RULES AND REGULATIONS
I. About the Competition
1.1 The Finlandia International Piano Competition (FIPC) is an annual online piano competition based on video selection (previously known as WPTA Finland IPC).
1.2 The Finlandia International Piano Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities aged 35 years & below.
1.3 The Finlandia IPC aims to provide awarded laureates with high-level performance opportunities before an audience of world-class pianists, professors and critics as well as members of the general public. Furthermore, it advocates educational and social interaction between young pianists and established professionals.
1.4 The top prize winners will be invited to perform at the prestigious Gala Concert & Award Ceremony in Helsinki, Finland in August 2026.
1.5 Multiple prize winners for each category will be selected. All winners will receive recommendation to one or more scholarship awards based on their achievement.
1.6 In addition, all participants will be issued a Finlandia International Piano Competition Diploma and top winners will be featured on social media with their prize winning videos and/or profile.
II. Application
2.1 Application deadline: 31.05.2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
2.2. Solo Performance:
Cat. A – C: 80€ Cat. D – F: 100€ Cat. G – H: 130€
Concerto Performance:
Cat. A – H: 140€
Duet (4-hands) & Duo Performance:
Cat. A – H: 160€
extra Debit/Credit card or PayPal fee will be charged when submitting.
2.3 Candidates may enter for more than one category with different repertoire.
2.4 Each category is considered a separate entry & a new application must be made.
2.5 Application fee is non-refundable.
2.6 The competition result will be announced to the candidate’s email as well as on official social media platforms by 30.06.2026 | 18:00 EEST (Finnish Time).
2.7 Fill the Application Form via this link: https://form.jotform.com/finlandiaipc/the-8th-finlandia-ipc-2026
2.8 Candidates will receive an email confirmation of their submitted application(s).
III. Repertoire guidelines & Category divisions
Solo
Duet & Duo
Concerto
3.1 Piano Solo Performance:
3.1.1 Free choice repertoire.
3.1.2 Maximum 2 pieces are allowed for each category.
3.1.3 Incomplete piece(s) will not be accepted. Piece(s) chosen can be part of a larger work or set.
(e.g. Bach Partita no. 1 in B-flat major, BWV 825, I Praeludium; Mozart – Piano Sonata in C major, K.330, 1st movt.)
3.1.4 All works must be performed from memory.
3.1.5 Repeats are at discretion of candidates and are not compulsory.
3.2 Piano Duet (4-hands) & Duo Performance:
3.2.1 Free choice repertoire.
3.2.2 Memorization is not mandatory.
3.2.3 Maximum 2 pieces are allowed for each category, preferably contrasting styles.
3.2.4 Pieces with an accompaniment role are NOT allowed (e.g Piano concerto).
3.2.5 All repertoire arranged and originally composed for piano duo and piano duet are permitted.
3.2.6 Candidates presenting works that are unpublished must submit the respective sheet music to: finlandia.ipc@gmail.com, at the time of application. The score will be used solely for the purpose of adjudication. The candidates presenting unpublished works are responsible to ensure that the works are free of copyright issues and agree to rights given to Finlandia IPC committee to publish the winning videos of the work(s) involved.
3.2.7 Category is decided based on the oldest member of the duo/duet.
Category & Duration for Solo, Duet & Duo performance:
Section | Category | Age | Duration |
Kids | Cat. A | 4 – 6 years | up to 3 min |
Cat. B | 7 – 8 years | up to 4 min | |
Cat. C | 9 – 10 years | up to 5 min | |
Junior | Cat. D | 11 – 12 years | up to 6 min |
Cat. E | 13 – 14 years | up to 8 min | |
Cat. F | 15 – 16 years | up to 10 min | |
Senior | Cat. G | 17 – 20 years | up to 16 min |
Artist | Cat. H | 21 – 35 years | up to 23 min |
3.3 Piano Concerto Performance:
3.3.1 Free choice repertoire.
3.3.2 All solo parts must be performed from memory.
3.3.3 All movement(s) must be performed and recorded as 1 video.
3.3.4 No duration limits for concerto category.
3.3.5 Orchestra part must be presented by either a second piano or orchestra.
Category & Duration for Concerto Performance:
Section | Age | Repertoire |
Emerging | Below 10 years | One movement of a concerto for piano and orchestra (or 2nd piano) |
Youth | 11 -16 years | One fast movement of a concerto for piano and orchestra (or 2nd piano) |
Young Artist | 17 – 20 years | One or Two movements of a concerto for piano and orchestra (or 2nd piano) |
Artist | 21 – 35 years | Full concerto for piano and orchestra (or 2nd piano) |
IV. Video submission guidelines
4.1 Uploaded video performances can be shorter but must not exceed significantly the time allowed. Edited/processed video will not be accepted.
4.2 Separate takes are allowed for separate pieces.
4.3 The applicant’s face and hands have to be clearly visible in the video. Where applicable and possible, the pedals should also be in view. We recommend landscape view.
4.4 Description of the recording must be clearly stated when uploading video. Full details of each chosen piece of the applicant’s repertoire must be listed in English only. Do NOT include the description or introduction inside the video recording. The competition committee has the right to reject the video if the video description is incomplete or inaccurate.
4.5 Professional recording is not mandatory, but submitted recording must be of reasonable video and audio quality with minimal background noise.
4.6 Please upload and submit the video by URL link only (YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Youku or similar video online platforms), and set to Public or Unlisted. The video must not be private.
4.7 If the video is uploaded to Google Drive, please be reminded to provide us with a link to a separate Google Docs that contains the descriptions of the pieces.
4.8 The Finlandia IPC Committee reserves the exclusive rights to re-upload the video submitted by contestants for marketing or any other purposes.
4.9 No changes of repertoire will be permitted after submission of application.
V. Prizes and Awards
5.1 Prize Awards
- Absolute Prize – Platinum award
- 1st Prize – Gold Award
- 2nd Prize – Silver Award
- 3rd Prize – Bronze Award
- Merit Awards
- Certificate of Participation
- Best Sibelius Piano Work Award
- Excellence Teaching Award (for teachers of prize winners)
Laureates of Finlandia IPC will also receive:
5.1.2 Finlandia International Piano Competition certificate co-signed by all jury members of the competition.
5.1.3 Web presence on our social media featuring winners’ profile and prize winning video(s) after the competition.
5.1.4 A copy of jury’s comments can be made available upon request.
✦ Top prize winners will be invited to perform at the prestigious Gala Concert & Award Ceremony in Aug 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.
✦ Winners will have the chance to participate in the Masterclasses & Concert Week this August in Steinway Gallery Helsinki, featuring masterclasses, workshop, and concert. A unique opportunity to learn, create, and perform!
5.2 Scholarship Awards
Selected prize winners will be presented partial to full scholarships to attend music festivals, masterclasses, competitions and/or performances around the world. Some of our collaborating partners and festivals:
- Helsinki Intensive Masterclass “Re-imagining Performance” Online or in Finland
- Concert & Masterclass at OrkesterEfterskolens Chamber Music Festival, Denmark
- Naples “International Masterclass” Accademia Musicale Europea, Italy
- Summer Masterclass and Workshop in Leon, Spain
- Weimar Intensive Piano Course “Transformation of Mastery” Online or in Germany
- International Masterclasses with jury members
- Invitation to Talents Summer Music Festival, Italy
- Scholarships to Singapore International Music Competition 2025
VI. Competition jury
6.1 The competition jury comprises an international panel of pianists and piano educators.
6.2 The jury’s decisions will be consolidated by the competition committee. All decisions of the jury are final and beyond any appeal.
VII. General Rules
7.1 By submitting an application online and subsequently participating in the Finlandia IPC, the applicant accepts and agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations of the Competition set out by the Finlandia International Piano Competition committee.
7.2 The Finlandia IPC committee reserves the right to make any changes to the rules, schedule and any information relating to the prizes at any time.
7.3 Participants agree and authorize the organizer, Finlandia IPC, to use their image, biography and winning videos for promotion and publicity for free at the discretion of the competition committee.
7.4 Multiple awards may be awarded for each category.
7.5 Absolute prize winners of previous competition editions can only take part in higher but not the same category.
7.6 The scholarships are strictly not convertible to cash or transferrable. Awards offered to prize winners are subject to revisions and are decided solely by Finlandia IPC committee which must not be disputed.
7.7 For enquiries, please send an email to finlandia.ipc@gmail.com
VIII. Gala Concert & Award Ceremony Rules
8.1 The physical certificate shall only be given exclusively to winners who personally attend the Gala Concert & Award Ceremony without any exemptions under any circumstances.
8.2 The organising committee shall not be responsible for any losses or damage to personal belongings of participants.
8.3 Participants below 18 years old shall be under the full responsibility and supervision from their parents or legal guardians.
8.4 The organising committee has the right to record and document the Gala Concert, participants waive all rights to television broadcasting remuneration. There will be no financial remuneration for their performance.
8.5 All participants shall be responsible for their own expenses related to the concert (travel, accommodations, visa).