Eligibility:

The inaugural Schimmel Piano Competition Asia 2026 is open to participants from all countries.

Participants may register and participate in more than one category, and can compete in all 3 categories as long as they meet the age limits of the respective categories.

Application Deadlines:

Participants are to register by 30 September 2026 by providing full details in the contact form. The competition organiser (“Organiser”) will be in touch via email within three (3) working days to confirm your registration and provide a secure payment link.

Age & Documentation:

Participants must meet the age requirements for their registered category. Proof of age (passport or government-issued photo ID) and high-resolution professional headshots are mandatory upon registration.

Process:

Once registered, participants are required to upload their Online Round video (“Recording”) in the specified format to Youtube by 15 October 2026. Incomplete or late submissions will be automatically rejected.

The uploaded Recording does not have to be of professional quality (i.e. studio recording with studio microphones) but should be a clear and accurate representation of the participant’s playing.

Any edited or tampered Recording will not be accepted; The competition upholds strict standards regarding the integrity of all participants.

Results of the Online Round will be announced by 1 November 2026. Participants will be notified of their results and finalists’ announcement via email.

Finalists will compete in Singapore in the Grand Finals on 5 December 2026 and are required to perform the same piece(s) as the Online Round. Repertoire submitted upon registration is final. Any changes after the registration deadline must be approved in writing and are subject to the written approval and full discretion of the Organiser.

Cuts in the music are not acceptable; Repeats are not necessary; Arrangements and Transcriptions should be avoided.

Participants are not required to perform their piece(s) from memory.

Participants may be stopped during either performance (in the Online Round and/ or Grand Finals) and/ or if he chosen repertoire and performance timings exceed the allotted performance duration.

Participants competing in the Grand Finals are required to print three (3) copies of their repertoire for the jury panel. The copies must not be marked with any identifying marks (including but not limited to the student’s name, teacher’s name, school’s name etc). However, teaching instructions and performance directions need not be erased.

Accuracy of Information:

Participants warrant that all personal details, repertoire lists and background information provided are true, accurate and complete. Any intentional misrepresentation will result in immediate disqualification without refund.

In any case, the competition maintains a strict no-refunds policy for all registered participants.

Panel Integrity:

The jury for the Grand Finals will comprise world-class pedagogues and concert pianists. Jurors must disclose any past or present teacher-student relationships with participants within the preceding 3 years and will recuse themselves from evaluating those specific candidates.

Voting Procedure:

All deliberation records, score sheets, and individual juror rankings remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to participants or the public.

Order of Performances:

The order of performances for the Grand Finals will be set at the sole determination of the Organiser.

Prize Allocation:

The jury reserves the right to withhold any prize, split awards, or declare joint winners if the standard of performance so warrants. All decisions regarding the competition’s finalist selection and winners (including but not limited to advancement, awards, and prize distribution) are absolute and final. All winners must collect their awards in person.

Grant of Rights:

By registering, all participants grant the Organiser an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free, perpetual, transferable, and sublicensable right to record, photograph, audio/video stream, broadcast, reproduce, publish, and distribute their performances, rehearsals, interviews, and image across any media channels (including television, radio, internet, and digital streaming platforms).

Waiver of Royalties:

Participants explicitly waive all claims to financial compensation, royalties, or performance rights fees arising from any live broadcasts, commercial recordings, promotional materials, or archiving of the competition.

Travel & Entry Documents:

Participants are solely responsible for securing their entry visas, travel documentation and compliance with Singapore entry regulations. Official invitation letters can be provided upon request but the Organiser assumes no liability for visa rejections or travel delays.

Expenses:

All costs related to travel, lodging, local transportation, meals, and personal insurance are the sole responsibility of the participant.

Professional Standards:

Participants must exhibit professional conduct at all times toward jurors, staff, stage technicians and fellow competitors. Unsportsmanlike conduct, harassment, public defamation, or attempt to nfluence jurors will lead to immediate disqualification.

Punctuality:

Participants must arrive at designated warm-up rooms and backstage holding areas at the exact times assigned. Failure to appear on stage when called will result in immediate forfeiture of the performance slot.

General Exemption:

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Organiser, its committee, board, sponsors, venue partners, jurors, employees, and volunteers shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, loss, or injury sustained by any participant, accompanying person, or property during or in connection with the competition.

Personal Belongings & Instruments:

The Organiser is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property, music scores, or instruments brought onto the competition premises. Participants are advised to secure independent personal and equipment insurance.

Indemnification:

The participant agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Organiser against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from the participant's breach of these rules or negligent acts during the event.

Sole & Final Determination:

All disputes, controversies, administrative issues, or interpretation ambiguities arising out of or in connection with the competition rules, judging, scoring, or administration shall be settled at the Organiser’s sole and absolute determination. The Organiser’s decision on all such matters is final, binding and non-appealable.

Mandatory Mediation:

In the event of any legal dispute or claim arising out of or relating to this competition that cannot be resolved amicably through the Organiser’s determination, all parties agree that the dispute shall first be referred to the Singapore Mediation Centre (SMC) for resolution by mediation in accordance with SMC’s Mediation Procedure before initiating any court proceedings.

Governing Law:

These rules and guidelines are governed by, and construed exclusively in accordance with, thelaws of the Republic of Singapore.

By completing the registration process and onboarding as a participant to this competition, the participant (and/or their legal guardian, if the participant is under 18 years of age) explicitly acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by all the terms, conditions, guidelines, and legal waivers stated herein.