Here we have collected the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the contest.
Click on the questions to see the answers ...

No, you can only register online on the competition website.

For your registration to be considered valid, payment must have reached the competition's
bank account by the closing date (pay close attention to the value dates and bank transfer
periods, particularly from abroad).
We also strongly advise you to register as early as possible, as a candidate quota is defined for
each category and the registration deadline for each level may be brought forward (in this case,
the relevant information will be posted on the competition website), particularly for Levels 1, 2
and 3 and the Concert Pianist category.

If your application is complete (including all required attachments) and payment has been
received, but for reasons such as the quota being exceeded or the payment deadline being
missed, you will be notified by email and your application fee will be refunded within a week of
the initial registration closing date.
In all other cases, you will receive your invitation no later than one week before the date of the
audition. This invitation serves as an acknowledgement of receipt of your application.

The cost of bank transfers or exchange rates (international transfers) is borne by the candidate.

Before the registration deadline, you must send your application by e-mail, together with your
full contact details, a photocopy of your passport and the contact details of the relevant
embassy or consulate.
An invitation to enter the competition will be sent to you in return by email. The dates taken
into account will be D-1 before the day of your audition and D+1 after the day of the awards
ceremony in your category. No exceptions will be made.
If your registration is validated but you are unable to obtain a visa to travel to France, you will
still have to pay the registration fees.

The secretariat can send it to you by Chronopost. The delivery costs are payable in advance by
the candidate.

If you have not received your invitation to participate in the competition one week before the
start of the auditions, you should notify the competition secretariat by email
(This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). A duplicate will be sent to you immediately.

Yes, the registration fee you have paid will be refunded.

If your application is complete (including all attachments) and payment has been received, but
it cannot be accepted because the quota has been exceeded or because the payment deadline
has passed, you will be notified by email and your registration fee will be refunded no later
than two weeks after the initial registration deadline.
If your application is accepted, you will not receive any further documentation apart from your
invitation to attend (at least one week before the start of the competition).
Concert Pianist Category : the Competition's Artistic Committee will make a selection on the
basis of your application. You will be notified by email no later than three weeks after the
registration deadline only if you are not invited to compete. In that case, your registration fee
will be refunded.

Yes, provided that the two categories are consecutive. However, if the quota of candidates in
one or both of the two categories is exceeded, your application will only be accepted in one
category, by default the lower of the two.

Yes. If you are only accepted in one category, the fees for the second entry will be refunded infull.

Advanced and Excellence categories: prize-winners who have won a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Prize are not allowed to compete again in the same category, only in a higher category. Amateur Concert Pianist Category: winners of a 1st Prize or the Virtuoso Amateurs Special "Recital" Prize (Amateurs Virtuoses) are not authorised to compete again. Concert Pianist Category: winners of a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Prize are not allowed to compete again. In the Levels 1, 2, 3 categories, you may compete again at the same level unless you have been awarded the highest prize, i.e. a “ Très Bien Distinction”.

In the event of your non-attendance or withdrawal, registration fees will not be refunded for any reason whatsoever.

There is a choice of three pieces for each year of Level. You only have to play one.

No, each year of level corresponds to one year of a level, as is standard practice in French
conservatories. Example: IC1 (level 1, 1st year) = 1st year; IC2 (level 1, 2nd year) = 2nd year etc.
However, you are allowed to compete in two consecutive years of level.

The competition is open to all students, including those taking private lessons, with no age limit
except for Concert Pianist Category. Depending on the level of difficulty of the works, your
teacher will be able to guide you towards the right level.

The level of a student completing his/her studies at a French regional conservatory (minimum
DEM or DNOP level). You must be able to give a 90-minute recital including works from the
repertoire of a concert pianist.

No, only your teacher can tell you what your level is.

No, candidates cannot change their programme after the registration deadline.

Accommodation in host families is reserved exclusively for candidates in the Advanced,
Excellence and Concert Pianist categories. You must be at least 15 years old. Some host families

have a piano for candidates to practise on. However, there is no guarantee that the host family
will have a piano.
There are rules governing the accommodation of candidates in host families. Download the
rules: Host family (concoursdepiano.com)

You can only apply by completing your registration form online. PLEASE NOTE: places are
allocated on a first come, first served basis and numbers are limited.

The competition secretariat will provide you with your host family's contact details at least one
week before your audition. Please contact them immediately. However, if you do not contact
the host family within five days of receiving this information, you will lose your place.

Your stay will begin on the day before your audition. You must leave your host family no later
than the day after your audition. Concert Pianist candidates may arrive no earlier than the day
before the draw and leave no later than the day after the prize-giving ceremony.

Candidates will be able to practice on a piano just before their audition (between 15 and 20
minutes).

The concert piano can only be tested (for a few minutes) by candidates in the Concert Pianist
Category just after the draw.

Yes, absolutely. If you are absent on the day and at the time of the draw, you will automatically
be eliminated from the competition and your registration fee will not be refunded.

Yes, and in formal evening wear for the top categories (press photos).

Yes, only on site, at the awards ceremony, and subject to the jury's availability. Under no
circumstances will the secretariat give candidates any information on this subject.

The association has two types of volunteers: permanent volunteers and temporary volunteers.

Volunteers devote their free time to helping with the organisation of the competition, all year
round. They are members of the association's executive committee. They choose a task that
matches their skills and wishes. Permanent volunteers commit to a minimum of one year, i.e.
until the next competition. In addition, they must attend or take part in video conference
meetings (8 per year). Permanent volunteers are key to the success of the competition.

These help out on an ad hoc basis during the competition: welcoming the public and
candidates, ticket sales. A minimum commitment equivalent to 4 hours during the competition
week is required.
All volunteers are more than welcome!
If you would like to join the team, please contact us by e-mail. We look forward to hearing from
you. (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )