Competitions › Sonare International Piano Competition (formerly Seattle International Piano Competition)
Sonare International Piano Competition (formerly Seattle International Piano Competition)
Next edition
- Edition
- 2028
- Dates
- To be announced (12th edition)
- Location
- Seattle
- Registration deadline
- 15 May 2028
- Fee
- USD 120-180 depending on category (2026 rates)
Source: seattlepianocompetition.org
Overview
Biennial piano competition in Seattle open to pianists of all ages and nationalities, with Professional, Collegiate and three youth categories. A pre-recorded video preliminary is followed by a live final at Benaroya Hall.
- Organiser
- Seattle International Piano Festival (SIPF)
- Instruments
- Piano
- Category
- Solo piano
- Age limits
- Professional and Collegiate Artist: no upper age limit; Youth 14-18, Youth 10-13, Youth 9 and under (age on 15 May of competition year)
Rules & repertoire
Registration & fee
Online application with preliminary video; fee USD 180 (Professional/Collegiate) down to USD 120 (9 and under)
Rounds & time limits
- Preliminary: video (Professional/Collegiate 15 min, Youth 14-18 12 min, Youth 10-13 10 min, 9 and under 6 min)
- Final: live recital for six finalists per category, same time limits
Repertoire
Solo works only, complete movements, from memory; final programme identical to the preliminary video. No concerti, chamber music, jazz or pop.
Jury & prizes
Jury
Not published on the official pages we could check.Prizes
- Professional and Collegiate Artist: 1st USD 4,000, 2nd USD 2,500, 3rd USD 1,500
- Presidents' Prize (best Chopin): USD 1,000
- Youth 14-18: USD 600 / 450 / 350
- Youth 10-13: USD 500 / 350 / 250
- Special awards USD 200 each for Chopin etude, Szymanowski mazurka, Gershwin solo work
Past editions
- 2026 — Benaroya Hall, Seattle (26-27 September 2026) source
Summarised from official sources, last checked 10 Nov 2026. Main source