EMCY

⏳ Mark your calendars: Applications open October 1st! 🇨🇿🎹

Pianists up to 30 years old - you have exactly 3 months to finalise your applications for the 36th Smetana International Piano Competition!
Held in the beautiful city of Plzeň, Czech Republic, this prestigious biennial competition challenges pianists across three age categories to showcase their mastery, including mandatory works by Smetana.

The Details:
Where: Plzeň, Czech Republic (Conservatory of Plzen)
Competition Dates: 27 February – 5 March 2027
Age Limit: Up to 30 years old (divided into 3 categories)
Repertoire Rule: All rounds must be performed from memory and include works by B. Smetana!

🏆 Top Prize: CZK 50,000 (Third Category)
🟢 Applications Open: October 1, 2026
🛑 Final Deadline: December 20, 2026

📲 Head to emcy.org via the link in our bio to review the full repertoire requirements and get your documents ready for October 1st!
👇 Tag a pianist who needs to start preparing their Smetana pieces!

🌟 EMCY PRIZEWINNER SPOTLIGHT: SMILTĖ PETROŠIŪTĖ 🇱🇹🎻

From making her orchestral debut at just 12 years old to conquering international stages, Lithuanian cellist Smiltė Petrošiūtė is rapidly establishing herself as a bright young talent.
Currently studying at the Kauno Juozo Naujalio muzikos gimnazija under the guidance of Asta Krištaponienė, Smiltė’s dedication led to a major milestone this year: winning the prestigious EMCY Prize 2026 at the Nacionalinis Balio Dvariono konkursas! 🏆

Her competitive track record is extraordinary. She has recently won Grand Prix titles at the Paolo Barrasso and Citta di Latina competitions in Italy, alongside a commanding streak of First Prizes in Latvia, Italy, and Lithuania.
Beyond the competition circuit, Smiltė is an orchestral soloist, having performed with the Kaunas City Symphony, the Tallinn Music Academy String Orchestra, and the TASO Chamber Orchestra. She continually refines her artistry through masterclasses with legendary cellists, including David Geringas, Josephine Knight, and Romain Garioud.

As we continue spotlighting our incredible 2026 Prizewinners,, drop a 👏 in the comments to celebrate Smiltė’s outstanding dedication and artistry!
🔗 Read her full profile and discover more about our laureates at emcy.org (link in bio)

⏳ 3 months to apply: Piano Neuchâtel-VdT 2027! 🇨🇭🎹

Looking for your next international stage? Apply for the Concours International Piano Neuchâtel -Val de Travers, taking place 5–7 February 2027 in Switzerland!
This biennial competition, founded by Katja Avdeeva, welcomes pianists across two categories:
Category A: Participants born on or after February 7, 2011
Category B: Participants born on or after February 7, 1998

The Details:
📍 Venue: Conservatoire de musique neuchâtelois
🎥 Video Requirement: A single, unedited take (recorded within the last 12 months) with a fixed camera on your face and hands.
⏰ Deadline: 10 December 2026

📲 Head to emcy.org via the link in our bio to find all the information and competition details.

👇 Tag a pianist who should add this to their 2027 calendar!
📌 Save this post so you don’t miss the December 10 deadline.

From Nicosia to the Steinway Festival in Germany 🎹🇩🇪

If you’re a young pianist living in Cyprus under 17, the stage is set for you - the application window for the 15th Avantgarde PanCyprian Competition closes on October 17, 2026!
The First Prize winner receives an all-expenses-paid trip to represent Cyprus at the 22nd Steinway International Festival (2027) in Hamburg, with the final round broadcast live on national TV (CyBC / RIK).

The details:
📍 Where: Nicosia (28–30 October 2026)
🎂 Eligibility: Born on/after 1 Jan 2009 (Cypriot citizens & legal residents)
🎶 Repertoire: 2 solo pieces from different eras (max 12 min total)
⏰ Deadline: Saturday, 17 October 2026

📲 Ready to apply?
Tap the link in our bio to find the regulations for this Competition (or scan the QR code in the image)!

👇 Tag a pianist, teacher, or parent in Cyprus who shouldn’t miss this opportunity!
📌 Save this post so you have the details handy before Oct 17!

✨ EMCY PRIZEWINNER SPOTLIGHT: ARTHUR GRIGORYAN 🎹🇦🇲

Meet Armenian pianist Arthur Grigoryan, Second Prize winner of the prestigious X International Stasys Vainiūnas Piano Competition 2026 in Lithuania!

Born in Ararat, Arthur began his journey at the Gh. Saryan and P. Tchaikovsky Music Schools before studying under Prof. Armen Babakhanian at the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory. He was also part of Armenia’s “Meknark” national talent development program from 2013 to 2024.

Today, he continues his studies at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas with Prof. Alexander Paley, expanding a performance career that has already taken him across Europe and Asia and as well as a soloist with the Armenian National Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestras.

With top international awards from Riga, Richter, Paderewski, and Fujairah Competitions, Arthur continues to make his mark on the European stage.

Share your congratulations for Arthur in the comments!
🔗 Read his full profile and explore his repertoire at emcy.org

🇨🇭 READY TO TAKE THE STAGE IN SWITZERLAND? ✨

Mark your calendars! The prestigious Schweizerischer Jugendmusikwettbewerb (SJMW) CLASSICA 2027 will open for applications on November 1, 2026!
Founded in 1975 by the Tonhalle-Gesellschaft Zürich, this platform empowers young talents living in Switzerland and Liechtenstein to perform across regional stages and compete for the National Finals in Lucerne!

📍 Regional Stages: February 26-28, 2027 (Zürich & regional centers)
🏆 National Finals: April 8-11, 2027 (Lucerne)
⏰ Applications Open: November 1, 2026
⏳ APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 30, 2026

👤 Who Can Apply?
Young musicians aged 8 to 20
Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens worldwide
Permanent residents in Switzerland and Liechtenstein

✨ Prepare your program early - applications are open for only one month (Nov 1-30, 2026)!
👉 Full Rules: Head directly to the link in our bio!

📯✨ EMCY PRIZEWINNER SPOTLIGHT: TELMO ROCHA! 🇵🇹

Meet Portuguese horn player Telmo Rocha (b. 2003), an exceptional young brass talent making an extraordinary impact across Europe’s top orchestras! 🌟 Starting his musical journey at the Sociedade Filarmónica Rainha Santa Isabel das Doze Ribeiras and the Conservatório Regional de Angra do Heroísmo, Telmo graduated from the Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa under Paulo Guerreiro and Luís Vieira.

🏆 Awards & Major Achievements:
🥇 Prémio Jovens Músicos (2025): 1st Prize, EMCY Prize, and Prémio Adácio Pestana
🏆 Paços’ Premium International Competition: 1st Prize & Excellence Prize
🎓 Scholarships: Barry Tuckwell Foundation & Yamaha Music Europe Foundation
🎼 Orchestral Audition Successes (2025): Academist at the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Soloist A at Orquestra Sinfónica do Porto Casa da Música, and Co-Principal at Orquestra Gulbenkian

Telmo has been selected for both the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester and the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO), performing under the baton of world-renowned conductors including Antonio Pappano, Kirill Petrenko, Manfred Honeck, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, and Teodor Currentzis.
He has refined his artistry in masterclasses with horn legends including Radovan Vlatković, Sarah Willis, Stefan de Leval Jezierski, and Jörg Brückner.

Join us in congratulating Telmo on his stellar achievements and career! 👏✨

👉 Discover Telmo’s full prizewinner profile on our website via the link in bio!

✨ MEET EMCY PRIZE WINNER: EDWARD AHLBECK GLADER! 🎹🇸🇪

Swedish pianist Edward Ahlbeck Glader (b. 2007), an inspiring young talent across the international classical music stage! 🌟
Currently studying at the Hochschule für Musik Basel under Prof. Claudio Martínez Mehner, Edward began playing piano at age four and has developed into a remarkably compelling artist.

🏆 Major Highlights & Awards:
🥇 1st Prize - Polstjärnepriset 2026: Performed Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra.
🇪🇺 Eurovision Young Musicians 2026: Represented Sweden in Yerevan, Armenia - the first Swedish pianist selected in a decade!
🌟 Festival Appearances: Selected for the prestigious Verbier Festival Soloist Programme (2025), alongside appearances at the Helsingborg, Gothenburg, and Lev Natochenny Piano Festivals.
🏅 Competition Laureate: Prizewinner at PIANALE, Steinway & Sons Nordic Junior, MozArte Junior, Euregio Young Piano Award, and Gothenburg International Piano Competition.

💬 “Edward Ahlbeck Glader unites musical maturity with sincere playing and a passionate expression. His generous musicianship and strong charisma always feels spontaneous and his interpretation is created in the moment.” — Polstjärnepriset Jury

Edward has honed his craft under the guidance of renowned masters including Leif Ove Andsnes, Kirill Gerstein, Alexander Melnikov, Rena Shereshevskaya, and Yulianna Avdeeva.

Join us in celebrating Edward’s remarkable artistry and achievements! 👏✨
👉 Read Edward’s full prizewinner profile on our website via the link in bio!

⏰ ONLY 1 MONTH LEFT TO APPLY: Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte! 🎹🇨🇿

Ready to take your piano journey to the international stage? You have just one month left to enter the historic Virtuosi per musica di pianoforte competition in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic!
Since 1968, this competition has served as an essential launching pad for emerging talents across Europe and beyond, offering young musicians the chance to gain vital international performance experience, build lifelong musical connections, and showcase their artistry.

📍 Location: Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
📅 Competition Dates: November 18–20, 2026
⏰ APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 23, 2026
👤 Age Categories (open to pianists up to 15 years old):
Category I: up to 9 years old (single round)
Category II: 10–11 years old (two rounds)
Category III: 12–13 years old (two rounds)
Category IV: 14–15 years old (two rounds)

Step onto the stage and share your voice with an international audience. Don’t wait until the last minute to secure your spot! ✨
👉 Information & Registration: Tap the link in our bio or visit emcy.org for the details and application info!

✨ SAVE THE DATE: 3 MONTHS TO APPLY! 🎹🇩🇪

Calling all young pianists! The Robert Schumann International Competition Düsseldorf for Young Pianists is returning for its upcoming edition from March 30 to April 3, 2027, in Düsseldorf, Germany!
Organized by the Association of Friends and Sponsors of the Robert Schumann Hochschule, this prestigious biennial competition brings together exceptional pianists up to 20 years old across three rounds, culminating in a grand final round with orchestra at the Robert Schumann Saal.

⏰ Key Dates:
Applications Open: October 1, 2026
Application Deadline (3 months away!): November 20, 2026
Competition Dates: March 30 – April 3, 2027

👤 Age Categories:
Category A: up to 13 years (born after March 29, 2013)
Category B: 14 to 17 years (born after March 29, 2009)
Category C: 18 to 20 years (born after March 29, 2006)

🎥 Application Highlights:
Online registration opens October 1st and will require an unlisted YouTube video featuring one virtuoso Étude and another piece from the competition repertoire, along with your CV, program list, and photo.
🌟 Distinguished Jury:
Barbara Szczepanska, Michael Becker, Pavel Gililov, Rena Shereshevskaya, Joanna Ławrynowicz, Michail Markov, Zhe Tang, and Álvaro Teixeira Lopes.
Start planning your repertoire and recording your videos today! 🎬✨

👉 More details & guidelines: Tap the link in our bio or visit emcy.org!