WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Piano Ensemble
- Next edition
- Winter Edition 2026
- Applications until
- December 1
- Entry fee
- €37
- Format
- online, video
RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «PIANO ENSEMBLE» NOMINATION 2026
Piano ensemble competition online: who can enter and how it works
The Piano Ensemble nomination of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition covers four formats: piano duos for four hands, piano ensembles, STUDENT – TEACHER pairs and accompanists (ACCOMPANIST – PIANIST) who perform with singers or instrumentalists. The age category of a duo or ensemble is set by the average age of its members; in STUDENT – TEACHER it follows the age of the student.
There are three editions a year, applications are open all year round, and the jury assesses a video recording instead of a live round, so partners only need to meet for rehearsals and the recording session.
Schedule
The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The contestant selects one of three editions and sends an application.
SPRING EDITION
Application deadline is March 15th. Announcement of the results on April 05.
SUMMER EDITION
Acceptance of applications until June 1. Announcement of the results on June 15.
WINTER EDITION
Application deadline is December 1th. Announcement of the results on December 15th.
Program
The competition program includes two (preferably diverse) compositions of the participant’s choice. Duos and ensembles are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (sonata, suite…) as two pieces. In the younger categories, 88-key weighted digital piano performance is allowed.
Participants
Right of participation is given to duos from all the countries in the world. Age category is defined by average age of all participants.
PIANO DUO (for four hands)
JUNIOR
- Category I: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
- Category II: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
MIDDLE JUNIOR
- Category III: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category IV: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category V: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category VI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category VII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category VIII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category IX: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category X: born in 1999 and older – maximum 13 minutes
Piano ensemble
JUNIOR
- Category XI: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
- Category XII: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
MIDDLE JUNIOR
- Category XIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XIV: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XV: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XVI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XVII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XVIII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XIX: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XX: born in 1999 and older – maximum 13 minutes
Student – teacher
In the category “Student – teacher” the age group is determined by the age of the student.
- Category XXI: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
- Category XXII: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
- Category XXIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXIV: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXV: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXVI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXVII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXVIII: born in 2005 and older – maximum 12 minutes
Accompanist – pianist
Competition program is consisted of two compositions (except for the large-scale compositions – sonata, concerto ..). Concertmasters compete in categories according to the age and they are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. Concertmaster can perform with two illustrators (singer, instrumentalist, ensemble, choir …).
- Category XXIX: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
- Category XXX: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
- Category XXXI: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXXII: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXXIII: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXXI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXXV: born in 2005 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXXVI: born in 2002 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXXVII: born in 1999 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXXVIII: born in 1998 and older – maximum 12 minutes
Repertoire for piano ensemble: what to choose
Duos and ensembles play two compositions of their choice, ideally of different character, and may use the score. Movements of a sonata or suite can be presented as the two pieces. Accompanists also prepare two compositions, but large-scale works such as sonatas or concertos are excluded, and up to two illustrators — a singer, an instrumentalist, an ensemble or a choir — may take part.
Original four-hand music usually shows the balance between primo and secondo better than an arrangement. Limits range from 5 minutes in the youngest categories to 13 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST, so time the whole program before recording. Possible choices, given only as suggestions:
- Youngest duos: four-hand pieces by Diabelli or Gurlitt.
- MIDDLE JUNIOR: movements from Bizet’s Jeux d’enfants or Fauré’s Dolly suite.
- JUNIOR ARTIST and SENIOR ACADEMIC: a Brahms Hungarian Dance with a Dvořák Slavonic Dance, or movements of Debussy’s Petite Suite.
- SENIOR ARTIST: movements from Ravel’s Ma mère l’Oye or from Schubert’s four-hand music.
- STUDENT – TEACHER: an easy duet in which the student plays the melodic part. ACCOMPANIST – PIANIST: a Schubert song and a Tchaikovsky romance with a singer, or Fauré’s Après un rêve with a cellist.
Recording the video: tips for piano duos and accompanists
The video must be one continuous take with no editing, pauses or cuts, and the faces and hands of the performers must stay visible throughout. With four hands at one piano, a camera at the side of the keyboard and a little above it usually shows both players and all four hands; check the frame with both performers seated before you start. For an accompanist, keep the pianist’s hands and the singer or instrumentalist in the same landscape shot and listen back to the balance. At the start each performer gives the identification details; in STUDENT – TEACHER the teacher does not have to state the year of birth. See recording advice and the rules.
Application, fee and certificates
Duos, ensembles and student–teacher pairs apply through the online form; the fee of 37 euros is paid once per group (payment options). Entries are ranked by the average jury score: in the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections Gold from 90 points, Silver from 80, Bronze from 70, Diploma from 65; JUNIOR ARTIST (32.50–50 points) and the SENIOR sections (16.25–25 points) use their own scales, described in the rules. All participants receive a certificate; teachers can download a letter of appreciation, and teachers and accompanists can request a detailed certificate for a portfolio. Video, identification, documents, fees and scoring are covered in full on the rules page.
Frequently asked questions
Do piano duos have to play from memory?
No. Duos and ensembles, as well as accompanists, may perform with the score.
How is the age category of a duo determined?
By the average age of all participants. In STUDENT – TEACHER the category follows the age of the student, and according to the rules the jury scores only the student’s performance.
Can an accompanist perform with more than one partner?
Yes. An accompanist may perform with two illustrators, for example a singer and an instrumentalist, or with an ensemble or a choir.
Is a digital piano allowed?
In the younger categories an 88-key digital piano with a weighted keyboard is allowed.
Where do solo pianists enter?
Soloists have their own nomination with separate categories and a by-heart requirement: see Piano.
See also: Piano, Chamber Ensemble, results of previous editions.