Overview
The 1st International Soloist Competition – Piano Division
Organizer:
International Soloist Association (General Incorporated Association)
Official Sponsor: Noevir Co., Ltd.
With a corporate policy of "Scientificizing nature," Noevir is committed to "creating beauty and health," and as a pioneer in herbal skincare in Japan, the company manufactures and sells highly functional cosmetics and quasi-drugs that are "natural for the skin" based on its own botanical research and the latest skin science.
Support:
Urayasu City
Partner:
Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd.
Judges
*In alphabetical order
The preliminary and semi-final rounds will be judged by current faculty members from prestigious music universities and their affiliated music schools, including the judges listed above.
Judging Process
予選
Preliminary Selection
Video Judging
セミ
ファイナル
Semi-final Stage
or
On-Site Recording Judging
Video Judging
*You can apply for both
ファイナル
Final Stage
On-Site Judging
Application Rules
- Open to individuals aged 16 to under 35 as of April 1, 2025.
- Applicants of all nationalities and places of residence are welcome.
Repertoire Requirement
Preliminary Selection
Semi-final Stage
Final Stage
Free program within 8-15 minutes
Free program within 8-15 minutes
Free program within 18-25 minutes
- All repertoires may overlap.
- Multiple repertoires may be combined.
- If the time goes over, the performance will be cut. *This will not affect the score.
Entry Fee
Preliminary Selection
Semi-final Stage
Final Stage
18,000 yen (including tax and payment fee)
20,000 yen (including tax and payment fee)
24,000 yen (including tax and payment fee)
*If a declaration is deemed inappropriate, the applicant will be disqualified.
*For applicants residing overseas, school grade levels will be based on the Japanese education system.
*No returns or refunds will be issued under any circumstances.
Awards
Noevir Best Prize
One of the five 1st place winners may be selected to receive the “Noevir Best Prize,” an additional 500,000 yen in artistic support in addition to their divisional award, if approved by the judging panel based on scoring.
(*This award may not be presented if no candidate is selected.)
Divisional Awards
- All prize recipients will receive a certificate.
- The 1st to 3rd place winners in each division will receive an original commemorative QUO card.
- In the event of a tie, the prize money will be divided equally, including the amount designated for the lower placement.
[ Soloist Division ]
1st Place 500,000 JPY *Noevir Prize
2nd Place 200,000 JPY
3rd Place 100,000 JPY
Encouragement Award Prestage E
[ Upper Elementary Division ]
1st Place Prestage B
2nd Place Prestage B
3rd Place Prestage B
Encouragement Award
[ Junior High Division ]
1st Place Prestage C
2nd Place Prestage C
3rd Place Prestage C
Encouragement Award
[ High School Division ]
1st Place 200,000 JPY *Noevir Prize
2nd Place 50,000 JPY
3rd Place 30,000 JPY
Encouragement Award Prestage D
[ General Division ]
1st Place 200,000 JPY *Noevir Prize
2nd Place 50,000 JPY
3rd Place 30,000 JPY
Encouragement Award Prestage D
Soloist Society Award
One of the five 1st place winners will receive the "Soloist Society Award," which includes support for a recital (Spring 2026, Tokyo), in addition to their divisional award.
*No ticket quotas or personal costs will be required.
Video Submission Guidelines
- As a general rule, use a single fixed camera to capture the full body, with a focus on the hands.
- The video should include only the performance, and no bows or greetings.
- Ensure that no personally identifiable information appears in the video.
- Videos must have been recorded within the past year.
- Footage from recitals or other performances may be submitted.
- There are no restrictions on the filming environment.
- Any editing effects or performance alterations that affect the playing technique are prohibited.
- Upload the video to YouTube (or bilibili) as an unlisted video and include the URL in the application form.
- Please do not include any personal information such as your name in the video title, description, or summary.
(e.g., name, affiliation, school, address, etc.)
※※※ Notes ※※※
- If multiple pieces are performed in the preliminary round, they do not need to be played continuously in a single take. However, they must be uploaded and submitted as a single video.
- If multiple pieces are performed in the semi-final round, they must be performed in one continuous take.
Judging Method
In the preliminary, semi-final, and final rounds, the highest and lowest scores will be excluded, and the average of the remaining scores will determine the result.
In the preliminary and semi-final rounds, judges will judge and announce results using numbers only. Only the names of those who advance to the final round will be made public.
To ensure fairness, the order of performances for the final round will be determined as follows:
▼On-site recording judging: determined by a lottery conducted by the performer after their performance.
▼Video judging: determined by date of birth.
Participants in the preliminary and semi-final rounds will receive written feedback from the judges in their respective categories.
A post-final critique session will be held by the judges for the Soloist Division only.
Others
- The URL for submitting your piece and video will be sent to you via email after you submit your entry.
- Please ensure you can receive emails from [info@piano-solicon.com].
- Payment can be made by credit card, debit card, or Alipay.
- If you have any questions, please see the “Frequently Asked Questions” page.