Purpose

Through this unique renewal process the pianist is supported and encouraged throughout the four years of preparation to be ready for the National Chopin Piano Competition held in Miami, Florida, every five years.

Eligibility

The Scholarship Program is open to any qualified American pianists (citizens or legal residents) not younger than 14 and not older than 17 years on the application deadline, whose field of study is music and whose major is piano. If applicant is older than 17, he or she may only be accepted if currently in this Scholarship Program. Enrollment at the secondary or undergraduate school level as a full-time student is required.

Renewal

The awards are renewable up to four years as long as the recipient continues to study piano, maintains satisfactory academic progress, and each year submits a recording of unedited performances of Chopin's works for evaluation as follows:

Year 1: 2 Etudes, 2 Nocturnes, 1 of ballads, or Barcarole in F sharp major Op. 60,
or Fantasia in F minor Op. 49

Year 2: 6 Preludes, 2 Waltzes, 2 Mazurkas

Year 3: 1 Sonata, 1 of the following polonaises: Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise in E flat major Op. 22, Polonaise in F sharp minor Op. 44, or Polonaise - Fantasie in
A flat major Op. 61

Year 4: at least one movement of the Concerto

An applicant, who was not awarded the scholarship, may re-apply the following year submitting a new recording of the music of his or her choice from the same requirement.

Reapplication is allowed only once while in the Scholarship Program.

Procedures:

Click here to download Scholarship Application and submit it to our offices along with the following documents:

(a)		a statement of career goals,
(b)		a minimum of two references from piano teachers or performers,
(c)		a video recording of 20-30 minutes of Chopin's works as listed above. Each piece must be an unedited performance on the DVD media. Recording must be clearly labeled, including applicant's name, address and works performed.
(d)		enclosed check of $25 for registration fee.

Application, video recording, statement of career goals, references and registration fee must be received by April 15.

The scholarships will be granted by June 15.