Application instructions

Application Instructions - OPC 2013

The Directors reserve the right to amend these Application Instructions at any time.

1.    Entry fees and deadlines
a) Entry fee is £125 (non-refundable). 

b) Student entry fee (full-time students only) is £75 (non-refundable).

c) Deadline for entry is 31st May 2013.

2.    Entry Requirements for Initial Selection and Categorisation
a)    Applicant must have reached 18 years old.
b)    Applicant must submit a fully completed Application Questionnaire
c)    Applicant must upload an eight to ten minute audio recording of a piece/pieces of own choice by the deadline of 31st May 2013. The audio recording must be of a good quality.
d)    Applicants must pay the Fee: Payment

3.    Initial Selection and Categorisation of Competitors
a)    The Directors will select the audio recordings they deem acceptable to participate in Round One.
b)    Applicants will be notified whether they have been successful within 14 days of the deadline.
c)    Successful Applicants’ notification will include allocation to a category based on the Application Questionnaire score, and audio recording.
d)    The Applicant must choose repertoire from the repertoire list pertaining to their category.
e)    Up to a maximum of 60 Applicants will be selected to proceed to Round One.

4.    Repertoire Categories
a)    Category 1
b)    Category 2
c)    Repertoire must not be repeated in subsequent rounds save for the Final Round.
d)    Applicants who feel the level to which they have been allocated is not an accurate reflection of their piano playing ability may contact us however any decision to re-allocate an Applicant to a different level rests with the Directors.

5.    Competition Schedule

Save for the first scheduled performance of the day, all Applicants must arrive 10 mins early for their scheduled performance time. Performances may be stopped if they overrun the maximum time limit for the Rounds: 15; 25; and 35 mins, respectively.

a)    Round 1 (7th to 9th October 2013)
i.     10 to 15 minute performance of repertoire from allocated category.
ii.   Up to ten Applicants will be selected from each category to proceed to Round 2.

b)    Round 2 (10th - 11th October 2013)
i.    20 to 25 minute performance of repertoire from allocated category.
ii.    Up to four Applicants will be selected from each category to proceed to the Final Round ("Finalists").

c)    Final (12th October 2013)
i.    30 to 35 minute performance of repertoire from allocated category (Applicants may choose to play one piece they have played previously in the Competition).
ii.    Up to 8 Finalists will compete in the Final Round.

6.    Judging
a)    The Finalists will be judged on a variety of factors including technique, musicality, audience engagement, overall ability. 

b) If a judge is also a piano teacher, his or her pupils must not enter the Competition and judges may be required to confirm this in writing with the Directors upon agreeing to become a judge of the Competition.

7.    Monetary Prizes
See Prizes.