NSMTA Piano Competition

The Piano Competition is designed for ambitious piano students seeking to perform at a high artistic and technical level. By performing for expert adjudicators, students push their skills further, gain confidence, and receive meaningful feedback to guide their development. This event is especially ideal for students looking to strengthen their performance experience and musical résumé.

Winners in each division are invited to perform in the NSMTA Winners Recital, held the weekend following the competition. All motivated students are encouraged to participate!

Competition Co-Chairs: Lindsey Baer and Larry Baer, competition@nsmta.org

ANNOUNCING THE 2025 PIANO COMPETITION WINNERS!

2025 Piano Competition

Competition Date: May 4, 2025

Competition Fee: $35 per student (non-refundable)

Location: Music Conservatory of Illinois, 2809 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201

Registration Dates: Friday, February 28 through Monday, April 14

For all Participants: Read the 2025 Piano Competition Letter

2025 Piano Competition Repertoire

Primary:

  1. Tchaikovsky - “Baba Yaga” (The Witch), Op. 39 No. 20, from “Album for the Young”

  2. Choice piece* (see below) 

Elementary:

  1. Bach - Gigue from Partita No. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825 (please play both repeats)

  2. Choice piece* (see below)

Junior:

  1. Ravel - Sonatine, 1st movement (please play the repeat)

  2. Choice piece* (see below) 

Senior:

  1. Albeniz - “El Puerto”,  from Iberia, Book 1

  2. Choice piece* (see below) 

*In addition to the required piece, teachers should choose a piece of a contrasting character and stylistic period. The required piece should be played first, in its entirety. The nonrequired piece should be played afterwards, and may or may not be heard in its entirety, as time allows.

For NSMTA Members

To register students for the Piano Competition, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to the Member Portal

  2. Go to Account Settings and verify your mailing address and phone number.

  3. Add students to your Student Roster by entering their name and contact information. If your students are already listed in your Student Roster from previous events, there is no need to add them again.

  4. Once registration opens, the 2025 Piano Competition will appear in your Active Events list. From the event dashboard, click Register next to a student’s name and submit the registration form.

  5. When ready to check out, go to the Payment Cart to make your payment and complete the registration(s). Note: fees are non-refundable.

  6. Your registered students will now appear in the Registered column.

If you’re setting up your Member Portal account for the first time, visit the Member Portal How-Tos page for step-by-step instructions.

For Non-Members

Piano teachers who are not members of NSMTA are welcome to enter students in the NSMTA Piano Competition.

  • If you have previously created a Member Portal account for another NSMTA event, you may log in using your existing username and password.

  • If you have not yet created a Member Portal account, please complete the Non-Member Portal Account Request Form (found below). You will receive an email from admin@nsmta.org with instructions to set up your account.

Once your account is activated, follow the same registration steps outlined for NSMTA members. A $25 non-member fee will be applied to your payment cart. Note: All Piano Competition registrations must go through the teacher and not the parent.

See Piano Competition Rules and Guidelines for more information.

Piano Competition Registration

Piano Competition Rules and Guidelines

Competition Categories

  • There are four Competition Divisions: Primary (Grades 1-3), Elementary (Grades 4-6), Junior (Grades 7-9) and Senior (Grades 10-12).

  • Four judges (two for each division) will be selected by the Piano Competition Committee. They will be a) a piano faculty member of a college or conservatory, and/or b) an independent piano teacher who holds at least a Master’s Degree in Music and is experienced in judging.

  • Each entrant will be assigned a participant number prior to the contest. The names of the students and teachers will be unknown to the judges.

Eligibility

  • The applicant’s contest division is determined by his/her grade in school. Teachers will be asked to verify this information at the time of registration. Failure to abide by the competition rules may result in disqualification.

  • If your student was entered at a lower level last year, you may enroll your student in two different levels with appropriate pieces. Two fees will need to be paid.

Registration Rules

  • NSMTA members whose current year’s membership dues were paid by October 31, 2024 are eligible to enter students. Non-members or members who missed the dues deadline must pay an additional $25 fee which is automatically added to the shopping cart upon checkout.

  • A maximum of three students per teacher may be entered in each division.

  • Registration and applicant fees will be accepted via the NSMTA Member Portal during the published registration dates.

  • No late entries will be accepted.

Participant Rules

  • All required pieces must be played from memory. Memorized pieces must be performed in the order listed on the Competition Repertoire list. Incorrect repertoire will disqualify the entrant.

  • Students must bring music for their choice piece. They do not need to bring music for their required piece.

  • First place winners may compete again in the same division.

Awards

  • Prizes awarded are - 1st place, 2nd place and 3rd place. These winners will be given the opportunity to be featured in the NSMTA May Winners Recital and be given a trophy. All contestants receive a participation ribbon.

  • Judges may declare "no winner" in any or all divisions if performances are substandard. Their decisions are final.

  • Winners will be announced on the NSMTA Piano Competition Website as well as through the participants instructor.

Questions about the Competition?

For more information, fill out the form to contact the Competition Chairs, Lindsey Baer and Larry Baer.