2026
The Potomac International Piano Competition
Official Rules and Guidelines
The following Rules & Guidelines outline the eligibility requirements, competition format, repertoire requirements, video submission policies, adjudication procedures, awards, and other important information for participants.
Please read all rules carefully before submitting an application.
I. Competition Overview
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The Potomac International Piano Competition (PIPC) is an international online piano competition open to young pianists from around the world.
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The competition aims to encourage artistic excellence, promote musical exchange, and provide a platform for young musicians to showcase their talents.
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The competition is open to participants ages 4–18 and is conducted entirely through video submission.
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To maximize accessibility while maintaining a high standard of adjudication, the competition adopts a single application, two-round adjudication format.
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Participants pay only one application fee. Those selected to advance to the Final Round will not be required to pay any additional competition fees.
II. Eligibility
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The competition is open to piano students of all nationalities.
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Participants must be between the ages of 4 and 18.
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Age eligibility is determined as of October 15, 2026.
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Each participant may enter only one age division.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to request proof of age or other supporting documentation at any stage of the competition.
III. Age Divisions
Division Age
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
Ages 4–6
Ages 7–8
Ages 9–10
Ages 11–12
Ages 13–14
Ages 15–16
Ages 17–18
IV. Application
FeeApplication Fee: USD $125
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The application fee must be paid at the time of submission.
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Application fees are non-refundable.
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Applications without payment will not be processed.
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Any fees charged by payment providers are the responsibility of the applicant.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to reject incomplete applications or applications without payment.
V. Competition Format
Competition Highlights
✓ One Application
✓ One-Time Fee
✓ No Additional Fee for Final Round Advancement
✓ Written Adjudicator Feedback for Every Participant
✓ Electronic Certificate for Every Participant
The competition consists of two rounds.
Preliminary Round
All submitted videos will be reviewed by the Preliminary Round Jury.
Adjudicators will assign one of the following ratings:
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Excellent
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Good
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Needs More Work
Written comments will be provided for each participant.
Selected participants will advance to the Final Round.
Advancement decisions will be determined by the Competition Committee based on the recommendations and evaluations of the Preliminary Round Jury.
Final Round
Finalists will be evaluated by an international panel of distinguished pianists, university professors, and professional musicians.
No additional video submission is required.
The same video submitted at the time of application will be used for both the Preliminary and Final Rounds.
Final awards will be determined based on the results of the Final Round adjudication.
VI. Competition Timeline
2026
August 1 – October 15
Competition officially opens and applications are accepted.
October 15 – Early November
Preliminary Round Adjudication.
November
Final Round Adjudication.
December
Competition results announced.
Electronic certificates and written adjudications distributed.
All application materials must be submitted before the deadline.
Late submissions may not be accepted.
VII. Repertoire Requirements
Group A – Group C (Ages 4–10)
Participants may perform one or two pieces.
Group D – Group G (Ages 11–18)
Participants must perform two pieces.
All repertoire must be performed as solo piano works.
Repertoire from any musical period or style is permitted, including Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, Contemporary, and other works appropriate for solo piano performance.
All participants must include at least one piece with a duration of five minutes or less.
Repeats are optional and may be performed at the participant’s discretion.
Maximum total performance time:
Division Age
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Group G
5 minutes
6 minutes
6 minutes
10 minutes
12 minutes
12 minutes
15 minutes
The same repertoire and video submission will be used for both rounds of the competition.
VIII. Video Submission Requirements
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Each participant must submit a competition video.
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Videos must be uploaded to YouTube and submitted via a valid link.
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Recordings must have been made within twelve (12) months prior to the competition deadline.
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Videos must accurately represent the participant’s actual performance.
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Each piece must be presented in a complete, unedited performance without cuts, splices, or alterations.
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The performer’s face, hands, and feet must remain clearly visible throughout the recording.
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The camera must remain in a fixed position during the performance.
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Multiple works may be submitted through separate video links.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to request additional information regarding submitted recordings.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to reject recordings that do not comply with competition requirements.
IX. Adjudication Criteria
Preliminary Round
Participants will receive one of the following ratings:
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Excellent
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Good
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Needs More Work
Written comments will be provided.
Final Round
Final Round adjudication will be based on the following categories:
Category Points
Technical Proficiency
Musical Understanding
Tone & Sound Quality
Artistic Expression
25
25
25
25
Total Score: 100 Points
X. Awards
Division Awards
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Gold Prize
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Silver Prize
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Bronze Prize
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Honorable Mention
Special Awards
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Outstanding Teacher Award
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Excellent Teacher Award
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Outstanding Organization Award
The Jury and Competition Committee reserve the right to adjust award distributions based on the number of participants, overall performance level, and adjudication results.
Awards may be shared, reduced, withheld, or left vacant when deemed appropriate.
XI. Results and Certificates
Competition results will be published on the official website.
All participants will receive:
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An Official Electronic Certificate
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Written Adjudicator Feedback
Selected prize winners may be featured through media coverage and promotional opportunities. Award recipients and outstanding participants may be highlighted through official media partners and competition publicity channels.
Selected prize winners may be invited to participate in the 2027 Washington International Young Artists Music Series (WIYAMS) and perform alongside WIYAMS Artists from around the world.
Final invitations will be determined by the Competition Committee based on artistic merit and program needs.
XII. Media and Publicity Release
Submission of an application constitutes permission for the Competition Committee to use submitted photographs, videos, recordings, names, and competition-related materials for promotional, educational, archival, media, and marketing purposes without additional compensation.
XIII. Code of Conduct
Participants, parents, and teachers are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respectfully, and honestly.
The Competition Committee reserves the right to disqualify any participant who engages in harassment, misconduct, false representation, malicious attacks on the competition, or violations of competition rules.
Awards and competition results may be revoked when appropriate.
XIV. Additional Provisions
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Application fees are non-refundable.
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Participants are responsible for ensuring that all submitted video links remain accessible throughout the adjudication period.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to verify eligibility and the authenticity of submitted recordings.
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All adjudication results, advancement decisions, and award determinations are final and are not subject to appeal, review, or reconsideration.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to modify competition procedures, schedules, adjudication processes, and other competition-related arrangements when necessary.
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The Competition Committee reserves the right to adjust the number, level, and distribution of awards based on competition circumstances.
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Participants who violate competition rules or submit false information may be disqualified and have their results revoked.
XV. Final Authority
The Potomac International Piano Competition Competition Committee reserves the right of final interpretation and decision regarding all competition rules, adjudication procedures, awards, and competition-related matters.
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