Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals
13 - 14 February 2027, Oxford, UK
Entries open Monday 14th September 2026
In association with Shigeru Kawai
1st Prize £500 - PLUS own-choice concerto engagement in Oxford
2nd Prize £200 | 3rd Prize £100
About The Competition
The Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals in association with Shigeru Kawai – is the professional-level piano ‘class’ organised annually by the Oxford Music Festival (est. 1974). The Oxford Piano Competition showcases top talent (35 years and under) from undergraduate, postgraduate and former conservatoire students. 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. Additional solo performance opportunities in Oxford are being planned for all 3 finalists.
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
Music Building
Radley College
Radley
Oxon OX14 2HR
When
13-14 February, 2027
Adjudicator: Bryce Morrison
Provisional Event Schedule
Day 1
Saturday 13 Feb, 2027
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 round recital programme)
10.00 Am
Preliminary Round (morning session)
2.00 Pm
Preliminary Round (afternoon session)
6.00 Pm
Adjudication
General Performance Remarks
Individual Adjudications
Announcement of the pianists chosen to go forward into the Main Competition Round
Day 2
Sunday 14 Feb, 2027
09:00 Am
Main Competition 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
Main Competition 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 (open to public)
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
Bryce Morrison
Former Professor of Keyboard Literature & Performance (Royal Academy of Music) | Visiting Professor (Birmingham Conservatoire, Chetham's School of Music & Royal Northern College of Music) | International Masterclasses Worldwide | Jury Member (over 50 International Competitions) | Distinguished internationally renowned authority and writer on Piano Performance and a generation of the greatest pianists
Venue
Music Building
Radley College
Radley
Oxon
OX14 2HR
The newly refurbished and expanded Music Building at Radley College – comprises a multi-level facility housing a suite of spaces for teaching and performing of various sizes. There are welcoming foyer areas on each level with two main acoustically-designed performance spaces: the Silk Concert Hall, and the Recital Room. There are two concert grand pianos on site – a Steinway Model D and a Yamaha CFX. There are also a number of additional quality grand pianos and other keyboard instruments. The building holds numerous practice rooms – all of which have quality upright pianos suitable for practice and warming-up prior to performing.
Getting There
There are trains from London Paddington to Radley. Journey time is around 75 minutes with 2 trains an hour. There is a 15 minute walk from Radley station to Radley College.
There are buses from Oxford to Radley Station. Oxford Bus Company No. 35. Jouney time 35 minutes. Frequency around 3 buses an hour.
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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