First edition, first of its kind
Piano 2025: The Rules
all informations about the competition
The Shanghai Conservatory of Music and the Savonlinna Music Academy are holding a competition for pianists from 20 August 2025 to 24 August 2025 in Savonlinna, Finland (video round) and from 28 October to 9 November 2025 at the site in China. This competition is the first of its kind in the world. The contestants are asked to show their skills not only as solo pianists but also as chamber musicians, Lieder pianists and by playing, rehearsing and conducting from the keyboard a Mozart concerto with a chamber orchestra. This competition is open to pianists born in 2010 or earlier, who are ready to embark on an international career.
I. ENTRY CONDITIONS
1. The competition is open for pianists of all nationalities and genders, who are born in 2010 or earlier. There is no upper age limit.
A. Applications
2. All applications must be made using the form available on the First Shanghai International Musician Competition website (www.shanghaimusiciancompetition.com). No other method of submission will be accepted.
3. The application form, including all requested documents (a presentative CV of maximum 500 words, a photo and one recommendation of an international musician), must be submitted by 12 noon (GMT) on Monday, 31 March 2025 at the latest. Formal approval takes place within a week from the application deadline. No incomplete application can be formally approved. As the formal approval, candidates will be sent an email confirming that we have received your application, documents and the application fee EUR 50.
4. It is the candidate's responsibility to take all the necessary steps for the application to be submitted on time and to keep a copy of the application form. The Competition cannot be held responsible if an application is not received.
5. If a candidate encounters technical problems when filling the online application form, the candidate must inform the Competition secretariat about the problem as soon as possible by sending an email to application@shanghaimusiciancompetition.com.
6. The instructions for paying the application fee of EUR 50 and sending the requested documents can be found on How to apply. The application fee will not be reimbursed under any circumstances.
B. Examination of applications
7. The applications will be examined by the Competition’s organizers. If necessary, the Competition will ask candidates to provide additional information.
C. Acceptance
8. A Preselection Jury selects a maximum of 48 contestants to the Savonlinna video round. Each applicant who has been selected in the preselection process will receive confirmation of their admission to the video round by 15 May 2025.
9. Candidates may not be rejected on any ideological, linguistic, religious, or racial grounds. If a candidate’s participation could create a conflict of interest, of any kind, that candidate may be refused access to the Competition.
A. Applications
2. All applications must be made using the form available on the First Shanghai International Musician Competition website (www.shanghaimusiciancompetition.com). No other method of submission will be accepted.
3. The application form, including all requested documents (a presentative CV of maximum 500 words, a photo and one recommendation of an international musician), must be submitted by 12 noon (GMT) on Monday, 31 March 2025 at the latest. Formal approval takes place within a week from the application deadline. No incomplete application can be formally approved. As the formal approval, candidates will be sent an email confirming that we have received your application, documents and the application fee EUR 50.
4. It is the candidate's responsibility to take all the necessary steps for the application to be submitted on time and to keep a copy of the application form. The Competition cannot be held responsible if an application is not received.
5. If a candidate encounters technical problems when filling the online application form, the candidate must inform the Competition secretariat about the problem as soon as possible by sending an email to application@shanghaimusiciancompetition.com.
6. The instructions for paying the application fee of EUR 50 and sending the requested documents can be found on How to apply. The application fee will not be reimbursed under any circumstances.
B. Examination of applications
7. The applications will be examined by the Competition’s organizers. If necessary, the Competition will ask candidates to provide additional information.
C. Acceptance
8. A Preselection Jury selects a maximum of 48 contestants to the Savonlinna video round. Each applicant who has been selected in the preselection process will receive confirmation of their admission to the video round by 15 May 2025.
9. Candidates may not be rejected on any ideological, linguistic, religious, or racial grounds. If a candidate’s participation could create a conflict of interest, of any kind, that candidate may be refused access to the Competition.
II. GENERAL
A. General provisions concerning the Competition
10. The public rounds of the First Shanghai International Musician Competition are prepared by a preselection behind closed doors. Other rounds are open to the public.
11. The public rounds are divided into four stages:
a. Video round in Savonlinna
Determines a maximum of 16 candidates who are admitted to the Semifinal 1: Chamber Music.
b. Semifinal 1: Chamber music in Shanghai
Determines maximal 8 contestants to the Semifinal 2: Lieder.
c. Semifinal 2: Lieder in Shanghai
Determines a maximum of 4 contestants to the Final.
d. Final in Shanghai
Shanghai Jury ranks the top maximal 4 laureates.
12. Each contestant admitted to take part in the public rounds undertakes to participate in those rounds, unless prevented from doing so by illness or accident.
10. The public rounds of the First Shanghai International Musician Competition are prepared by a preselection behind closed doors. Other rounds are open to the public.
11. The public rounds are divided into four stages:
a. Video round in Savonlinna
Determines a maximum of 16 candidates who are admitted to the Semifinal 1: Chamber Music.
b. Semifinal 1: Chamber music in Shanghai
Determines maximal 8 contestants to the Semifinal 2: Lieder.
c. Semifinal 2: Lieder in Shanghai
Determines a maximum of 4 contestants to the Final.
d. Final in Shanghai
Shanghai Jury ranks the top maximal 4 laureates.
12. Each contestant admitted to take part in the public rounds undertakes to participate in those rounds, unless prevented from doing so by illness or accident.
B. Juries
13. The competition has three juries:
a. Preselection Jury of 3 persons.
b. Savonlinna Jury of 5 persons.
c. Shanghai Jury of 9 persons.
14. On each round the jurors make a yes/no vote for each contestant. If it is a tie, they will vote again until the result is clear.
15. The contestants are not allowed to be in any contact with the jury members after the announcement of the selected maximum 16 contestants to the Shanghai rounds until the competition has ended.
13. The competition has three juries:
a. Preselection Jury of 3 persons.
b. Savonlinna Jury of 5 persons.
c. Shanghai Jury of 9 persons.
14. On each round the jurors make a yes/no vote for each contestant. If it is a tie, they will vote again until the result is clear.
15. The contestants are not allowed to be in any contact with the jury members after the announcement of the selected maximum 16 contestants to the Shanghai rounds until the competition has ended.
C. Repertoire
16. Repertoire for each round of the Competition are:
a. Video round
- free choice of solo piano works
Duration approximately 30 minutes.
b. Semifinal 1: Chamber music
- a sonata for piano and violin or cello chosen by the contestant by Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms or Richard Strauss,
OR
- a piano trio to be chosen by the contestant by Ludwig van Beethoven or Franz Schubert.
The program can be filled with shorter works like Brahms Scherzo, Schumann Fantasiestücke, Schubert Nocturne, etcetera.
Duration approximately 35-45 minutes.
c. Semifinal 2: Lieder
- a program with Lieder by Robert Schumann (c.35min.), including one of the cycles opuses 24 or 25 or 35 or 39 or 48. To be sung in German.
and
- 2 Chinese songs from “Chinese Art Songs” printed by Breitkopf & Härtel. To be sung in Chinese.
The score available here.
Duration approximately 40-45 minutes.
d. Final
- Mozart concerto K.413 or K.414 or K.415 or K.449. To be performed without the score.
17. More specific instructions on the repertoire can be found in III. ROUNDS.
18. Unless otherwise specified in these rules, repeats are left to the direction of the contestants, but contestants must take them into account when working out the timing and effectiveness of their repertoire.
19. The contestant has to send their repertoire for all the rounds of the Competition by 22 June 2025.
20. The repertoire of each contestant will be examined by an Artistic Committee. This committee will have the right to impose changes to the repertoire to ensure that it complies with the rules and artistic requirements of the Competition. Once the deadline (Sunday 22 June 2025) has passed, no change can be made to the repertoire, except where required by the Artistic Committee.
16. Repertoire for each round of the Competition are:
a. Video round
- free choice of solo piano works
Duration approximately 30 minutes.
b. Semifinal 1: Chamber music
- a sonata for piano and violin or cello chosen by the contestant by Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms or Richard Strauss,
OR
- a piano trio to be chosen by the contestant by Ludwig van Beethoven or Franz Schubert.
The program can be filled with shorter works like Brahms Scherzo, Schumann Fantasiestücke, Schubert Nocturne, etcetera.
Duration approximately 35-45 minutes.
c. Semifinal 2: Lieder
- a program with Lieder by Robert Schumann (c.35min.), including one of the cycles opuses 24 or 25 or 35 or 39 or 48. To be sung in German.
and
- 2 Chinese songs from “Chinese Art Songs” printed by Breitkopf & Härtel. To be sung in Chinese.
The score available here.
Duration approximately 40-45 minutes.
d. Final
- Mozart concerto K.413 or K.414 or K.415 or K.449. To be performed without the score.
17. More specific instructions on the repertoire can be found in III. ROUNDS.
18. Unless otherwise specified in these rules, repeats are left to the direction of the contestants, but contestants must take them into account when working out the timing and effectiveness of their repertoire.
19. The contestant has to send their repertoire for all the rounds of the Competition by 22 June 2025.
20. The repertoire of each contestant will be examined by an Artistic Committee. This committee will have the right to impose changes to the repertoire to ensure that it complies with the rules and artistic requirements of the Competition. Once the deadline (Sunday 22 June 2025) has passed, no change can be made to the repertoire, except where required by the Artistic Committee.
D. Drawing of lots
21. Drawing of lots will take place in Savonlinna 31 August 2025.
22. The purpose of the drawing of lots is to establish the order in which contestants will perform in Shanghai.
23. The drawing of lots will take place in the presence of a trusted official, who will ensure that the drawing of the letter is done according to the rules and will record the result.
24. One letter of the alphabet is drawn. In the alphabetic order surnames of the contestants are organized until letter Z and continuing from letter A until the last name before the drawn letter. The letters are the official Latin-Script alphabet consisting of 26 letters. Special letters will be understood as Q=Kv, Ü=Ue, Å=A, Ä=Ae, Ö=Oe. The drawn alphabetic order stays during the following rounds of the Competition.
25. Contestants admitted to the Semifinal 1 in Shanghai will be assigned an individual place in the order of appearance. This order will apply to all rounds of the Competition in Shanghai.
26. If a contestant wishes to obtain an exemption from the order decided on because of professional engagement, they must make this request to the secretariat of the Competition and provide justification at least 48 hours before the performance. The Competition’s organizers will consider the reason given and make a decision, which shall be final. An exemption may only be obtained for the Semifinal 1.
27. Except for the situation provided for in Article 29, the order of appearance may only be changed due to exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances. The contestant will have to provide justification. The Competition’s organizers will consider the reasons given and make a decision which shall be final. Any alteration decided upon will only be valid for the round in question.
21. Drawing of lots will take place in Savonlinna 31 August 2025.
22. The purpose of the drawing of lots is to establish the order in which contestants will perform in Shanghai.
23. The drawing of lots will take place in the presence of a trusted official, who will ensure that the drawing of the letter is done according to the rules and will record the result.
24. One letter of the alphabet is drawn. In the alphabetic order surnames of the contestants are organized until letter Z and continuing from letter A until the last name before the drawn letter. The letters are the official Latin-Script alphabet consisting of 26 letters. Special letters will be understood as Q=Kv, Ü=Ue, Å=A, Ä=Ae, Ö=Oe. The drawn alphabetic order stays during the following rounds of the Competition.
25. Contestants admitted to the Semifinal 1 in Shanghai will be assigned an individual place in the order of appearance. This order will apply to all rounds of the Competition in Shanghai.
26. If a contestant wishes to obtain an exemption from the order decided on because of professional engagement, they must make this request to the secretariat of the Competition and provide justification at least 48 hours before the performance. The Competition’s organizers will consider the reason given and make a decision, which shall be final. An exemption may only be obtained for the Semifinal 1.
27. Except for the situation provided for in Article 29, the order of appearance may only be changed due to exceptional and unforeseeable circumstances. The contestant will have to provide justification. The Competition’s organizers will consider the reasons given and make a decision which shall be final. Any alteration decided upon will only be valid for the round in question.
E. Prizes
28. Several prizes, honours, and awards will be shared out among the laureates and the semi-finalists.
29. There are seven kinds of prizes. The total values of the prizes will be (all rounds calculated together):
FIRST PRIZE: Total EUR 21,000 (prize at the final round EUR 13,000+8000)
SECOND PRIZE: Total EUR 16,000 (prize at the final round EUR 8,000+8000)
THIRD PRIZE: Total EUR 14,000 (prize at the final round EUR 6,000+8000)
IV PRIZE: Total EUR 12,000 (prize at the final round EUR 4,000+8000)
5-8 PRIZES: EUR 2,000 to each chosen contestant to the Semifinal 2: Lieder.
Total prize for each: EUR 4,000
9-16 PRIZES: EUR 2,000 to each chosen contestant to the Semifinal 1: Chamber Music.
Total prize for each: EUR 2,000
TOTAL PRIZES: EUR 127,000
30. The prizes, awards, and certificates, signed by the Chairperson and the members of the jury, will be presented to the laureates at the Awards ceremony at the Shanghai Conservatory 9 November 2025.
31. If possible, the semifinalists and finalists will each receive recordings of their performances from the semifinal on. These recordings may not under any circumstances be broadcasted in any way whatsoever without the agreement of the Competition. The contestant is responsible in relation to others with rights on the recording in the event of any unapproved use.
32. The Executive Committee of the Competition is empowered to accept gifts, grants, and concert offers on behalf of the candidates and laureates.
33. The jury has the right to share the prizes differently.
28. Several prizes, honours, and awards will be shared out among the laureates and the semi-finalists.
29. There are seven kinds of prizes. The total values of the prizes will be (all rounds calculated together):
FIRST PRIZE: Total EUR 21,000 (prize at the final round EUR 13,000+8000)
SECOND PRIZE: Total EUR 16,000 (prize at the final round EUR 8,000+8000)
THIRD PRIZE: Total EUR 14,000 (prize at the final round EUR 6,000+8000)
IV PRIZE: Total EUR 12,000 (prize at the final round EUR 4,000+8000)
5-8 PRIZES: EUR 2,000 to each chosen contestant to the Semifinal 2: Lieder.
Total prize for each: EUR 4,000
9-16 PRIZES: EUR 2,000 to each chosen contestant to the Semifinal 1: Chamber Music.
Total prize for each: EUR 2,000
TOTAL PRIZES: EUR 127,000
30. The prizes, awards, and certificates, signed by the Chairperson and the members of the jury, will be presented to the laureates at the Awards ceremony at the Shanghai Conservatory 9 November 2025.
31. If possible, the semifinalists and finalists will each receive recordings of their performances from the semifinal on. These recordings may not under any circumstances be broadcasted in any way whatsoever without the agreement of the Competition. The contestant is responsible in relation to others with rights on the recording in the event of any unapproved use.
32. The Executive Committee of the Competition is empowered to accept gifts, grants, and concert offers on behalf of the candidates and laureates.
33. The jury has the right to share the prizes differently.
F. Laureates´ concerts
34. The laureates are required to take part in rehearsals, concerts and recitals arranged by the organization.
35. The fee for these concerts is fixed by the Competition’s organizers.
36. Some of these concerts will be organized by the Competition organizers; others are agreed in advance with Chinese, Finnish and foreign organizations.
37. A list of these concerts will be given to the candidates whose applications are accepted. In the case of non-compliance with these commitments, a laureate may not be deprived of all or part of the benefits related to the prize.
38. Other concert proposals will potentially be submitted to the laureates after the proclamation.
39. After the Competition the laureates must be ready to perform other works than those performed during the Competition.
34. The laureates are required to take part in rehearsals, concerts and recitals arranged by the organization.
35. The fee for these concerts is fixed by the Competition’s organizers.
36. Some of these concerts will be organized by the Competition organizers; others are agreed in advance with Chinese, Finnish and foreign organizations.
37. A list of these concerts will be given to the candidates whose applications are accepted. In the case of non-compliance with these commitments, a laureate may not be deprived of all or part of the benefits related to the prize.
38. Other concert proposals will potentially be submitted to the laureates after the proclamation.
39. After the Competition the laureates must be ready to perform other works than those performed during the Competition.
III. ROUNDS
A. Preselection
40. Only those candidates whose applications are in order will be considered in the preselection process.
41. The preselection is based on the applications. The preselection jury will choose a maximum of 48 contestants to the Video round. The number of contestants is not predetermined.
42. Candidates will be informed individually of the results of the preselection process by 15 May 2025.
40. Only those candidates whose applications are in order will be considered in the preselection process.
41. The preselection is based on the applications. The preselection jury will choose a maximum of 48 contestants to the Video round. The number of contestants is not predetermined.
42. Candidates will be informed individually of the results of the preselection process by 15 May 2025.
B. Preparation for the Video round in Savonlinna
43. The chosen maximal 48 contestants must upload good-quality video recordings (audio and video) of their recent performances of solo piano work/works of the contestant’s choice by 15 June 2025 at 12 noon GMT. Duration circa 30 minutes. It is strongly recommended that contestants should start uploading their videos at least 72 hours before the deadline.
44. The instructions for uploading the videos will be sent to the contestants by 15 May 2025.
45. The videos will be streamed worldwide in the Video round of the Competition 20-24 August 2025.
46. General guidelines for the videos:
a. It is recommended that the contestant’s hands are clearly visible when playing..
b. It is recommended that the camera angle is fixed and that the sound is recorded professionally.
c. The videos may be recorded in different places and on different occasions.
d. The contestant must provide information on the place and date of recording of each file.
e. For each file the contestant must certify its authenticity: that they can be recognized as the performer and confirm that their performance is not subject to copyright restrictions.
f. Contestants should upload one file per piece or per movement (in the case of works that contain several movements).
g. Each piece or movement (in the case of works that contain several movements) must be recorded in a single take.
47. A video whose quality, visual and/or audio, does not allow the jury to evaluate the contestant’s abilities will be rejected.
43. The chosen maximal 48 contestants must upload good-quality video recordings (audio and video) of their recent performances of solo piano work/works of the contestant’s choice by 15 June 2025 at 12 noon GMT. Duration circa 30 minutes. It is strongly recommended that contestants should start uploading their videos at least 72 hours before the deadline.
44. The instructions for uploading the videos will be sent to the contestants by 15 May 2025.
45. The videos will be streamed worldwide in the Video round of the Competition 20-24 August 2025.
46. General guidelines for the videos:
a. It is recommended that the contestant’s hands are clearly visible when playing..
b. It is recommended that the camera angle is fixed and that the sound is recorded professionally.
c. The videos may be recorded in different places and on different occasions.
d. The contestant must provide information on the place and date of recording of each file.
e. For each file the contestant must certify its authenticity: that they can be recognized as the performer and confirm that their performance is not subject to copyright restrictions.
f. Contestants should upload one file per piece or per movement (in the case of works that contain several movements).
g. Each piece or movement (in the case of works that contain several movements) must be recorded in a single take.
47. A video whose quality, visual and/or audio, does not allow the jury to evaluate the contestant’s abilities will be rejected.
C. Video round in Savonlinna
48. General information about the Video round:
Dates: 20 - 24 August 2025
Venue: Kulttuurikellari (the Culture Cellar Hall) – Savonlinna
Number of contestants: Maximal 48
Duration of each performance: approximately 30 minutes
49. The purpose of the Video round is to eliminate contestants who have not attained the level required to participate in the later rounds of the Competition and to reduce the number of contestants taking part in the following rounds.
50. The videos sent by the contestants will be performed in alphabetical order starting with the letter A.
51. The Video round will be streamed worldwide.
52. The contestants are not expected to take part in the event on site.
53. Savonlinna Jury will choose a maximum of 24 contestants to the Semifinal 1: Chamber music in Shanghai. The number of contestants is not predetermined.
54. The list of chosen contestants will be announced worldwide by 31 August 2025.
48. General information about the Video round:
Dates: 20 - 24 August 2025
Venue: Kulttuurikellari (the Culture Cellar Hall) – Savonlinna
Number of contestants: Maximal 48
Duration of each performance: approximately 30 minutes
49. The purpose of the Video round is to eliminate contestants who have not attained the level required to participate in the later rounds of the Competition and to reduce the number of contestants taking part in the following rounds.
50. The videos sent by the contestants will be performed in alphabetical order starting with the letter A.
51. The Video round will be streamed worldwide.
52. The contestants are not expected to take part in the event on site.
53. Savonlinna Jury will choose a maximum of 24 contestants to the Semifinal 1: Chamber music in Shanghai. The number of contestants is not predetermined.
54. The list of chosen contestants will be announced worldwide by 31 August 2025.
D. Registration of the contestants in Shanghai
55. Contestants who are admitted to the Semifinal 1 will receive an individual registration document from the Competition secretariat as they arrive in Shanghai. This document includes the number obtained in the drawing of lots and the date and time at which they must be presenting themselves for the performance for the Semifinal 1.
56 Each contestant must carry their registration document throughout the Competition and present it whenever requested by the Competition’s organizers. By presenting this document the contestant will be given an entry ticket for the rounds of the Competition.
57. Each chosen contestant will get the prize EUR 2,000 of the successful video round after the arrival in Shanghai.
55. Contestants who are admitted to the Semifinal 1 will receive an individual registration document from the Competition secretariat as they arrive in Shanghai. This document includes the number obtained in the drawing of lots and the date and time at which they must be presenting themselves for the performance for the Semifinal 1.
56 Each contestant must carry their registration document throughout the Competition and present it whenever requested by the Competition’s organizers. By presenting this document the contestant will be given an entry ticket for the rounds of the Competition.
57. Each chosen contestant will get the prize EUR 2,000 of the successful video round after the arrival in Shanghai.
E. Semifinal 1: Chamber music
58. General information about the Semifinal 1:
Dates: 28 October - 31 October 2025
Venue: Kulangsu, China
Number of contestants: maximal 16
Duration of each performance: approximately 35-45 minutes
59. The string players will be chosen among the best Shanghai musicians and conservatory master students. The contestants are allowed to bring their own partner(s) at their own expense to Shanghai.
60. Each contestant will be entitled to chamber music rehearsals on 28 - 29 October 2025.
61. Chamber music rehearsals are to be settled later after knowing the exact number of contestants.
62. The contestants will perform in the order established by the drawing of lots.
63. The Shanghai Jury will choose a maximum of 12 contestants to the Semifinal 2. The number of contestants is not predetermined.
64. The chosen contestants will be announced on 31 of October 2025 as all contestants have performed.
65. Every contestant chosen to the Semifinal 2 will receive a prize of EUR 2,000.
58. General information about the Semifinal 1:
Dates: 28 October - 31 October 2025
Venue: Kulangsu, China
Number of contestants: maximal 16
Duration of each performance: approximately 35-45 minutes
59. The string players will be chosen among the best Shanghai musicians and conservatory master students. The contestants are allowed to bring their own partner(s) at their own expense to Shanghai.
60. Each contestant will be entitled to chamber music rehearsals on 28 - 29 October 2025.
61. Chamber music rehearsals are to be settled later after knowing the exact number of contestants.
62. The contestants will perform in the order established by the drawing of lots.
63. The Shanghai Jury will choose a maximum of 12 contestants to the Semifinal 2. The number of contestants is not predetermined.
64. The chosen contestants will be announced on 31 of October 2025 as all contestants have performed.
65. Every contestant chosen to the Semifinal 2 will receive a prize of EUR 2,000.
F. Semifinal 2: Lieder
66. General information about the Semifinal 2:
Dates: 1 - 3 November 2025
Venue: Kulangsu, China
Number of contestants: maximal 12
Duration of the performance: approximately 40-45 min
67. The Semifinal 2: Lieder is performed with a Chinese singer. The contestants are allowed to bring their own partner(s) at their own expense to Shanghai.
68. The contestants will be entitled to rehearse with the singers on 1 November 2025.
69. Lied rehearsals are to be settled later after knowing the exact number of contestants.
70. All songs can be sung independent of gender, in high, middle or low voice versions. The contestants shall inform all keys in which they want to play the songs.
71. All songs can be played and sung with scores.
72. The contestants will perform in the order established by the drawing of lots.
73. The Shanghai Jury will choose maximal 6 contestants to the Final and the results will be announced on 3 November 2025 as all contestants have performed.
74. Every contestant chosen to the Final will receive a prize of EUR 4,000.
66. General information about the Semifinal 2:
Dates: 1 - 3 November 2025
Venue: Kulangsu, China
Number of contestants: maximal 12
Duration of the performance: approximately 40-45 min
67. The Semifinal 2: Lieder is performed with a Chinese singer. The contestants are allowed to bring their own partner(s) at their own expense to Shanghai.
68. The contestants will be entitled to rehearse with the singers on 1 November 2025.
69. Lied rehearsals are to be settled later after knowing the exact number of contestants.
70. All songs can be sung independent of gender, in high, middle or low voice versions. The contestants shall inform all keys in which they want to play the songs.
71. All songs can be played and sung with scores.
72. The contestants will perform in the order established by the drawing of lots.
73. The Shanghai Jury will choose maximal 6 contestants to the Final and the results will be announced on 3 November 2025 as all contestants have performed.
74. Every contestant chosen to the Final will receive a prize of EUR 4,000.
G. Preparation for the finals
75. During the period leading up to the final, the selected finalists must take part in the meetings and the rehearsals planned by the Competition’s organizers. No exemption will be granted, except in exceptional cases duly motivated by the contestants.
76. Finalists who do not fulfill their obligations in this respect may be denied access to the final.
77. The finalists are divided into two groups:
Group 1 = finalists 1-3
Group 2 = finalists 4-6
78. Group 1 will rehearse (100 min per each contestant) with the orchestra on 8 November 2025 and perform in the FINAL 1 on 10 November 2025.
79. Group 2 will rehearse (100 min per each contestant) with the orchestra on 9 November 2025 and perform in the FINAL 2 on 11 November 2025.
80. On the day of their final the finalists have a dress rehearsal with the orchestra at 10am - 12pm. Each finalist has 30 minutes.
81. The jury is following all the orchestra rehearsals and is making its own memos for the evaluation of the finalists.
82. During the period leading up to the final the Competition’s organizers will arrange photo sessions and meetings with the media, in which the finalists are expected to participate.
75. During the period leading up to the final, the selected finalists must take part in the meetings and the rehearsals planned by the Competition’s organizers. No exemption will be granted, except in exceptional cases duly motivated by the contestants.
76. Finalists who do not fulfill their obligations in this respect may be denied access to the final.
77. The finalists are divided into two groups:
Group 1 = finalists 1-3
Group 2 = finalists 4-6
78. Group 1 will rehearse (100 min per each contestant) with the orchestra on 8 November 2025 and perform in the FINAL 1 on 10 November 2025.
79. Group 2 will rehearse (100 min per each contestant) with the orchestra on 9 November 2025 and perform in the FINAL 2 on 11 November 2025.
80. On the day of their final the finalists have a dress rehearsal with the orchestra at 10am - 12pm. Each finalist has 30 minutes.
81. The jury is following all the orchestra rehearsals and is making its own memos for the evaluation of the finalists.
82. During the period leading up to the final the Competition’s organizers will arrange photo sessions and meetings with the media, in which the finalists are expected to participate.
H. Finals
83. General information about the Finals
FINAL 1 (group 1)
Date: 10 November 2024
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: Shanghai Conservatory of Music
FINAL 2 (group 2)
Date: 11 November 2024
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: Shanghai Conservatory of Music
84. The contestants will perform in the order established by the drawing of lots.
85. The orchestra in the final is the Shanghai Chamber Philharmonic.
86. The Shanghai Jury will rank the laureates as the Final 2 has ended and the Awards ceremony will begin at around 7pm. The announcement of the results will be given by the Chairman of the Jury.
87. The presence of all finalists in the Awards ceremony is mandatory.
83. General information about the Finals
FINAL 1 (group 1)
Date: 10 November 2024
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: Shanghai Conservatory of Music
FINAL 2 (group 2)
Date: 11 November 2024
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: Shanghai Conservatory of Music
84. The contestants will perform in the order established by the drawing of lots.
85. The orchestra in the final is the Shanghai Chamber Philharmonic.
86. The Shanghai Jury will rank the laureates as the Final 2 has ended and the Awards ceremony will begin at around 7pm. The announcement of the results will be given by the Chairman of the Jury.
87. The presence of all finalists in the Awards ceremony is mandatory.
IV. TIMETABLE
31 March 2025, 12 noon GMT
Deadline for applications.
1 April - 15 May 2025
Preselection jury is selecting a maximum of 48 contestants to the video round in Savonlinna.
The chosen contestants will be informed by 15 May 2025.
15 June 2025, 12 noon GMT
Deadline for submitting the videos and list of repertoire in the Competition.
15 June 2025
The Chinese concerto (duration 10-12 min) will be sent as full score and solo piano part to all contestants.
20 - 24 August 2025
Video round in Savonlinna.
The videos will be performed in alphabetical order starting with the letter A.
Savonlinna jury selects maximal 24 contestants to a Semifinal 1 in Shanghai.
31 August 2025 in Savonlinna
Drawing of lots for the order of performances during the competition in Shanghai.
By 31 August 2025
The list of chosen contestants for the Semifinal 1: Chamber music will be announced worldwide.
27 October 2025
The contestants will arrive in Kulangsu.
28 October - 9 November 2025
Competition in China.
28 - 31 October
Chamber music Round.
A maximum of 12 contestants will be chosen to the Semifinal 2: Lieder
1 - 3 November
Lied Round
A maximum of 6 contestants will be chosen to enter the final.
5-8 November
Rehearsals with Orchestra
Final
9 November
Awards ceremony and the announcement of the results.
Shanghai International Musician Competition reserves all the rights to make changes!
Deadline for applications.
1 April - 15 May 2025
Preselection jury is selecting a maximum of 48 contestants to the video round in Savonlinna.
The chosen contestants will be informed by 15 May 2025.
15 June 2025, 12 noon GMT
Deadline for submitting the videos and list of repertoire in the Competition.
15 June 2025
The Chinese concerto (duration 10-12 min) will be sent as full score and solo piano part to all contestants.
20 - 24 August 2025
Video round in Savonlinna.
The videos will be performed in alphabetical order starting with the letter A.
Savonlinna jury selects maximal 24 contestants to a Semifinal 1 in Shanghai.
31 August 2025 in Savonlinna
Drawing of lots for the order of performances during the competition in Shanghai.
By 31 August 2025
The list of chosen contestants for the Semifinal 1: Chamber music will be announced worldwide.
27 October 2025
The contestants will arrive in Kulangsu.
28 October - 9 November 2025
Competition in China.
28 - 31 October
Chamber music Round.
A maximum of 12 contestants will be chosen to the Semifinal 2: Lieder
1 - 3 November
Lied Round
A maximum of 6 contestants will be chosen to enter the final.
5-8 November
Rehearsals with Orchestra
Final
9 November
Awards ceremony and the announcement of the results.
Shanghai International Musician Competition reserves all the rights to make changes!
©2024 Shanghai International Musician Competition
