RULES AND SYLLABUS

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​1. The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, studying or resident in the British Isles on 3rd May 2025 and born on or after 3rd May 1990

2. All competitors must submit with their entry a copy of their birth certificate or passport as evidence of date of birth.

3. Previous First Prize winners and anyone who has studied with any member of the Jury twelve months prior to the competition are not eligible to enter.

4. A maximum of 20 competitors will be selected for the Competition. Eight competitors will be selected for the semi-final and three for the recital final.

5. Competitors must be free from any commitments for the full duration of the Competition ie. from Friday evening, 2nd May 2025 to Monday morning 5th May 2025 and for 25th May 2025.

 

6. In the event that one of the finalists is unable to play in the final the winner of the fourth prize will be required to play. By applying for the competition all applicants will be treated as confirming that, in the event of them winning fourth prize, they will be able to play in the final at short notice.

7. The Competition reserves the right to refuse the entry of any competitor without giving a reason.

8. Competitor's applications should be supported by:

a. two referees, one of whom should be the competitor’s current piano teacher or if not applicable a reference from a distinguished member of the music profession. DIPC will ask for these references if required, you do not have to submit them with your application form.

b. a recent unedited audio recording of professional standard, 20 to 25 minutes, containing your performances of three contrasting works or movements. Concerto movements will not be accepted.

* Each piece in your audio must be recorded in one unedited take.

*Send your recording via wetransfer.com to Steve Taylor 2020dipc@gmail.com clearly labelled with your name and titles of the pieces played.

9. IMPORTANT DATES

 

a. Closing date for application forms and payments is 31st January 2025. No entries will be accepted UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES after 31st January 2025.

 

b. Recordings in support of applications will be accepted until 21st February 2025.

 

c. Changes to programmes will be accepted up to 21st March 2025.

 

d. The applicants who are selected to play in the competition will be required to supply details of the pieces they will play in the final FOURTEEN DAYS after being notified they have been selected to play in the preliminary round of the competition. Once the pieces for the final have been notified, no changes will be allowed.

10. Selections will be made by the DIPC Chairman and Artistic Adviser and the Chairman of the Jury. Their decision is final. No written or verbal feed-back will be provided.

11. Competitors must supply two copies of all music performed in the edition used.

12. It is left to the competitors’ discretion

 

a. whether to play from memory or not

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b. whether or not repeats are played.

13. The jury may stop competitors who exceed the time limit.

14. All prizes are awarded at the discretion of the jury.

15. The decision of the jury at all stages of the competition will be final. The jury will vote in each round by secret ballot, and without discussion. In the event of a tied place, a discussion will take place before a re-vote. 

16. The order of playing for the preliminary stage will be determined by a ballot. The same order will be kept for the semi-final. The jury will decide the order for the final.

17. The Competition reserves the right to replace any member of the jury who is unable to attend.

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