The 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition
Welcome to the 7th edition of the Steinway Youth Piano Competition (SYPC), a biennial event that brings together talented and aspiring pianists from Singapore.
Registration for the 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition (SYPC) is opened from September 2024 till early January 2025. The competition, designed to spotlight aspiring musicians, offers two categories: the Professional Class and the Amateur Class. The Professional Class is open to young and talented musicians under the age of 18, while the Amateur Class welcomes musicians of all ages.
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New for the Amateur Class in SYPC 2025 is the introduction of a greater variety of age-groups, genres, and prizes, as we will include non-classical genres such as jazz, pop, and anime, underscoring our commitment to inclusivity. (See Amateur Class tab)
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The grand prize winner of the Professional Class will have the honour of representing Singapore at the Steinway Youth Piano Competition (SYPC) Regional Finals in Bangkok from 1st – 3rd August 2025, competing for a coveted spot to perform at the International Steinway Festival in Hamburg, Germany, in September 2025.
First introduced in 2020, the Amateur Class is tailored for piano enthusiasts seeking formal recognition for their musical growth. This category has no age limit, welcoming participants of all ages.
Schedule
Professional Class
Recording for Taped-Audition
Date: 21 – 23 Feb 2025 (Fri – Sun)
Venue: Steinway Production Studio, #01-02 Halcyon Building, 39A Jln Pemimpin, 577183
Semi-Finals
Date: 18 – 19 Apr 2025 (Fri – Sat)
Venue: TBD
Grand Finals
Date: 7 Jun 2025 (Sat)
Venue: TBD
Amateur Class
Heats
Date: 17 – 21 Mar 2025 (Mon – Fri)
Venue: Steinway Production Studio, #01-02 Halcyon Building, 39A Jln Pemimpin, 577183
Grand Finals
Date: 7 Jun 2025 (Sat)
Venue: TBD
* Please note that all dates of the competition are correct at the time of publication and subject to change. The organizer reserved the right to cancel, postpone or change the venue of the competition.
About Steinway Festival
The festival is a biennial event organised by Steinway & Sons in Hamburg, Germany. Its purpose is to identify, encourage and promote young pianists in the formative stages of their careers.
Since 1987, the much anticipated International Steinway Festival takes place every two years in Hamburg, Germany. Young pianists from different countries come together for a musical congregation, also known as a “Laeiszhalle”. Programs such as harbour tour or an exclusive dinner at the Steinway Factory would be amongst the many highlights of the Steinway Festival; where an important aspect of the festival is for these young talents to experience the culture of performing on stage, without having competition pressure.
The competition
The competition seeks to identify, encourage and promote young aspiring pianists in the development stages of their careers. In the national competitions, local Steinway dealers will administer countrywide auditions in the following Asian countries: Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam (Auditions for China and Japan are managed under separate auspices).
Artistic Director of the 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition
Benjamin Loh
Steinway Artist & Steinway Honorary Professor
Message from the Artistic Director
“As the Artistic Director of the Singapore Steinway Youth Piano Competition, I am thrilled to extend a warm welcome to all of you. This competition serves as a platform to celebrate the talent, creativity, and passion of all pianists from Singapore. We are dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians and providing them with the opportunity to showcase their skills and artistry. We believe in fostering a positive and inclusive environment where every pianist, whether a novice or an experienced performer, can shine. This competition is not just about winning; it’s about growth, learning, and forging connections with fellow musicians.
I invite you to immerse yourself in the world of music, share your passion, and celebrate the joy of piano playing with us. Together, let us create an unforgettable experience filled with creativity, friendship, and the love of music.”
Schedule
Professional Class Schedule
Taped-Audition
Date: 21 – 23 Feb 2025 (Fri – Sun)
Venue: Steinway Production Studio, #01-02 Halcyon Building, 39A Jln Pemimpin, 577183
Semi-Finals
Date: 18 – 19 Apr 2025 (Fri – Sat)
Venue: TBD
Grand Finals
Date: 7 Jun 2025 (Sat)
Venue: TBD
* Please note that all dates of the competition are correct at the time of publication and subject to change. The organizer reserved the right to cancel, postpone or change the venue of the competition.
Class, Repertoire requirements & Entry fee
Professional Class Categories & Requirements
Categories
- Category 1 – Ages 11 and below (i.e. born on or after January 1, 2014)
- Category 2 – Ages 14 and below (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013)
- Category 3 – Ages 17 and below (i.e. born between and inclusive of July 31, 2008 and December 31, 2010)
Repertoire requirements
- Participants must present 3 contrasting selections.
- Repertoire must include the first movement of a Sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Clementi, or Schubert.
- No concerti or transcriptions are allowed.
- Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
- Auditions will be conducted in a continuous, live-recording manner. Re-takes are not allowed.
- Participants are required to perform the entire repertoire for the auditions.
Duration
Maximum 20 minutes
Entry Fees
$400
Fees include delivery of a copy of the participant’s recording.
* Choice of pieces must be clearly indicated on the application form.
* All pertinent program details (Composer, Work, Key, Op., No., Hob., K.designations) for each movement of the work intended for performance must be listed
Prizes for the National Competition
Professional Class
Category 1 - Ages 11 and below (i.e. born on or after January 1, 2014)
First Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Second Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Third Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Category 2 - Ages 12 to 14 (i.e. born between and inclusive of January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013)
First Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Second Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Third Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Category 3 - Ages 15 to 17 (i.e. born between and inclusive of July 31, 2008 and December 31, 2010)
First Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Second Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Third Prize
Trophy & Certificate of Recognition
Grand Prize Winner
1 Grand Prize Winner will be selected among the First Prize winners to represent Singapore in the Southeast Asia Regional Finals in Bangkok from 1st – 3rd August 2025.
Entry Deadline
19 January 2025
Online registration
Please submit the online application form and settle the registration fees during the online registration.
*Registration fee will be charged via Stripe during online application and is non-refundable.
*Do remember to disable your pop-up blocker when signing up, so as to ensure the application goes through smoothly.
Rules and Regulations
- The Professional class is only open to all Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 17 and below.
- Previous winners of the Steinway Youth Piano Competition are not eligible to participate in the same age category in previous participation.
- Participants are not allowed to participate in both Professional and Amateur classes.
- The Grand Prize Winner must be able to participate the Southeast Asia Regional Finals in Bangkok from 1st – 3rd August 2025 and potentially the International Steinway Festival in Hamburg on 7th September 2025, or travel to any location as required by Steinway & Sons for activities related to the 7th Steinway Youth Piano Competition 2025.
- The registration fee of $400 SGD is payable upon application and is non-refundable.
- Steinway Gallery Singapore reserves the right, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, to substitute, withdraw, add to or alter any of the prizes offered without notice to the participants.
- All decisions of the Jury are final.
Schedule
Amateur Class Schedule
Heats
Date: 17 – 21 Mar 2025 (Mon – Fri)
Venue: Steinway Production Studio, #01-02 Halcyon Building, 39A Jln Pemimpin, 577183
Grand Finals
Date: 7 Jun 2025 (Sat)
Venue: TBD
* Please note that all dates of the competition are correct at the time of publication and subject to change. The organizer reserved the right to cancel, postpone or change the venue of the competition.
Class, Repertoire requirements & Entry fee
Requirements & Fee
Categories
This year, there will be both solo and duet categories. (See tables below.)
Solo Category Repertoire Requirements
- Participants may select from one or more of the following genres: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary, Theatre/Broadway, Film, Jazz/Blues, Anime, Pop
- The Popular Music genres of Theatre/Broadway, Film, Jazz/Blues, Anime, and Pop are not open to participants aged 8 and below.
- Participants may perform between 1 to 3 pieces pertaining to the chosen genre, ensuring that the total performance fits within the time limit set for their age group.
- Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
Duet Category Repertoire Requirements
- There are no genre specifications for duet category. The duet may play an arrangement, classical or popular, that fits within the time limit set for their age group.
- Participants are required to perform the exact same repertoire for further stages of the competition.
Maximum Duration
Refer to the tables below
Entry Fees
There will be a non-refundable registration fee of $100. There after, every genre selected will be $300.
Fees include a copy of a video recording of the Heats.
Solo Category
Amateur Solo Category
| Age | Definition | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 6 and below | Born 1 Jan 2019 or later | 5 mins |
| 8 and below | Born 1 Jan 2017 or later | 5 mins |
| 10 and below | Born 1 Jan 2015 or later | 7 mins |
| 12 and below | Born 1 Jan 2013 or later | 7 mins |
| 14 and below | Born 1 Jan 2011 or later | 9 mins |
| 16 and below | Born 1 Jan 2009 or later | 9 mins |
| 18 and below | Born 1 Jan 2007 or later | 11 mins |
| Age 18-34 | Born between 1 Jan 1991 and 31 Dec 2006 | 11 mins |
| Youth At Heart (Age 35 & above) | Born before 1 Jan 1991 | 13 mins |
Duet Category
Amateur Duet Category
| Amateur Duet Category | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age | Definition | Duration |
| 11 and below | Both participants are born 1 Jan 2014 or later | 6 min |
| 15 and below | The older participant is born 1 Jan 2010 or later | 8 min |
| 18 and below | The older participant is born 1 Jan 2007 or later | 10 min |
| Age 18-34 | The older participant is born between 1 Jan 1991 and 31 Dec 2006 | 15 min |
| Youth At Heart (Age 35 & above) | The older participant is born before 1 Jan 1991 | 15 min |
* Choice of pieces must be clearly indicated on the application form.
* All pertinent program details (Composer, Work, Key, Op., No., Hob., K.designations) for each movement of the work intended for performance must be listed
Prizes for the National Competition
Amateur Class Prizes
Every age category will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. They will each receive a Trophy & Certificate of Recognition.
The Best Player in each age-genre category will receive a Medal & Certificate of Recognition. (e.g. Best Baroque, Best Jazz, etc.)
All other participants will receive a certificate of participation.
Entry Deadline
19 January 2025
Online registration
Please submit the online application form and settle the registration fees during the online registration.
*Registration fee will be charged via Stripe during online application and is non-refundable.
*Do remember to disable your pop-up blocker when signing up, so as to ensure the application goes through smoothly.
Rules and Regulations
- The Amateur class is open to all nationalities.
- Applicants for the Amateur category should not be performing, teaching, or composing music as a primary professional pursuit or for financial benefit.
- Participants are not allowed to participate in both Professional and Amateur classes.
- Previous winners of the Steinway Youth Piano Competition are not eligible to participate in the same age category in previous participation.
- The registration fee of $100 SGD is payable upon application and is non-refundable.
- Steinway Gallery Singapore reserves the right, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, to substitute, withdraw, add to or alter any of the prizes offered without notice to the participants.
- All decisions of the Jury are final.
