Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals
14 - 15 February 2026, Oxford, UK
Entries now CLOSED
1st Prize £500 - plus solo and an own-choice concerto engagements in Oxford
2nd Prize £150 | 3rd Prize £100
About The Competition
The Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals – is the professional-level piano ‘class’ organised each year by the Oxford Music Festival (est. 1974). The Oxford Piano Competition showcases top talent (35 years and under) from undergraduate, postgraduate and former students, often from the London and Birmingham conservatoires. As well as cash prizes for the three finalists, further performance opportunities for the 1st prize winner include an own-choice concerto engagement with one of Oxford’s leading orchestras.
The Oxford Music Festival (Est. 1974) provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages and standards to perform to a sympathetic audience and receive individual, expert advice on achievement and further progress. The prestigious Oxford Piano Competition is a major highlight of the Festival each year.
Where
Ogsten Music School
24A South Parade
Summertown
Oxford OX2 7JN
When
14-15 February, 2026
Adjudicator: Gordon Fergus-Thompson
Provisional Event Schedule
Day 1
Saturday 14 Feb, 2026
Preliminary Round
This round takes place dependent upon the number of entries
When this round is held, it is free choice repertoire to form a short recital programme of not less than 10 minutes and not more than 15 minutes (repertoire need not be taken from the main rounds recital programme)
9.00 Am
Preliminary Round (morning session)
1.00 Pm
Lunch
2.30 Pm
Preliminary Round (afternoon session)
Day 2
Sunday 15 Dec, 2026
09:00 Am
First Round (morning session)
Each entrant performs an own-choice recital of not les than 25 minutes and not more than 30 minutes
1:00 pm
Lunch
2:30 Pm
First Round (afternoon session)
Each entrant performs an own-choice recital of not les than 25 minutes and not more than 30 minutes
06:00 Pm
Adjudication
General Performance Remarks
Individual Adjudications
Announcement of 3 Finalists chosen to go forward to the Gala Final Round
07:00 Pm
Gala Final Round Concert
The 3 finalists perform their recitals in the Gala Final Round Concert, which is open to the public
Followed by Final Adjudications and Awarding Prizes
09:00 Pm
Close
Adjudicator for 2026 Competition
Gordon Fergus-Thompson
Professor of Piano (Royal College of Music) | International Masterclass-Recitalist | Major International Recording Artist & Recitalist (Piano & Organ - including complete piano works of Debussy, Scriabin & Ravel) | International Examiner (ABRSM Classical, Jazz and Diploma Syllabuses)
Venue
Ogsten Music School
24A South Parade
Summertown
Oxford
OX2 7JN
State of the art Ogsten Music School – owned by St. Edward’s School, Oxford – comprises a suite of spaces for teaching and performing music. There is a welcoming entrance area and the acoustically-designed Recital Hall boasts two concert grand pianos, as well as a pipe organ and has seating for around 100. There are also numerous adjacent practice rooms – which have quality acoustic pianos suitable for practice and warming-up prior to performing.
A Few Words
About The Event Organiser
The Oxford Music Festival (Est. 1974), a member of the British and International Federation of Festivals (BIFF), provides an opportunity for musicians of all ages and standards to perform to a sympathetic audience and receive individual, expert advice on achievement and further progress. The prestigious Oxford Piano Competition is a major highlight of the Festival each year.
The Festival syllabus is divided into 10 ‘sections’ which together cover everything from solo piano, guitar, organ and all orchestral instruments (and non-orchestral instruments) as well as singing, chamber ensembles to choirs and larger ensembles. The Festival hosts a panel of very distinguished, specialist adjudicators each year, who provide individual feedback and for each competitive class decide which were prizewinning performances, using the BIFF marking scheme.
Section 1 of the Festival Syllabus includes the professional-level solo instrumental and singing classes – including the Oxford Piano Competition.
Once the syllabus is published in September, to enter the Oxford Piano Competition visit www.oxfordmusicfestival.org and register – look for ‘My Festival’ if you are new to the Competition. Once registered you can use ‘My Entries’ to add, view or change your entry. You will find the Oxford Piano Competition listed as Section 1, Class C in the syllabus.
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