Click HERE for the Contestants' photos, listing of prize-winners, and the embedded livestream hosted by IN.LIVE.

The "Chopin with a View" International Piano Competition and Festival will be in June 2023. 

A WINNERS CONCERT at the STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY OF CHICAGO WILL BE ON JUNE 24th, 2023 at 5pm! 

And HONORS RECITAL will be held in JUNE in Northbrook!

AUDITOR TICKETS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE ON the EVENTS page as well.  Families of contestants can view or attend the virtual festival and concerts without additional fees.

CONTESTANTS' WEBPAGE WTIH APPLICATION AND PAYMENT FORMS AVAILABLE HERE 

REVISED SCHEDULE: All Times are Central Standard Time (Chicago) Click on Red Links to go directly to the Livestreams! 

DAY 1: ALL FINALISTS PERFORMANCES, Junior, Senior, Collegiate, Adult Amateur  Divisions 6pm CST 

DAY 2: MasterClasses with Contestants and Special Teaching Chopin Videos 3pm CST 

DAY 3: Jurors' Virtual Gala Concert: 1pm CST 

DAY 3: Virtual Announcement of Winners on Website at 7pm CST. 

All Events will be archived and available for viewing at your convenience until January 1, 2024 

2023 Competition and Festival is NOW OPEN TO PIANO WITH SEVERAL DIVISIONS: At this time, the Competition and Festival will be VIRTUAL ONLY. 

A WINNERS CONCERT at the STEINWAY PIANO GALLERY OF CHICAGO WILL BE ON JUNE 24th, 2023 at 5pm!

An HONORS RECITAL will be held in JUNE in Northbrook!

Our Livestream Partner and Sponsor: IN.LIVE 

Award Sponsors: Steinway Piano of Chicago, Performer's Music and others TBD. 

INTERNATIONAL JURY: 

Susan Merdinger, Dr. Svetlana Belsky, and  others TBA.

THE APPLICATION FORM AND PAYMENT LINK CAN BE FOUND HERE. 

THE REGULAR DEADLINE IS March 15, 2023 by 11:59PM CST   $100 Entry Fee.

LATE DEADLINE OF March 15, 2023 by 11:59PM CST. LATE FEE HAS BEEN WAIVED!

ALL FINALISTS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY May 15 or before.

OVERVIEW 

The 2023 Chopin with a View International Competition provides pianists of all ages and levels with a unique opportunity to pursue musical growth, increase love and understanding of the music of Frederic Chopin, and to learn from distinguished pianists, judges and instructors, who are international authorities in their fields.  Each contestant will receive written reviews of their recording from each judge.  An in-depth review of their performance is available for an extra fee, as well as masterclasses and live Zoom sessions with the jurors.  Reviews may be requested in English, Russian, Korean, Chinese, French, Italian or Spanish. 

ELIGIBILITY 

The Chopin With a View Competition is open to musicians of all nationalities in the following categories: 

Piano and Piano Concerto only for 2023

In the following divisions: 

Junior (Ages 5 up to 12 years) 

Senior (Ages 13 to 18 years) 

Collegiate (Ages 18 - 23)  Music Majors and aspiring Professional Pianists actively pursuing a career in music.

Amateur Junior (Ages 18-29) Non-Music Majors, not pursuing a career in music.

Amateur Senior (Ages 30 and up) Non-Music Majors, not pursuing a career in music.

THE COMPETITION ORGANIZERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO COMBINE CATEGORIES or INSTRUMENT DIVISIONS, IF THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT ENTRIES IN ANY CATEGORY 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL APPLICANTS 

All contestants will receive written comments from the judges, and will be invited to watch all the live-streamed events of the competition and festival, including the finals, masterclasses and Gala juror performances. 

To participate in a virtual masterclass, please indicate your interest on the application.  Masterclasses will be scheduled on Zoom or StreamYard according to the availability of guest artists and contestants and livestreamed on IN.LIVE.  Finalists and non-finalists are eligible to participate in a masterclass. 

To receive an in-depth review or to schedule a private Zoom session with a juror, please indicate your interest on the application and pay the appropriate fees. Live chats will be scheduled according to the availability of guest artists and contestants.  Finalists and non-finalists are eligible to participate. 

REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS 

Every applicant is required to submit an unedited video recording (stops between pieces or movements are permitted) of an original SOLO piano piece or Concerto or a work for Solo Piano and Orchestra by Frederic Chopin.  Individual movements of larger works are acceptable. 

Concertos are ONLY permissible in the Concerto category. The Piano Concerti can be performed with piano or orchestral accompaniment.

Junior - up to 8 minutes 

Senior - up to 12 minutes 

Collegiate - up to 20 minutes 

Amateur Junior - up to 20 minutes 

Amateur Senior - up to 20 minutes 

If the submitted recording is longer than the maximum, the judges may use their discretion on listening to the complete recording. If you wish to enter MULTIPLE works by Chopin, you must pay a separate entry fee for each work.  For each entry, judges will listen up to the maximum times listed above. You may include or omit repeats in the music, at your discretion.

Memorization is required in the following divisions: 

Solo Piano – Junior, Senior and Collegiate 

Concerto – Junior, Senior and Collegiate.  

VIDEO RECORDING INSTRUCTIONS 

Pianists – an acoustic piano recently tuned is preferred, but a touch-sensitive electric keyboard with pedal is allowed- but may not be viewed as a "strong" entry.
Concerto Contestants may be accompanied by keyboard, piano, orchestra or a recording. 
Videos recorded within a calendar year of the competition are accepted. 
Applicant’s hands, face, and feet must be present in the video at all times 

RULES AND REGULATIONS 

Chopin with a View reserves the right to request production of any documents confirming proof of age at any time during the competition. Failure to produce such documents when requested will result in disqualification from the competition, and the applicant will not be refunded any fees. 

The competition will consist of a Preliminary Round (to be completed by May 15, 2023) and a Final Round held in EARLY JUNE 2023.  Finalists will be announced on May 15th, 2023. 

All finalists will participate in a concert to be live-streamed online.  This will be a compilation of the preliminary recordings. 

Applicants accept that their recordings may be used for promotional and marketing purposes during and/or after the competition. Neither Sheridan Music Studio nor any representative from Sheridan Music Studio will be held liable for any payments to applicants arising out the use of any materials derived from the competition. This includes but is not necessarily limited to international and/or national rules, regulations, laws, etc. that pertain in any way to royalties, copyrights, fair use, trademarks, and/or any other intellectual property. Applicants (or legal guardians if under the age of 18) are required to sign a Multimedia Release Agreement at the time of their application. 

The Decisions of the Jury are final. 

Jurors reserve the right not to award prizes if they do not deem it appropriate. 

Applicants may be disqualified from the competition for violating any of the rules and regulations. Sheridan Music Studio reserves the right to make any changes and will notify all applicants if any changes are made as soon as possible. 

By entering this competition you agree to abide by its rules and regulations 

APPLICATION DETAILS 

All applications must be completed and submitted through the competition website. Any incomplete submissions will not be considered for judging. 

All Applications are due by March 31, 2023 at 11:59PM CST. 

Applications will include uploads of: THIS YEAR IS A NEW REQUEST FOR VIDEO FILE, NOT A YOUTUBE LINK.

1. Video FILE performance of an original work or works by Frederic Chopin (links must be FILES on Google Drive or Dropbox)  Please make sure the link is correct and opens properly 

2. High-resolution color photographs suitable for publicity purposes. 

3. Paragraph-format biography. English is strongly preferred, but Russian, Korean, Chinese, French and Italian are accepted. 

________________________________________________________________________

If you wish to participate in a masterclass, live online private lesson with a juror or receive an in-depth evaluation, please mark the appropriate box on the application form 

A confirmation email will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the completed application and accompanying materials. Applications must be fully completed in order to be accepted into the competition. 

A non-refundable application fee is due at the time of submission and is to be paid through the competition website. 

Application fee:  $100 US  Late Fee: $25 

Masterclass fee:  $75 US 

Zoom session with a distinguished juror (30 minutes): $50 

In-depth review: $25

PRIZES AND POST-COMPETITION OPPORTUNITIES 

All competition applicants will receive an electronic certificate of participation. 

THREE TO FIVE GRAND PRIZE WINNERS: 

First, Second and Third Prizes awarded in each division and category of piano ( Solo and Concerto), TBA. 

Several special prizes and scholarships to be awarded by the organizers and sponsors at their discretion. 

The Jury reserves a right not to award the First Prize in any division. 

Special Scholarships, Named Awards and Honors: 

Steinway Piano of Chicago Prizes: To be Announced Shortly 

Marta Argerich Memorial Award:  Presented by Sheridan Music Studio, Artistic Directors, Susan Merdinger

Maurizio Pollini Award:  Presented by Sheridan Music Studio, Artistic Directors, Susan Merdinger and Svetlana Belsky 

Performer's Music Award(s): Two Gift Certificates  Presented by Performer's Music of Chicago 

Arthur Merdinger Memorial Prize: Awarded to a single student by Mrs. Joan Merdinger in memory of her late husband, Arthur Merdinger,  and presented by Susan Merdinger. 

James Belsky Memorial Prize: Awarded to a single student selected by Mrs. Janet Belsky in memory of her late husband James Belsky, and presented by Dr. Svetlana Belsky. 

Most Promising Young Pianist Award(s) 

IN.LIVE Livestreaming Technology Award(s): Presented by IN.LIVE, Gift Certificates: 

The Grand Prize Winners will be featured in a special advertised and promoted Livestream.

PRIZE WINNERS: 

All Prize-Winners may be offered an opportunity to perform in a "Music with a View" Winners Concert. Top Prize Winners Concert is on June 24, 2023 at the Steinway Piano of Chicago in Lincoln Park. the Honors Recital for all other prize winners will be in June in Northbrook, TBA.

All Contestants will receive brief written critiques and comments from members of the Jury and a Certificate of Participation, delivered electronically via email.