ZUŠ Márie Hemerkovej

Competition Guidelines

2027

The Competition Guidelines for the 19th Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition, to be held in Košice, Slovakia, on April 15–18, 2027, are now available.

The Guidelines contain detailed information on the competition rules, eligibility requirements, age categories, repertoire, schedule, registration procedure, participation fees, and other important organizational information.

We kindly recommend that all participants and their teachers read the document carefully before submitting the online application.

Competition announcer: Ministry of Education, Research, Development and Youth of the Slovak Republic

Competition organizer: Mária Hemerková Primary School of Arts, Hlavná 68, Košice

Competition venues: Mária Hemerková Primary School of Arts, Hlavná 68, Košice

Main medial partner: Slovak Television and Radio (STVR)

Schedule of the Competition and Accompanying Events

15 April 2027 (Thursday)

16 April 2027 (Friday)

17 April 2027 (Saturday)

18 April 2027 (Sunday)

Competition conditions

The competition is open to all applicants who meet the conditions of the respective age category, register electronically via the registration form on the competition website, and pay the participation fee no later than 31 January 2027.

Contestants will be assigned to individual categories based on their year of birth.

The organizer recommends that schools and teachers register their most prominent talents for the competition.

The contestants' performances will be evaluated by a five-member international expert jury consisting of renowned piano teachers and performers. The decisions of the jury are final and irrevocable.

The order of competition performances in all categories will be determined by a draw, which will take place on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the competition. The resulting order will subsequently be published on the information board on the premises of Mária Hemerková Primary School of Arts and on the competition website.

Competition Categories

Competition Repertoire

1st Round – Preliminary
  • One or more pieces from the Baroque period
  • One or more pieces from the Romantic period
2nd Round – Final
  • One or more pieces from the Classical period
  • One or more pieces from the 20th or 21st century

The number of pieces in the program is optional, but it must not exceed the maximum time limit specified for the given category. Only pieces written for solo piano may be performed. Unauthorized arrangements, transcriptions, or adaptations of pieces are not permitted. Playing from memory is mandatory.

Guidance on classifying composers into stylistic periods

Composers living and composing at the turn of the 19 th and 20 th century (S. Rachmaninoff, A. Scriabin, C. Debussy, M. Ravel, etc.) should be categorized with their entire body of work as 20th and 21st-century pieces for the 2nd round.

Competition performances in all categories are available to the general public.

Any potential repertoire changes must be sent no later than 28 February 2027 via email to kosicepianocompetition@gmail.com

Time Limits for Each Round

Time limits must be strictly observed.

The time limit represents the net playing time, i.e., the sum of the duration of all interpreted pieces performed in the respective round of the competition. In all categories, both the specified minimum and maximum lengths of the program must be respected. If the minimum time limit is not met, the jury may disqualify the contestant. In the event of exceeding the maximum time limit, the contestant may be stopped during their performance. This fact does not affect the scoring evaluation of the performance prior to the interruption.

Awards

Contestants placing 1st to 5th will receive their awards on Sunday at the final Winners' Concert.

At the conclusion of the competition, the Chairman of the Jury will announce the Absolute Winner of the XIX. edition of the Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition, which includes a special financial prize.

The jury may also award other extraordinary prizes and mentions for exceptional artistic performances, which will be announced and presented at the Winners' Concert on Sunday.

Organizational instructions

The application form, along with the competition repertoire, a brief artistic biography (competition achievements and concert performance experience), a copy of the contestant's birth certificate, a digital portrait photograph, and proof of payment of participation fees, must be registered no later than on 31 January 2027

Register

Participation Fees

Payment deadline: no later than 31 January, 2027

The participation fee must be paid by every contestant and their teacher. If the teacher does not attend, the fee is paid by the accompanying person (legal guardian or another authorized adult).

Participaption Fee Amount:

Payment of the fees is a requirement for entry into the competition. An application will only be considered valid once all required documents have been received and the fees have been credited to the organizer's account. Fees are non-refundable in the event of non-attendance.

Accomodation

Arranged and covered individually by each participant.

Travel expenses

Covered independently by each participant or their sending organization.

Refreshments

The organizer will provide refreshments and drinks for contestants, teachers, and accompanying persons during the competition.

Bank details

Account name: Občianske združenie Medzinárodná klavírna súťaž

Bank name: Slovenská sporiteľňa, a. s.

IBAN: SK72 0900 0000 0050 5239 1050

BIC (SWIFT): GIBA SK BX

All bank charges or fees are to be paid by the contestant.

Please note:

After processing the application and fee payment, the organizer will confirm the registration. Detailed instructions and the competition schedule will be sent via email at least one month before the event.

Contact information

Postal address

E-mail

Facebook

Tel:

We look forward to meeting you at the Peter Toperczer International Piano Competition in Košice and wish you much success!

Anna Žitvová, DiS. art.

School Director

Propositions