Piano competition

1. Organization

The Cantabile Youth Piano Competition is held every two years. The competition consists of a preliminary round and a final.

The preliminary rounds will take place during the weekends of January 25-26, 2025 and February 1-2, 2025 in the Music Studio of DE SINGEL, Desguinlei 25, 2018 Antwerp.

The final will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, in the Blue Hall of DE SINGEL.

2. General Entry Requirements

Eligible for the competition are all young people who live or study in Belgium and who have not reached the age of

• 13 years for the lower grade,
• 16 years for the middle grade, and
• 19 years for the higher grade

by January 1, 2025.

By registering, the participant accepts the rules of the Cantabile Youth Piano Competition 2025 without reservation.

3. Registration

Each participant registers for the grade they deem most suitable.

Candidates who were declared laureate-finalist during the previous Cantabile Youth Piano Competition may re-register in the same grade, except for the winners.

Registration is valid after receipt of:

• The registration form with contact details, a photocopy of the participant’s ID card, and the program via the form on our website.
• The payment of the registration fee of €40 to account number BE58 4567 0778 5179 of Cantabile VZW.

All of this must be completed before December 1, 2024. The registration fee is non-refundable.

The competition management reserves the right to refuse any application that does not comply with the rules.

4. Competition Procedure

The competition is public.

The order of performances is determined by a draw.

Participants will receive a notification by email at least one month before the start of the competition.

Candidates should be aware that the time stated in the notification email may be moved up by up to half an hour.

The teacher is not allowed to be on stage during the performance.

The results will be announced and posted on the website on the last day of the competition.

5. Program

Category A (Maximum duration 7 minutes)

1. At least one piece from Bach’s “Klavierbüchlein für A.M. Bach.”
2. One or more pieces of the candidate’s choice.
3. Mandatory piece

Category B (Maximum duration 10 minutes)

1. A technical etude.
2. At least one two-part invention by J.S. Bach.
3. One or more pieces of the candidate’s choice.
4. Mandatory piece

Category C (Maximum duration 20 minutes)

1. A virtuosic etude.
2. At least one three-part invention by J.S. Bach.
3. A work from the Classical period.
4. A Romantic, Impressionistic, or contemporary work.
5. Mandatory piece

All works in all categories must be performed from memory. Exceptions may be requested.

6. The Jury

Composition of the Jury

The jury members are appointed by the board of directors.

The jury consists of a chairperson and a group of at least 4 members, composed of distinguished musicians.

The jury is assisted by a secretary.

The chairperson oversees the orderly conduct of the competition; the chairperson does not participate in the scoring unless there is a conflict. The secretary does not participate in the scoring.

Evaluation and Deliberation

The jury makes its decision independently. Deliberations are confidential, and the results are final and cannot be contested.

A jury member does not participate in the scoring or deliberation of a candidate who is or has been their student within the past three years.

Ranking of Participants

Preliminary rounds:

• 85 to 100 points: Laureate of the Cantabile Piano Competition.
• 80 to 85 points: High distinction.
• 70 to 79 points: Distinction.
• 60 to 69 points: Passed.

The 12 candidates with the highest scores will be declared laureate-finalists.

7. Appeal

The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be contested.

No appeal is possible regarding the organizational conditions, the procedure, or the results of the competition.

By participating in the competition, one accepts the provisions of these rules without reservation.

The competition management is not responsible for any physical or material damage resulting from participation in or attendance at the competition.

All matters not covered by these rules will be decided by the competition management.

8. Prizes

For laureates and laureate-finalists:

• Recitals and concerts organized by Cantabile.

For laureate-finalists:

• Numerous additional special prizes.

The competition not only gives young pianists (and their teachers) a goal to work towards but also gives them a chance to showcase themselves to a wider audience. They meet in a shared passion, which also makes it an unforgettable and instructive experience. Laureates and finalists also get the chance to perform on various stages in Flanders, both solo and in chamber music (see our annual review, among others).

And of course, also at Cantabile, participating is more important than winning!