International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Children and Youth (Szafarnia)

Rules & repertoire

Registration & fee

• The 34th edition is accepting applications until 25 February 2027 at 23:59 CET (Europe/Warsaw, UTC+1). Complete the form in Polish or English. The non-refundable screening fee is PLN 50 for Polish entrants or EUR 10 for foreign entrants, by bank transfer with proof uploaded.
• Piano students receiving any form of musical education may apply. Groups: I born in 2017 or later; II born in 2014–2016; III born in 2011–2013. The committee selects up to 55 participants. Previous first-prize winners cannot enter the same category again. Current or former students of jurors and those who took private lessons from a juror within four years before the competition are ineligible.
• Provide personal details, residential address, guardian’s name/email/phone, school name/address/email/phone, teacher’s name, recommender’s full name, short artistic CV, repertoire in playing order and a YouTube link. The form has required school fields even though the rules allow any form of musical education; contact the organizer if you have no school to list.
• Upload a teacher’s reference letter, recent vertical portrait (300–1200 dpi), award diplomas or certificates, transfer receipt and confirmation of bank details for potential prize payment. Supply the payee’s name/address, IBAN and BIC/SWIFT. The form states a 10 MB total limit in each upload area and accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG and PDF. It also asks for declarations and offers sections for visa invitation, opening concert and transport. No recording witness is specified. An ID or passport is required at live check-in.

Rounds & time limits

Application screening · all age groups

• Submit one piece from the live programme as a YouTube video. Use a single camera and uninterrupted footage that shows the pianist’s hands. The public rules do not specify a resolution, a recording date window, privacy setting or spoken slate.

Group I · live audition · maximum 12 minutes

• Choose one J. S. Bach work, one Chopin work and one virtuoso-style piece. For a Bach suite or partita, play just one movement. For a Well-Tempered Clavier prelude and fugue, play the complete pair.

Group II · live audition · maximum 20 minutes

• Choose one J. S. Bach work, one Chopin mazurka, one other Chopin work and one virtuoso-style piece. For a Bach suite or partita, play just one movement. For a Well-Tempered Clavier prelude and fugue, play the complete pair.

Group III · live audition · maximum 25 minutes

• Choose one sonata allegro by Haydn or Mozart and one Chopin nocturne. Play the required Chopin Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17 No. 4. Choose one Chopin waltz from Op. 18, Op. 34 No. 1, Op. 34 No. 3 and Op. 42.

Repertoire

• All live repertoire must be memorized and played in the order declared on the form. Contestants may update the works or order by email through 7 April 2027. Any edition is allowed; the organizer recommends Jan Ekier’s National Edition for Chopin. No general score-repeat rule, accompaniment or concerto requirement is specified. The jury may stop an overlength programme.
• The shortlist is due by 19 March, with details emailed by 7 April. Qualified players must pay the non-refundable second fee of PLN 200 or EUR 50 by 7 April. Reserve decisions are due by 8 April. Arrive at least two hours before the scheduled audition and show a passport or ID card confirming date of birth. The organizer assigns practice and rehearsal times.

Source: Complete official 2027 rules, including repertoire in section V · Official 2027 application form