Celebrating Our Inaugural Year!

The Summit Piano competition has been designed to offer students of Summit County and surrounding areas an opportunity to compete locally in a supportive and encouraging environment, as well as have an opportunity to practice and refine the skills and art of performance. Such events are an opportunity to develop important life skills such as goal setting, preparation, recalling information under pressure, presenting oneself with poise, and accepting results no matter the outcome with grace and sportsmanship to other competitors.

In its inaugural year, this competition will be held via video recording. Depending on the entry size, winners and honorable mentions will be invited to play at the Winner’s Concert where placements and awards will be announced. If an invitee is unable to attend this concert, your teacher will deliver your award. Permission to share your audition at the event may be requested.

Teachers should enter students in the level they feel is appropriate for the selected music (see general guide below), however please keep in mind that judges may move students up or down should they feel a student is not in the appropriate category. Performers will be be judged according to their complete performance. Presentation from announcement to bow will be considered. 

This competition will allow students of all levels to test their development and receive constructive feedback from knowledgeable judges while also receiving recognition for their efforts and progress each year.
General Rules
  1. All performances must be memorized
  2. Time Limit per class
  3. All jury decisions are final
  4. Jury may elect to move entries to the appropriate division
  5. $12 Entry fee is non-refundable
  6. Entries are limited to ages 3-18
  7. First place winners from a previous year must compete at a higher level the following year up through Intermediate I. All other students may remain in the same category for a maximum of two years, which the exception of Advanced II.
  8. Requirements:
    1. Artist Class: Two (2) Selections Required
      1. Original piece composed prior to 1920 (this includes traditional American composers such as Joplin) or a post-1920 original piece composed in the western classical tradition (see exception 2 for restrictions).
      2. Free Choice may be any composer, era, or genre, including reductions, arrangements, etc.
      3. Choices must be contrasting in style and composer.
    2. Exception 1: Preparatory and Elementary I students may choose any original work composed after 1920 for their first selection (these are often found in method books or composer collections).
    3. Exception 2: Teachers must contact the Competition chair to confirm eligibility of selections composed after 1920 for Elementary II to Advanced II entrants. Be advised, this will not typically include selections from method books, but could include post 1920 compositions found in repertoire collections (ex: Gillock, Gershwin, Han Jiang, Beach).
  9. Entry Categories:
    Preparatory Division: Limit 3-4 minutes
    Elementary I & II: Limit 5-6 minutes
    Intermediate I & II: Limit 7-8 minutes
    Advanced I & II: Limit 10-12 minutes
    1. Organizers may combine categories based on entries. Participants will be judged on quality of presentation according to their level, not against more advanced students.
  10. Awards: 1st-3rd place will receive a percentage of: entry fees + any donations toward awards. Judge’s Choice will receive a $50.00 prize. All entrants will receive a certificate of achievement and judge’s commentary.
  11. Original Music: Original music must be provided with measures numbered either written in or at the start of each line. Details regarding submission will be provided to you by your teacher. Music without appropriate measure numbers will be returned and performance will be bumped until notated as required. Public domain music must be stated, including website information about where it was acquired. Digitally purchased music must have purchase verified on the music or accompanied by the purchase receipt.

General Guidelines:
  • CLASSES:
    • Preparatory: Beginner students in preparatory level music. This music will typically be pre-reading, primer to beginning level 1 method levels, NFMC levels PP-P1, etc.
    • Elementary I: This music will typically range in difficulty from later Level 1 method books through Level 2, NFMC Levels P2-P4, Snell Level 1, etc.
    • Elementary II: This music will typically range in difficulty from Level 3-4 method books, NFMC E1-E3, Snell Level 2-3, etc.
    • Intermediate I: This music will range in difficulty from Level 5 method books, NFMC E4-Med, Snell Levels 4-5, etc.
    • Intermediate II: This music will match in difficulty to NFMC MD1-MD3, Snell Level 5-6, etc.
    • Advanced I: This music will typically match in difficulty to NFMC D1-D2, Snell Levels 6-8, etc.
    • Advanced II: This music will typically match in difficulty to NFMC VD1-MAII, Snell Levels 8-10, etc. Students may compete in this category repeatedly until they age out.

  • Video Submission:
    • Both selections must be recorded on the same video.
    • Videos should be uploaded to YouTube using either the “public” or “anyone with link” setting.
    • When uploading, do not select the “for kids” option. This will allow the organizer to create a playlist for the judges. Anyone with a video permitted “for kids” will be requested to change the settings immediately upon request.
    • All participants may remove the video or change it’s privacy status on the day of the Winner’s Concert.

  • Entry Submission:
    • Links and other requested materials should be emailed. Please see link (envelope) below. 
    • Entry is open (see button below). Entry closes on May 20, 2026.
    • All materials must be submitted using the email link below (envelope) by May 20, 2026.
    • Payment may be made through your teacher who will send one payment to the program. All payments must be received no later than May 25, 2026.

Our Future!

Coming Fall 2026
  • Composition: Composers may compete in one of two categories:
    • 1) Original Work
    • 2) Arrangement/Transcription
  • A score must be provided for judges, either clearly notated by hand or produced using a software program (such as Musescore, Sibelius or Finale). Students will be asked to perform the piece they have composed, or with approval a designated performer, and should be able to briefly talk about what inspired the piece or what it’s about. 

Coming in 2027
  • Solo Class: Entrants of this class will play one (1) selection from memory. This selection can be of any style, genre, or era.
  • Duet Class: Entrants of this class will play two (2) selections. Selections must be contrasting in style and composer and must be a published work.