About

The 2025 ACT Keyboard Association Piano Competition will be held on Saturday 13 September 2025 at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture Chapel, Charles Sturt University.

Our adjudicator this year will be the esteemed Australian concert pianist, music educator, and composer Ian Munro.

REGISTRATION CLOSES 31 AUGUST 2025

RULES

1. ELIGIBILITY

a. Age Limit: All competitors must be 21 years old or younger on 13 September 2025.

b. The ACTKA Piano Competition is only open to pianists 21 years old or younger whose permanent residence is in the following regions: the Australian Capital Territory, Central West, Southern Highlands, Riverina, Monaro, South West Slopes, Southern Tablelands, and the South Coast. 

2. PIECES & GRADING

a. Pieces (non-Duet): You must play two contrasting pieces, one of which is to be an Australian work. Multiple movements from the same work may be performed as long as it is within the time limit stipulated for that section. Only two works may be performed. 

b. Pieces (Duet): One piece for 1 Piano, 4 Hands is to be played. 

c. Own Composition: For competitors wishing to submit an own composition for piano solo/piano duet, please email the full score in PDF format by 1 August 2025 to: act.keyboardassociation@gmail.com. The grade level must be within the grade bracket of that section. Own compositions received after 1 August 2025 will not be allowed in the competition and will not be received. Own compositions are subject to approval by the ACTKA Committee. A response from the ACTKA Committee will be emailed by 17 August 2025. The ACTKA Committee's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into (this includes via email/phone or in conversation prior, on the day of the competition, and after the competition). 

d. Grading: It is the teacher/competitor’s responsibility to ensure the grading of the piece(s) is correct.  Both pieces entered into one section must be within the grade bracket of that section. For example, you may enter a Grade 4 and a Grade 6 piece into the Grades 4 to 6 section, but not a Grade 4 piece alongside a Grade 7 piece. Likewise, the piece entered into the duet section must be within the grade backet of that section.
Submitted pieces do not have to be taken from the AMEB syllabus. However, if the piece is listed in the current or any past AMEB syllabus under a particular grade, that AMEB grade will be taken to be the level for that piece. For example, if a piece is listed under Grade 8 Trinity (or any other syllabus) but under Grade 7 AMEB, the piece will be considered to be Grade 7 for the purposes of the competition.
If a piece is not found in the current or any past AMEB syllabus, the ACTKA Committee will determine the appropriate grade of the piece. If you are unsure about the grading of a piece, please contact ACTKA by 1 August 2025 for clarification.
If a competitor's piece or pieces are deemed unsuitable for the section they have been entered into by the ACTKA Committee, the competitor and their teacher will be notified by 31 August 2025 so that the entry can be corrected. The ACTKA Committee’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into (this includes via email/phone or in conversation prior, on the day of the competition, and after the competition).

e. Disqualification for Incorrect Grading: Should the competitor present an incorrectly graded piece for the section, they will not be eligible for a prize. If entry into the wrong grade is discovered after a prize has been awarded, that prize will be withdrawn. 

f. One Section per Competitor: A competitor may only compete in one grade non-duet section. For example, a competitor may not play two Grade 6 pieces in the Grades 4 to 6 section and play two Grade 7 pieces in the Grades 7 to 8 section. However, a competitor may compete in one grade non-duet section and one duet section. 

3. SHEET MUSIC

a. Copy of Sheet Music: The competitor must provide the adjudicator with a printed copy of the sheet music together with the complete Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society (AMCOS) forms on the day of the competition.  Failure to do so will result in disqualification. The AMCOS form will be emailed to you closer to the competition date. 

b. Use of Photocopies: Photocopies of music which is still in copyright are illegal and may not be used by competitors. Using illegal copies will disqualify the competitors. Copies for use by the adjudicator are permitted by AMCOS and completed AMCOS forms must be provided with the sheet music on the day of the competition. Failure to do so will also result in disqualification.

4. COMPETITION SESSIONS

a. Etiquette: All competitors must be present to register during the registration period. Competitors are not allowed to leave and return later to perform for any reason. Competitors are required to remain for the duration of the section. Failure to comply may result in disqualification. Silence must be observed during performances.

b. Time Limits: Time limits must be strictly adhered to, i.e. duration of performance may be less than the set time limit but not more. Failure to observe this regulation could result in disqualification. The time limits for each session are stipulated below:

Preliminary to Grade 3: Five (5) minutes

Grades 4 to 6: Eight (8) minutes

Grades 7 to 8: Ten (10) minutes

Certificate of Performance to LMusA: Fifteen (15) minutes

Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Grade 5 and Under: Eight (8) minutes

Duet (1 Piano, 4 Hands) Grade 6 and Above: Eight (8) minutes

c. Admission: Competitor fees includes one official competition booklet per competitor. Audience member tickets for the whole day of the piano competition are charged at the following rates:

Current ACTKA Members: Free Admission

Audience Members – Adult (18 Years and Above): $12.00

Audience Members – Child (17 Years and Under): Free Admission

Official Competition Booklet: $5.00

d. Adjudication: On no account may competitors or teachers talk to the adjudicator prior to or during the course of a session. Failure to observe this regulation could result in the disqualification of the competitor. The adjudicator’s decision will be final (subject to correct grading) and no correspondence will be entered into.

e. As the ACTKA Piano Competition runs on a tight time schedule on the day, no scheduling requests will be accepted before or after the closing date on 31 August 2025. The ACTKA Committee is unable to notify teachers, parents, and/or competitors of session times until the official competition schedule is released prior to the competition date. The ACTKA Committee will not accept requests to change the order of performance.

5. ENTRIES & CORRESPONDENCE 

a. Entries will only be accepted via this TryBooking page. Early Bird entry forms must be received by 10 August 2025. All entries must be received by 31 August 2025, 11:59 pm. No late entries will be accepted. No changes will be made to the program after 31 August 2025. No refunds will be provided to competitors who withdraw or fail to present at their section.

b. The decision of the ACTKA Committee in all questions and disputes arising out of, or not provided for in these rules and regulations, shall be final. All entries received are subject to this proviso and shall not be subject to any appeal at law. Complaints should be directed to the ACTKA Committee via the ACTKA email address (act.keyboardassociation@gmail.com) and not to any individual.

c. All correspondence and questions regarding the competition should be directed to the ACKTA Committee via the ACKTA email address (act.keyboardassociation@gmail.com) and not to any individual.

6. AWARDS

a. Awards: If there are three or fewer competitors in a section, the adjudicator is authorized to use discretion concerning awards. The adjudicator has the right to withhold an award in any section where sufficient merit has not been displayed.

b. The adjudicator’s decision will be final (subject to correct grading). All prizes will be awarded at the adjudicator’s discretion. No correspondence will be entered into.

7. LIABILITY

a. The ACT Keyboard Association accepts no responsibility for public liability.

b. The ACT Keyboard Association accepts no responsibility for damage or loss of personal property of persons attending the competition.

Date

Location

Get directions

Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture
15 Blackall Street, Barton ACT 2600

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