PIANO COMPETITION

The East Bay Music Festival Solo Piano Competition has been an annual event since 1976. It offers young musicians from Alameda and Contra Costa counties a chance to compete by age group for cash awards.
The 2026 Competition marks our 50th year!  

2026 ​Competition

Piano Competition Dates:
  Age Divisions II and III: Saturday, April 25, 2026
  Age Divisions I and IV:  Sunday, April 26, 2026

  Winners Concert: Sunday, May 10, 2026 2 p.m.

Location: Berkeley Piano Club, 2724 Haste St., Berkeley, CA

Application Deadline: March 23, 2026 or when audition slots are filled, whichever comes first. Online registration opens by February 23, 2026.  
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Entry Fee: $80 (non-refundable)

Competition Divisions by School Grades
Div I: Gr 1-4    Div II: Gr 5-7    Div III: Gr 8-9     Div IV: Gr 10-12

Performance Time Limit:
Div I: 6 min.    Div II: 8 min.    Div III: 10 min.   Div IV: 12 min.

Competition Rules: Download a pdf by clicking on the Brochure button to the right.  

Competition Co-chair: Jane Ou
Competition Contact:  [email protected]

2026 East Bay Music Festival Brochure

2026 Divisions I & IV Application - Opens February 23, 2026

2026 Divisions II & III Application - Opens February 23, 2026

​Payment of Entry Fee:
Please pay after you have submitted your application. Payment options are Zelle, check, or credit card. The application is complete only after the entry fee is received. 

Payment by Zelle: Send $80 payment directly to [email protected]. Include a message with the student's name. 

Payment by Check: Email our treasurer at [email protected] for instructions. 

Payment by credit card via Paypal: Enter the student's name in the space below, then click on the "Pay Now" button.  When you get to the "Pay with PayPal" screen, click on "Pay with debit or credit card.".  Please note that a $2.10 processing fee will be added on. 

​​2026 Piano Competition Rules 

1. Eligibility: All entrants must be residing in or enrolled in Alameda or Contra Costa County Schools in grades 1 through 12 at the time of the competition.
2. Repertoire: All entrants will perform two contrasting pieces from memory. One selection must be from the Baroque or Classical period, and one from the Romantic, Impressionist, or Contemporary period. (For purposes of the festival, Schubert is classified as Romantic.) Single movements from longer works are acceptable. Piano repertoire must be selected from original works written specifically for solo keyboard. Pieces written specifically for method books are not allowed. All music performed must have been published or copyrighted by recognized composers. Repertoire that involves touching the piano strings or any part of the inside of the piano is not acceptable. All repertoire is subject to approval by the EBMF competition committee and may not be changed once accepted.
3. Chopin Miniatures Special Prize: At the judges’ discretion, an additional Piano Technicians Guild Special Prize may be awarded to one entrant in each age division for best performance of a Chopin Miniatures piece: waltz, mazurka, prelude, impromptu, or nocturne. Please note that etudes do not qualify. All performers whose two-piece repertoire includes an approved Chopin Miniatures piece will be eligible to compete for this prize.  
4. All entrants should bring an original hardcopy of each of their two pieces for the judges. Photocopies of the music will not be permitted unless accompanied by written permission from the publisher. Downloaded music must be accompanied by evidence of purchase.
5. If an entrant’s repertoire exceeds the time limit, the judges will hear only portions of the works at their discretion. This will not affect the judges’ decision. The entrant is responsible for the entire repertoire. Do not precut.
6. The judges' decisions are final. Prize winners, including Honorable Mention recipients, will receive their awards and certificates at the Winners Concert. All prize winners except Honorable Mention winners must perform one of their two pieces (to be chosen by the judges) in the Winners Concert in order to receive their monetary awards.
7. The first-prize winners of each division are not eligible to compete in the following year in the same division. Entrants may not compete in a division beyond their grade level.
8. Performance schedule requests will be honored only when possible. Requests made after the entry application deadline will not be considered.
9. We reserve the right to cancel an event if there are not enough applicants or if there are health, safety, or other concerns.
10. Fees are not refundable unless the entry is rejected or the event is cancelled.
11. In the event that covid-19 becomes a public health concern, we reserve the right to institute safety requirements.