Rules and Conditions

1. International Piano Competition Merci, Maestro! is open for young pianists from all around the world. The Competition will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on April 09-12th 2025 after the pre-selection round on March 6-10th, 2025 (preselection is based on video recordings).

2. There are 6 categories for the competition: A, B, C, D, E, and F:

  • Category A: for candidates younger than 10 years old (inclusive) at the first day of the Competition, that is 11th April 2025.
  • Category B: for candidates from 11 to 13 years old (inclusive) at the first day of the Competition, that is 11th April 2025.
  • Category C: for candidates from 14 to 16 years old (inclusive) at the first day of the Competition, that is 10th April 2025
  • Category D: for candidates from 17 to 19 years old (inclusive) at the first day of the Competition, that is 10th April 2025
  • Category E: for candidates from 20 to 22 years old (inclusive at the first day of the Competition, that is 9th April 2025.
  • Category F: for candidates from 23 to 25 years old (inclusive) at the first day of the Competition, that is 9th April 2025.

The Gala concert of the winners is planned for Sunday April  13th,2025 at Brussels Town Hall , Gothique hall (Brussel).

3. The Competition consists of:

For category A, B, C, D, E, F:

  1. Pre-selection round (via video recording).

After registration, all candidates will be invited to a pre-selection round.

The number of participants in the pre-selection round is not limited.

During the pre-selection round (via video recording) maximum 120 candidates for all category will be accepted for the participation at the competition.

The list of participants who pass to the next rounds will be published on our website on March 10th, 2025 (after 20:00).

The Jury has a right to add more candidates in each category in case if some other candidates withdraw from the competition.

  1. First round (live performance in Brussels).

The number of participants for first round: maximum 120 candidates for all category

During the First round maximum 60 candidates for all category will be accepted for the participation at the second (final) round of the competition.

The list of the participants at the final round will be announced after the deliberation of each category at the end of the day.

  1. Second (Final) round (live performance in Brussels).

The number of participants for final round: maximum 60 candidates for all category

The list of the winners (without specifying which prize) will be announced after the deliberation of ALL categories.

The list of the winners (with prize specified) will be announced during the GALA concert.

The first and the final rounds are open to public for free.

4. Program requirements

Program duration:

The program at the pre-selection round and First round may be repeated.

The programs of the First and Final round may be repeated, but during the Final round one new piece should be presented that has not been performed on the First round.

Important: Please note that the program duration indicated for the first round and second (final) round (live performances), begins from the moment you’re on stage until the moment you leave the stage. Thus, it is the duration of the maximum total timing you could have on stage, not based on the total duration of the pieces.

1. Pre-selection round

For all categories: YouTube or any other video file download link to program recently performed by the applicant. Recording can be from any performance, competition or homemade. 

Program for all categories: one virtuous piece and works of a free choice

  • Category A: maximum 4 min 
  • Category B: maximum 6 min 
  • Category C: maximum 8 min 
  • Category D: maximum 10 min 
  • Category E: maximum 12 min 
  • Category F: maximum 14 min 

2. First round:

Category A : maximum  8 minutes

  1. One of the pieces of J.S. Bach
  2. One virtuosic study (etude) by Czerny, Clementi, Chopin, Liszt, Lemoine, Moszkowski, Burgmüller – 18 Études, Op.109 No.1, 2.
  3. A work(s) of a free choice 

Category B : maximum  10 minutes

  1. One of the Prelude and Fugue from WTC or two- or three-part invention of J.S. Bach
  2. One virtuosic study (etude) by Czerny, Clementi, Chopin, Liszt, Lyatoshynsky, Bortkiewicz, Moszkowski, Burgmüller – 18 Études, Op.109 No. 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16, 18.
  3. A work(s) of a free choice

Category C : maximum 15 minutes

  1. One of the Prelude and Fugue of J.S. Bach from WTC
  2. One virtuosic study (etude): F.Chopin, F.Liszt, C.Saint-Saëns, C.Debussy, Moszkowski, V.Kosenko Etude op.19 n 4 (Courante) ; V.Kosenko 11 etudes op.8 (n 1,3,5,6,9)
  3. A work(s) of a free choice

Category D : maximum 18 minutes

  1. One of the Prelude and Fugue of J.S. Bach from WTC
  2. One virtuosic study (etude) : F.Chopin, F.Liszt, C.Saint-Saëns, C.Debussy, B.Lyatoshynsky “Concert Etude-Rondo “, S.Bortkiewicz 10 etudes op.15 (n 1,3,5,9)
  3. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi

Category E : maximum 20 minutes

  1. One of the Prelude and Fugue of J.S. Bach from WTC
  2. One virtuosic study (etude) : F.Chopin, F.Liszt, C.Saint-Saëns, C.Debussy, B.Lyatoshynsky “Concert Etude-Rondo “, S.Bortkiewicz 10 etudes op.15 (n 1,3,5,9)
  3. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi
  4. A work(s) of a free choice

Category F : maximum 25 minutes

  1. One of the Prelude and Fugue of J.S. Bach from WTC
  2. One virtuosic study (etude) : F.Chopin, F.Liszt, C.Saint-Saëns, C.Debussy, B.Lyatoshynsky “Concert Etude-Rondo “, S.Bortkiewicz 10 etudes op.15 (n 1,3,5,9)
  3. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi
  4. A work(s) of a free choice

3. Second (Final) round:

Category A : maximum 8 min

  1. One of the pieces of J.S. Bach
  2. Piece(s) of a free choice

Category B : maximum 13 min

  1. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations: Haydn, Mozart,Beethoven, Clementi
  2. Few pieces of a free choice

Category C : maximum 18 min

  1. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi
  2. Few pieces of a free choice

Category D : maximum 20 min

  1. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi
  2. Few pieces of a free choice

Category E : maximum 23 min

  1. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations or variations OR full sonata: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi
  2. Few pieces of a free choice

Category F : maximum 25 min

  1. One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro) or variations OR full sonata: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi
  2. Few pieces of a free choice

5. The order of pieces to perform:

First round:

  1. One of the pieces of J.S. Bach
  2. One virtuous study
  3. A work(s) of a free choice

Second round:

  1. Bach (Category A) / One movement of a classic sonata (tempo allegro)  or variations OR full sonata : Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi (Categories B, C, D, E, F)
  1. Few pieces of a free choice

6. Prizes:

Prizes for the winners of the International Competition for Young Pianists «Merci, Maestro!»

Category A:

  • First prize: diploma & special gifts
  • Second prize: diploma & special gifts
  • Third prize: diploma & special gifts

Category B:

  • First prize: 200 euro
  • Second prize: 150 euro
  • Third prize: 100 euro

Category C:

  • First prize: 300 euro
  • Second prize: 200 euro
  • Third prize: 150 euro

Category D:

  • First prize: 400 euro
  • Second prize: 250 euro
  • Third prize: 200 euro

Category E:

  • First prize: 500 euro
  • Second prize: 300 euro
  • Third prize: 250 euro

Category F:

  • First prize: 600 euro
  • Second prize: 350 euro
  • Third prize: 300 euro

Special Prizes: 

  • Invitation by The Academic Symphony Orchestra of the Lviv National Philharmonic named after Myroslav Skoryk and the Lviv Krushelnytska State Music Lyceum to perform in one concert as a soloist with the Symphony Orchestra of Lviv (Ukraine) 2025/2026 
  • Grants for participation in the International Festival Masterclasses & Concerts “MUSIC ACADEMY FORTE” 2025/2026 (300 euro)
  • Participation at the concert of MUSICORUM festival (Brussels, Belgium) 2025/2026 
  • Invitation to participate in the 20th International Piano Forum “Bieszczady Without Borders” in Sanok (Poland) from February 1-7, 2026 (Exemption from the entry fee of approximately 150 euro)
  • Concert in ITALY organised by ASSOCIAZIONE DI ALTA CULTURA MUSICALE (to be confirmed)
  • Participation at the concert with CAMERATA BRIMA in Brussels, Belgium 2025/2026 
  • SOLO CONCERT at the “SALON BRIMA”, Brussels during 2025/2026 
  • Prize for the youngest promising participants in each category
  • The best performance of a virtuoso piece
  • Special edition of music scores of Ukrainian composers
  • Cash prizes, Medals, Gifts and Diplomas

If several winners receive the same number of points, the prize is distributed among them in equal proportion.

All winners will receive diplomas and prizes in cash at the Gala concert.

In case of if the winners is not present at the GALA concert the prizes and diplomas will not be delivered 

All the finalists will receive diplomas for their presence at the secretary office of the competition. 

Certificate of participation will be issued to participants, who were not selected to the final round, in the evening after the announcement of the first-round results at the secretary office of the competition.

7. Administration fees:

A non-refundable registration fee 25 Euros at the moment of the registration (credit card) together with a YouTube Link with a recent recording of the participant and all documents specified in the requirements for inscription before March 1st, 2025

Selected candidates will be informed by the administration of the competition by March 10th 2025. The rest to pay for selected candidates:

  • Category A:     50 euros 
  • Category B:     70 euros 
  • Category C:     100 euros 
  • Category D:     120 euros  
  • Category E:     130 euros 
  • Category F:     150 euros 

In order to support and encourage young musicians from Ukraine during this difficult time, we have decided to waive the participation fee for the main competition for all Ukrainian musicians who managed to pass through the pre-selection phase. In short, for Ukrainian participants, they only need to pay the pre-selection registration fee to take part in the competition. 

8. Registration has to be submitted before March 1st, 2025.

You can register HERE (Link will be provided soon).

Changes in the repertoire will not be allowed after registration at the competition.

All video links, documents for visa application, photos of the participants, etc… have to be attached to the registration document. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

*Attention! Foreign participants of the Competition, who need entry visa to Belgium, will receive an invitation letter confirming his/her participation in the Competition only after payment of the administration fees.

All supporting documents for visa applications will be sent by e-mail. IF origin documents are needed, the participant will cover 20 Euros of postal costs.

9. All travel and accommodation costs are at the candidate’s expense. 

10. Participants registration

Those who participate in person are kindly requested to register themselves upon arrival.

The registration will take place at: 

Piano’s MAENE BRUSSELS, Rue de l’Argonne 37, 1060 Bruxelles (Saint-Gilles)

  • Details for each category will be announced

11. Rehearsals (only for the participants of the competition)

Rehearsals at the competition’s piano:

  • Details for each category will be announced

Rehearsals-trainings in the rooms with piano:

  • Details for each category will be announced

12. All works must be performed by heart without partitions and without repeats, except Piano Trio (Chamber Music) for Category D. 

13. Changes in the repertoire will not be allowed after registration at the competition.

14. The prize-winners commit themselves to giving a benefit concert for the Competition.

15. The candidates need to be present minimum 30min before the performance.

16. If the candidate is a student of one of the jury’s members this member cannot vote.

17. The candidate who already received one prize cannot participate one more time in the same category.

The public is prohibited from photographing or filming during the performances. The direction of the Competition has the right to do and reproduce pictures, video and audio recordings, as well as broadcasting on the radio and TV channels.

18. Members of the Jury are musicians and teachers with worldwide reputation.

19. Decisions of the jury are irrevocable. Only the members of the Jury shall be competent for any dispute. Their decisions are irrevocable and should not be justified. It Members of the jury can possibly decide not to give any prize in one category. If two candidates end up at the same place, the President of the Jury will decide about the winner.

20. The « Merci, Maestro! » competition reserves the right, without payment of fees, to record and distribute recordings for media and other purposes, including the Internet, and to televise, broadcast, film, record, videotape, photograph or live stream all stages of the competition, all prize performances and concerts.

21. The « Merci, Maestro! » competition reserves the right to change the conditions and rules in the interest of the competition.

22. In case of refusal of the candidate to participate in the competition, the registration fee will not be refunded.

23. All the pieces chosen by the candidates themselves must be accepted by the Jury and published in a repertoire.

24. The announcement of one category’s finalists will take place after the appearance of all the candidates of the category (at the end of the day).

25. The passage of the candidates is organised in alphabetical order. Nevertheless, the direction of the Competition has the right to modify their order.

26. The direction of the Competition is not responsible for any physical or material damages that could result from the participation at the contest.

27. Each participant is responsible for personal medical insurance, risk and personal belongings insurance.

28. No music by Russian composers can be performed during the competition

Important Statement

International Piano Competition “Merci, Maestro!” 

for Youth supports Ukraine

STATEMENT

International competition of pianists “Merci, Maestro!” strongly condemns Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. In addition, he condemns the participation of Belarus in Russia’s military aggression.

Having decided to take part in this competition, each participant signs these words and confirms his negative attitude towards the politics of the Russian Federation and thereby supports Ukraine in the struggle for the freedom and independence of the nation.

If the participant has the citizenship of the Russian Federation or Belarus, the participant undertakes to speak under a neutral flag and not to declare himself as a representative of the aggressor country.