Competition Guidelines
June 27-29, 2025
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, California
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Challenge yourself ~ Make beautiful music ~ Make new friends
AmateurPianists is pleased to present the 2025 San Diego International Piano Competition and Festival for Outstanding Amateurs, a unique opportunity for amateur pianists to perform on a beautiful, 9-foot Steinway concert grand piano in the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, also known as The Conrad. The competition is open and free to family, friends, and the public. The Competition will be held in the state-of-the-art Baker-Baum Concert Hall, the centerpiece of The Conrad, located in the village of La Jolla. With a seating capacity of 513, it is an intimate performance space with superb acoustics ideally suited for chamber music and classical recitals.
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Eligibility
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Applicants must be at least 25 years of age by June 27, 2025.
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Applications must be completed and the Competition fee of $200 paid by April 1, 2025.
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Applicants must be amateur pianists, defined herein as not earning their main source of income from piano pedagogy or performance*.
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Applicants must not have entered a professional piano competition in the past ten years.
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Prior first prize winners of this Competition are not eligible.
*Applicants are ineligible if currently in a piano performance program at a conservatory or university, or within 2 years of leaving such a program.
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~AmateurPianists reserves the right to accept or decline an application~
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Awards
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First Prize - $2,000
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Second Prize - $1,000
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Third Prize - $500
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Awards will be given for best baroque, classical, romantic, modern/contemporary pieces, as well as Spirit of the Competition
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Repertoire
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Applicants are free to choose their music for each round provided that the pieces are published works.
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The applicant may elect to play from memory or with music. (If needed, the applicant will provide their own page-turner.)
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Music selections may not be repeated in subsequent rounds.
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The maximum length for each round must be strictly adhered to:
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Preliminary Round, 10 minutes
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Semi-Final Round, 15 minutes
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Final Round, 25 minutes
Key Dates
April 1, 2025
This is the deadline for submitting the Competition Application Form. The form includes the $200 fee and three video recordings that will be used for screening purposes.
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April 15, 2025
AmateurPianists will notify accepted applicants. We will refund 75% of the application fee to applicants not accepted.
Accepted applicants will be given access to submit their repertoire, one headshot, and a brief bio.
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Note: Applicants not accepted for the competition may enter the drawing for the Festival.
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(Competitors are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.)
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May 15, 2025
This is the deadline for submitting/changing the competition repertoire.
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June 1, 2025
AmateurPianists will notify competitors of the scheduled practice time. A package of information will be sent to each competitor.
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June 26, 2025
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Competitors try out the performance piano according to the scheduled practice time.
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Welcome Reception
June 27, 2025
Preliminary round
June 28, 2025
Semi-final round
June 29, 2025
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Final round
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Award Ceremony
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Celebration Reception
Jury
TBD