Preliminary Round: January-March 2023 Video Submission
Application fee: Please check your own division.
- Candidates who qualify for the IPPA Outstanding Pianist Showcase can proceed directly to the semifinal round
- Candidates who made to the 2022 final round are qualified to proceed directly to the semifinal round
Semifinal Round: 2023 March – May
In Person Application fee: Please check your own division. | Online Division Application Fee: $60
Semifinal Round In Person Locations:
- United States: Lawrence, KS; Charlotte, NC; Fairfield, CT
- Canada: Toronto，Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton
- China: Beijing, Shanghai, Zhuhai, Macau
- Indonesia: Surabaya
- Argentina: Buenos Aires
- Paraguay: Asuncion
- Brazil: São Paulo
- Online ( video submission) Online participants will be adjudicated separately.
Final Round: July 30th-31st 2023 (In-person)
Application Deadline: June 20th, 2023
Address: Via S Stefano, 1, 62019 Recanati MC, Italy
Online Final Round: June 20-30th, 2023
Online Application Deadline: June 10th, 2023
For finalists who participate virtually, the IPPA Conero team will schedule a performance time with them. Available times will fall between June 20-June 30th. No pre-recording allowed, it will be a live performance. The online Final Round will be adjudicated separately from the in-person Final Round. The awards will also be different.
Final Round Application Fee:
In-person Final round: $150 for Young Artist Category/ $180 for Professional Artist Category and Chamber Music Category.
Online Final Round: $80 for Young Artist Category / $100 for Professional Artist Category and Chamber Music Category.
Update Repertoire/Recording
IPPA Conero International Piano Competition
Categories and Repertoire
Categories and Repertoire
Group A: Age 16 to 17
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 13 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group B: Age 14 to 15
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 7 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 12 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group C: Age 12 to 13
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 6 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round:1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 11 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group D: Age 10 to 11
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 6 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 7 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 10 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group E: Age 8 to 9
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 5 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 6 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: 1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 8 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group F: Age 6 to 7
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 4 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 5 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round:1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 6 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group G: Age under 6
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 3 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 4 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round:1 or 2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 5 mins. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group A: Adult (Age 18–32)
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 12 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 15 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: A recital of 25 to 30 minutes which includes at least 3 works of different styles. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group B: Age 14-17
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 10 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: A recital of 17 to 20 minutes which includes at least 3 works of different styles. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Group C: Age 10-13
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: A recital of 16 to 19 minutes which includes at least 3 works of different styles. Only one piece is allowed to be the same as previous round.
Adult Piano Duo / Duets: Average age above 18 years old
Preliminary Round :One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: Free choice from three different periods; one of them must be the Classical period. No more than 20 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Youth Piano Duo / Duets:
Group A: Average age 13-17
Preliminary Round: One piece of choice, not exceeding the max duration 6 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1 or 2 pieces of choice, not exceeding the max duration 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece(s) as previous round.
Final Round: 1 or 2 choices not exceeding the max duration of 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Group B: Average Age 8-12
Preliminary Round: One piece of choice, not exceeding the max duration 5 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1 or 2 pieces of choice, not exceeding the max duration 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece(s) as previous round.
Final Round: 1 or 2 choices not exceeding the max duration of 10 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Adult Chamber Group:(Piano with string or woodwind) Average ages above 18 years old.
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 8 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 12 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: Free choices from three different periods. No more than 20 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Youth Chamber Group: (Piano with string or woodwind) Average ages no more than 18 years old
Preliminary Round: One piece of free choice, no more than 6 mins.
Semifinal Round: 1-2 pieces of free choice, no more than 8 mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
Final Round: 1-2 free choices not exceeding the max duration of 12mins. It is allowed to be the same piece as previous round.
All contestants must meet the age requirements at July 1st, 2023. Their current age before July 1st, 2023, will determine the category they must compete in. For example, if the student turns 18 on July 1st or after, he/she will compete in the adult category.
FINALS AWARDS (In-person final )
- Concert Contract
The first-place winners in professional category will have the opportunity to play with orchestra for the opening ceremony in 2023 IPPA Piano Festival. After discussing with the competition committee, the winners of the Professional Category will be eligible to sign a contract as an IPPA Artist, and engaged to perform recital tours in Italy, China, Australia or the U.S. IPPA will be responsible for the advertisement and promotion of the IPPA Engagement Artist.
- Cash Prizes，Certificates，Trophies and Medals.
Professional Artist Category – Adult (Group A)
The First Place Winner will get 1000 USD, a trophy and certificate of award.
The Second Place Winner will get 800 USD, a trophy and certificate of award.
The Third Place Winner will get 300 USD, a trophy and certificates of award.
Professional Artist Category – Youth (Groups B/C)
The First Place Winner of each group will get 500 USD, a trophy and certificates of award.
The Second Place Winner of each group will get 300 USD, a trophy and certificates of award.
The Third Place Winner of each group will get 200 USD, a trophy and certificates of award.
Young Artist Category
The First Place Winner of each group will get 200 USD, medal and certificates of award.
The Second Place Winner of each group will get 100 USD, medal and certificates of award.
The Third Place Winner of each group will get 50 USD, medal and certificates of award.
Chamber Music Category
The First Place Winner of each group will get 200 USD, medal and certificates of award.
Note: please be aware, all cash prizes for the IPPA Conero Piano Competition will be delivered via check (U.S. only) or bank transfer. PayPal is also available. Prize recipients are responsible for paying any money transfer fees that may be incurred; depending on the transfer method, the amount received may be less than the face value of the prize.
3. All finalist candidates will receive detailed performance comments from the jury committee.
4. Recommendation letters
The member of Jury Panel would provide recommendation letters for winners, for the purpose of competition application or graduate school application.
5. Special prizes and scholarship opportunities.
Some specific outstanding performances which attract attention from the jury, will be awarded Most Distinguished Performance of (name of piece).
FINALS AWARDS (Online Final )
Honor Recital and Award Ceremony: The first and second place winners in all categories will be invited to Recanati, Italy for the Award Ceremony and Honor Recital on July 31st. All participants will receive a digital certificate and detailed comments from the jury. There are no fees to participate in the Honor Recital, but all invited prizewinners must cover their travel and accommodation expenses.
Cash Prizes and Scholarships:
- Professional Artist Category – Adult (Group A):
- 1st Place Winner: $1200 USD (including $200 cash award and $1000 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- 2nd Place Winner: $600 USD (including $100 cash award and $500 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- 3rd Place Winner: $300 USD (including $50 cash award and $250 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- Professional Artist Category – Youth (Groups B/C):
- 1st Place Winner: $600 USD (including $100 cash award and $500 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- 2nd Place Winner: $400 USD (including $80 cash award and $320 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- 3rd Place Winner: $200 USD (including $50 cash award and $150 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- Young Artist Category:
- 1st Place Winner of each group: $200 USD (including $50 cash award and $150 festival scholarship) for either the 2023 or 2024 Festival.
- Chamber Music Category:
- 1st Place Winner of each group: $100 USD cash prize.
Competition Regulations
- The 2023 Conero International Piano Competition has three rounds: Preliminary Round, Semifinal round and Final Round.
- The Preliminary round and Semifinal round of the 2023 Conero International Piano Competition has Southeast Asia Division, China Division, United States Division, Canada Division, Australia Division, South America Division and Online Division (For all other countries). Please double-check the dates and rules in your division.
- All three rounds will apply the common rules and regulations for all candidates.
- The semi-final round and final round are voluntary; eligible candidates should complete the application and submit the fee before the deadline.
- If applying for more than one category in the competition, applicants must complete separate applications and pay the required fees for each category.
- All divisions in the semifinal and final round should be performed from memory except Chamber Division.
- Piano concertos, self-composed pieces, or transcriptions done by the performer are not accepted.
- Repeats are not required except the place marked with D.C.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
- Changes would not be allowed once the repertoires are submitted.
- The Conero International Piano Festival retains copyright of performance video, audio, and pictures of the competition and the award ceremony. The festival has the legal right to use these materials.
- The competition committee reserves all the right for the final interpretation of the regulations.
- Competition awards will be subject to applicable taxes and transfer fees. Recipients must complete tax paperwork when required in order to receive the award.
- Candidates in the first round and semifinal rounds will compete only against candidates in their own divisions (E.g., Canada candidates will compete against Canada candidates). The final round will be international and will include all selected finalists from all divisions.
- Candidates are required to join the division they reside in. If they do not reside in the specific divisions, they will need to join the Other Countries division.
- From the semifinal round, every Division’s candidates need to achieve Silver Award and Gold Award to proceed to the final round. This will apply to all of the categories.
- Finalists who participate online semifinal and online final round, will receive electronic certificates and comments.