2026 - The 9th MELBOURNE Pacific Piano Open Competition (Online)
Important DATES:
Closing date for application and video recording upload: May 09, 2026 ( 23:59 pm Melbourne, Australia )
Festival and Gala Concert - Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne Pacific Piano Festival ( August 8 - 9, 2026 ) - 10am to 5pm
Gala Concert ( August 9, 2026 ) - 2:30pm
3 MAIN CATEGORIES
*PIANO CONCERTO / PIANO DUET / PIANO SOLO *
1. Piano Concerto Category
Contestants in the Piano Concerto Category must select and perform one movement from the following concertos：
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K.488
Haydn: Piano Concerto in D Major, Hob XVIII/11
Age Categories :
Junior Class ( 14 years and under ) : born on or after May 10, 2011
Senior Class ( 18 years and under ) : born on or after May 10, 2007
Tertiary Class ( 25 years and under ) : Current university or conservatory music students, born on or after 10 May, 2000
Competition Format and Requirements :
Participants must submit a video recording of their chosen concerto movement.
Performance may be accompanied by piano or played as solo piano.
All performances must be memorised (no sheet music allowed).
The Entry Fee for Junior, Senior and Tertiary classes is AUD $380* each.
The top three winners from each category will be invited to perform live with the Melbourne Arts Orchestra in Melbourne, Australia on 09/08/2026. Should any of these winners be unable to attend, the next highest-scoring contestant will be offered the opportunity.
* Please note that an additional fee is required for those performing with the orchestra. *
2. Piano Duet Category
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Participants may select one piece ( Any period), two players, maximum performance time 12 minutes.
Entry Fee: AUD $280
3. PIANO SOLO CATEGORY
Free Choice Class :
Age 5 or under (born on or after May 10, 2020) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 3 minutes
Entry Fee : AUD $120
Age 6 or under (born on or after May 10, 2019) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 4 minutes
Entry Fee : AUD $120
Age 8 or under (born on or after May 10, 2017) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 6 minutes Entry Fee : AUD $150
Age 10 or under (born on or after May 10, 2015) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 6 minutes Entry Fee : AUD $150
Age 12 or under (born on or after May 10, 2013) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 6 minutes Entry Fee : AUD $150
Age 14 or under (born on or after May 10, 2011) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 8 minutes Entry Fee : AUD $180
Age 16 or under (born on or after May 10, 2009) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 8 minutes Entry Fee: AUD $180
Age 18 or under (born on or after May 10, 2007) Contestants may select one piece, with a maximum performance time of 10 minutes
Entry Fee : AUD $200
Piano Examination Repertoire Class :
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire :Each contestant may select one piece from any recognized examination board. Include : ABRSM, Trinity, AMEB, ANZCA or CCM. Pieces must be from the 2024–2026 syllabuses.
Entry Fee :
Initial Grade AUD $120
Grade 1 AUD $120
Grade 2 AUD $ 120
Grade 3 AUD $ 140
Grade 4 AUD $ 140
Grade 5 AUD $ 160
Grade 6 AUD $ 160
Grade 7 AUD $ 180
Grade 8 AUD $ 180
Diploma Class :
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant selects one piece. Maximum performance time is 12 minutes, and memorization is required. Include : ARSM, DipABRSM, LRSM, FRSM, ATCL, LTCL, Certificate of performance AmusA, LMusA.
Entry Fee: AUD $280
Sonatina Class :
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant selects one movement. Maximum performance time is 10 minutes.
Entry Fee: AUD $ 220
Sonata Class :
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant selects one movement. Maximum performance time is 10 minutes.
Entry Fee: AUD $ 220
Open Class for all pianists :
Eligibility : 36 years old and under. Contestants must be born after May 9, 1990.
Repertoire : Each contestant selects one piece. Maximum performance time is 15 minutes, and memorization is required.
Entry Fee: AUD $380
Open Class for Teachers :
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant may select one piece. Maximum performance time is 12 minutes, and memorization is required.
Entry Fee: AUD $380
Studio Ghibli Inspired Piano Class :
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant may choose any piano arrangement from a Studio Ghibli film. ( My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Kiki’s Delivery Service, Castle in the Sky, Ponyo )Maximum performance time is 6 minutes.
Entry Fee: AUD $150
Special Needs Class :
Eligibility : No age limit. Medical document required.
Repertoire : Each contestant may select one piece. This class encourages diverse musical expression and is a platform for participants of all abilities to showcase their talent and love for music. Maximum performance time is 6 minutes.
Entry Fee: AUD $150 - All participants receive a trophy in this class
Chinese Music Class - Works by Dr. Wanghua Chu
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant may select one piece.
· Intermediate section: Fisher boy of the South Sea
· Advance section: Love Song (Sichuan)
Entry Fee: AUD $150
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC CLASS - WORKS BY DR. ANDRIAN PERTOUT
Eligibility : No age limit.
Repertoire : Each contestant may select one piece.
· Intermediate section : Estrelita for Toy Piano
· Advance section : Exposiciones for Toy Piano
Entry Fee: AUD $150
How to EntER
Complete the Online Application Form - ( https://www.eastwest-arts.org/s/Application-Form-2026-QR-code.png )
Upload your Video Recordings - On or before May 9, 2026 - 23:59pm Melbourne Australia Time Zone
Pay the application fee - Choose either *bank transfer or *PayPal. ( PAYMENT 2026 — East West Arts Association )
For bank transfer or PayPal, please include the contestant’s full name and class name in the payment details. and email a copy of your bank slip to info@eastwest-arts.org 4 Receive Confirmation - A confirmation letter email will be sent when your entry is successfully completed.
Receive Confirmation - A confirmation letter email will be sent when your entry is successfully completed.
Festival & Gala Concert
Details : Melbourne Pacific Piano Festival and Gala Concert Information — East West Arts Association
Melbourne Pacific Piano Festival ( August 8 - 9 , 2026 ) - Open to all
All contestants are welcome to attend the Melbourne Pacific Piano Festival in Melbourne, a celebration of piano music with workshops, masterclasses, performances and orchestra rehearsal viewing ( Participants under 10 years old are not permitted to attend to avoid disturbance )
Gala Concert ( August 9, 2026 )
The top 3 winners in each class will have the special opportunity to perform at the Gala Concert, a highlight of the festivlal.
Special Highlight : The top 3 winners in the Piano Concerto Category will have the extraordinary opportunity to perform with the Melbourne Arts Orchestra during the Gala Concert.
