2026 Steinway Galleries Australia Youth Piano Competition

2026 Steinway Galleries Australia Youth Piano Competition

The 2026 competition includes an online first round, People's Choice voting, and a live final round for selected finalists at Steinway Gallery Melbourne.

Age Groups and Entry Fees

Age groups are determined by the competitor's age as at 31 December 2026.

Payment of the entry fee is required by bank transfer. Upon receipt of the completed application form, banking details will be provided. Entry will be confirmed once payment has been received.

Competition Format

First Round

• First round entries are submitted online.
• All approved entries will be uploaded to the competition page.
• Steinway Australia Management will select the top six performers from each group for the final round.
• The People's Choice winner is determined by public votes.

Final Round

• Selected finalists perform live at Steinway Gallery Melbourne on Saturday 17 October 2026 from 12.30pm.
• Two independent judges will select the top three winners for each group.
• Interstate finalists are responsible for their own travel costs. If a finalist cannot attend, they forfeit their place in the final round.

Repertoire Requirements

• All pieces must be memorized unless otherwise specified.
• Finalists may perform the same piece from the first round or choose new pieces for the final round.

Video Submission Guidelines

• Each participant may submit one entry only.
• Each competition piece must be recorded separately and uploaded to YouTube as an individual video.
• Performances must be on a Steinway & Sons, Boston, or Essex piano, with the brand clearly visible in the video.
• Entrants must be Australian residents currently living in Australia.
• Participants under 18 must have parental consent to enter.
• Submissions must be original recordings created specifically for this competition.
• No audiences may appear in the video.
• Only one participant may appear in the video. Group performances are not permitted.
• Submissions must be piano performances only. Vocals and other instruments are not permitted.
• The pianist's face and hands must be visible throughout the performance.
• The video must begin with a clearly handwritten sign showing the phrase: 2026 Steinway Australia Competition. Digital displays will not be accepted.
• Entries must be uploaded to the participant's personal YouTube account within the competition timeframe.
• Submissions should be landscape format and HD quality.
• Editing or altering the performance audio is not permitted.
• Past prize winners of any Steinway Galleries Australia Piano Competition are ineligible to participate.
• Management reserves the right to reject submissions that do not meet the rules or guidelines.

Voting and Selection

• The People's Choice winner is the approved video with the highest number of valid votes when voting closes.
• All votes must originate from within Australia.
• Each Australian phone number may cast one vote for each competition entry.
• Votes will be verified via confirmation text message or WhatsApp.
• Steinway Galleries Australia Management will select the top six performances in each category for the final round.
• The People's Choice Award winner is not automatically guaranteed a place in the Final Round and may or may not be selected as a finalist.

Prizes

Recording at a Steinway Gallery

• If a competitor does not have access to a Steinway & Sons, Boston, or Essex piano, they may book a time to record at Steinway Gallery Melbourne or Steinway Gallery Sydney.
• Recording timeslots are available in 30 minute blocks, for a maximum of 60 minutes.
• The recording fee is $120 per 30 minutes.
• Bookings must be made during Gallery trading hours and paid before the recording session.
• Entrants will not choose the instrument; one will be allocated by Steinway Galleries Australia staff.
• No food or drink may be brought into the store, and jewellery must be removed before playing the instrument.
• Staff will not be available to assist with the performance recording.
• A minimum of 24 hours' notice is required to reschedule a recording session.