Brin d'herbe International Piano Competition of Orléans for Youth

Rules & repertoire

Registration & fee

• Registration is open through 2 February 2027 inclusive. The organizer does not state a cutoff hour. Applicants must have been born on or after 1 January 2009. Beginner, intermediate and advanced are ability levels, independent of age. The screening jury checks that the level matches the pianist’s ability.
• Apply online or send the form and complete file to info@oci-piano.fr. Pay the non-refundable €90 fee by bank transfer using the details in the regulations and attach the receipt. Supply birth certificate or valid passport, your teacher’s name and email and a required accompanying letter from your teacher, a recent colour JPEG portrait at 300 dpi, signed parental participation consent and image authorization.
• Submit titles and composers for both video pieces and a detailed live programme with selections, publishers and exact timings. Email applicants use the organizer’s .doc template. Enter accommodation and accompanying-person details. A family friend accompanying the candidate requires signed parental authorization. A travel-aid request requires a separate explanatory letter.

Rounds & time limits

Video preselection · two short pieces

• Choose one piece written after 1900 and a second written after 1970. Combined duration: 2–3 minutes beginner, 3–5 intermediate, 5–8 advanced. Record less than six months before submission. Separate takes may be joined between pieces, with no audio or video editing inside either. Submit a YouTube link or MP4 by email/WeTransfer. The jury selects 24 candidates across the three levels. Accepted candidates receive their summons from 15 February.

Beginner live programme · 8–12 minutes

• One beginner-level Piano Divertimento Project piece (about 2:30–3:00), one Kurtág Játékok piece from volumes 1, 2 or 3, then one or more freely chosen 20th- or 21st-century pieces to complete the programme.

Intermediate live programme · 16–20 minutes

• Two intermediate-level Piano Divertimento Project pieces (about 4:30–5:00), one Kurtág Játékok piece from volume 3 or 5, and one or more freely chosen 20th- or 21st-century pieces.

Advanced live programme · 22–25 minutes

• Three advanced-level Piano Divertimento Project pieces (about 6:30–7:00). Add one or more 20th- or 21st-century pieces, including at least one written after 1970.

Final concert and awards · 25 April 2027 at 15:00

• Each candidate performs one assessed live programme on 22–24 April. The 25 April concert features selections from candidates’ programmes and is followed by awards.

Repertoire

• Memory is optional. Excerpts, prepared piano and electroacoustic devices are allowed. An optional improvisation/composition prize can be included in the programme. Improvisation can use a short theme, a style, a chord progression or modal material. A composition must be original and written out by the candidate.
• The organizer announces level-specific Divertimento titles, durations and downloadable scores separately. Individual titles could not be verified from the currently accessible materials. Use the organizer’s current list for final selections.

Source: Orléans 2027 competition and required repertoire updates · Orléans application form and document checklist · Full Brin d’herbe regulations and sample programmes