Call for applications: Four Notes International Piano Competition 2021

The competition is organised by the Four Notes Music Training Center in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and artistic director Prof Uros Todic. It aims to create a platform to connect pianists across the world while providing them with the opportunity to perform and share their passion for music.

The competition is open to musicians of all nationalities.

Interested participants can apply here.

The deadline for applications is 1 July.

General rules

• The contest will take place in one phase and held entirely online across the Four Notes Music Training Centre’s official website as well as its Instagram, Facebook and YouTube pages, with prerecorded videos sent in advance by the participants.
• An international and highly qualified jury will watch and evaluate these videos.
• Participants will compete in two disciplines – Piano Solo and Piano Duo – in different categories, depending on their age.
• The results of the competition will be published on 15 July on the competition’s website, as well as on social media.
• All videos will be organised per category and will be livestreamed per the competition schedule.

Video competition rules

• Submitted videos must be recorded no later than 12 months before the candidate’s registration date. 
• The recordings must be unedited and the video must always show the performer’s face and hands and must be recorded in its entirety. 
• Video length must not exceed the limit specified in the category requirements.
• Recording can take place at home or in the studio. Grand and upright pianos are recommended. Electric pianos with 88 weighted keys are accepted. Small-size digital pianos or with less than 88 keys are not accepted for the recording.
• Uploading to YouTube can be done using the video’s ‘public’ setting or the ‘unlisted’ setting.

Applicants must follow the instructions and title their video as follows: 

• Name and last name (country).
• In the description field, indicate the name of the competition (Four Notes International Piano Competition), the age category, as well as the authors and full names of the performed compositions in that order.

Repertory rules and categories

The appropriate category must be selected according to age at the time of the application deadline (1 July 2021).

Piano Solo

• Baby category, 2014 and younger (3 min).
• Pre category, 2012 and younger (6 min).
• I Category, 2010 and younger (9 min).
• II Category, 2008 and younger (12 min).
• III Category, 2006 and younger (15 min).
• IV Category, 2004 and younger (18 min).
• V Category, 2002 and younger (20 min).
• VI Category professionals free category up to 35 years of age (45 min).

Piano Duo

• Baby category, 2014 and younger (3 min). 
• Pre Category, 2012 and younger (6 min).
• I Category, 2010 and younger (9 min).
• II Category, 2008 and younger (12 min).
• III Category, 2006 and younger (15 min).
• IV Category, 2004 and younger (18 min).
• V Category, 2002 and younger (20 min).
• VI Category professionals free category up to 35 years of age (40 min).

Note: ​

• The repertoire in the Piano Solo discipline must be performed by memory. In Piano Duo, it can be performed by memory or with scores. All pieces must be published (unpublished pieces will not be accepted).
• Performance of own compositions will not be accepted.
• Decision of the Jury is final and cannot be changed.
• Contestants cannot be current students to any members of the jury, in that case the jury member will be temporarily replaced.

Prizes

Competitors will be ranked according to the average points of evaluations by the jury. In addition to other prizes, a total amount of €3 000 ($3 600) will be distributed among the winners as cash prizes in each category.

The winners in each category will be decided according to the number of points earned:

• First prize: from 90 to 100 points.
• Second prize: from 80 to 89.99 points
• Third prize: from 70 to 79.99 points
• Diploma: from 60 to 69.99 points.

Note:

• Laureate of the Category prize will be given to the one winner of each category.
• All students will receive the participation certificate.
• All teachers will receive the certificates.
• Teachers who have the most awarded students will be invited as a part of a jury panel of the next year competition.

For further enquiries about the competition, send an email to competition@fournotes.ae.

View the original call here.