Overview
The 2nd 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
On-Site Judging
or
セミ
ファイナル
Semi-final Stage
On-Site Judging
*You can apply for both
ファイナル
Final Stage
On-Site Judging
* Applicants may enter both the video preliminary round and the on-site preliminary round.
After the results of the first preliminary round are announced, applicants may participate in the other preliminary round regardless of the outcome.
Application Rules
- Open to individuals aged 16 to under 35 as of April 1, 2026.
- Applicants of all nationalities and places of residence are welcome.
Repertoire Requirement
【Important Notes】
• Excerpts from sonatinas, single movements of sonatas, suites, collections of preludes, and etudes are permitted.
• Omissions within a piece and excerpts from variation works are not permitted.
• A combination of multiple pieces is allowed, provided the performance remains within the time limit (from the first note to the final note).
• If the performance exceeds the time limit, it may be stopped by the jury, and penalties may apply.
• Repeats are optional.
• The piano used for the on-site round will be a Steinway D-274.
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)
Preliminary
Both A and B must be performed within 10 minutes in total.
A) One etude by Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin, Ligeti, Rachmaninoff, Debussy, Prokofiev, or Stravinsky
B) A free choice piece
Semi-final
A free choice program of 8 to 15 minutes.
The repertoire must differ from the piece(s) selected for the preliminary round.
(Other movements of the same sonata or unselected pieces from a suite are permitted.)
Final
Both A and B must be performed within 15 to 20 minutes in total.
A) One work by J.S. Bach
B) A free choice piece, excluding the piece(s) performed in the semifinal
(Repetition of repertoire from the preliminary round is permitted.)
【Important】
In the event of a tie in the final, 50% of the semifinal score will be added, and the final ranking will be determined based on the combined total.
*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 Three divisions 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
[ Elementary School Division (Lower Grades)]
1st Place: Prestage B
2nd Place: Prestage B
3rd Place: Prestage B
Encouragement Award
[ Elementary School Division (Middle Grades)]
1st Place: Prestage B
2nd Place: Prestage B
3rd Place: Prestage B
Encouragement Award
[ Elementary School Division (Upper Grades)]
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 Seven 1st place winners will receive the "Soloist Society Award," which includes support for a recital (2027, 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.
Judging Method
Due to the limited number of available evaluation slots, early application is strongly recommended.
For the Preliminary Round, Semifinal, and Final, the highest and lowest scores from all judges will be excluded, and the results will be determined based on the average of the remaining scores.
The names of participants advancing to the Semifinal and Final will be announced both at the venue and on the official website.
To ensure fairness, the performance order for the Final will be determined by a draw conducted by the participants themselves after the Semifinal.
Participants in the Preliminary Round and Semifinal will receive written comments from the judges of each division.
For the Soloist Division and High School Division only, a feedback session by the judges will be held after the Final.
In the Soloist Division Final, the final ranking will be determined based on the combined total, including an additional 50% of the Semifinal score.
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.