Poets Of The Piano

Download competition programme for 16 May 2023

The Competition is open for young pianists of all nationalities.

The Competition will be held in two (2) rounds:

1. The candidates in each category have to submit a raw video audio-visual recording of them performing. Pre-audition of audio-visual recordings submitted by the candidates and selection of the finalists in the two categories – from 16 April to 1 May 2023;
2. Live concert performance by the finalists from the two categories and selection of the winners – 16 May 2023 – Sofia, Concert Hall of the Central Military Club, 18:00h EET (17:00h CET).

Terms of the Competition

Age categories:

• Category А – from 13 to 16 years old
• Category B – from 17 to 20 years old

Requirements for the recordings:

• Unedited audio-visual recording of the candidate’s performance
• Duration of the audio-visual recording:
  • Category A up to 15 minutes
  • Category B – up to 20 minutes
• Content of the audio-visual recording – two musical pieces or parts thereof – of the candidate’s choice
• The two musical pieces have to be written by different composers
• The recording has to be shot in high definition (HD) sound and picture (preferably 1920 x 1080) and must not be edited. The camera has to be within 5 meters of the piano, positioned so that the candidate’s face, hands and feet can be seen throughout the entire performance
• The recording has to be attached/enclosed to the Form as a link that can be downloaded from an online platform (WeTransfer or another platform accessible in Bulgaria)

Requirements for the selected finalists:

• Perform one or more pieces or parts thereof of the candidate’s choice. The pieces must be different than those which the candidate submitted in Round 1
• he duration of the performances should be maximum:
  • for Category A – 10 min.
  • for Category B – 15 min.
• Prepare one piece or part thereof with a duration of up to 10 min. which shall be performed in case the candidate wins and is awarded the Ventsislav Yankoff Scholarship in Category A and Category B. /it is allowed this piece to be one of those that the candidate submitted in the audio-visual recording/

Registration:

• To apply in this competition, please submit your registration form at: foundation@vyankoff.com, by filling the application form (download: Entry form, Consent form, Consent form for minors)
• For candidates under the age of 18, it is mandatory that the registration form has to be filled in and submitted by the candidate and their parent(s)/guardian who officially can represent the candidate at the competition
• If any of the requirements and conditions described above and in the registration form are not met, the candidate will be disqualified from the selection and the competition
• Deadline for application: 16 April 2023.

Participation fee:

• Category А – 30 leva
• Category В – 40 leva

Payment details:

• Recipient: Ventsislav Yankoff Foundation DSK Bank, IBAN: BG65STSA93000029200673 BIC: STSABGSF
• Mandatory text on the payment slip/document: Names of the candidate and text: “Fee for Ventsislav Yankoff Scholarship Competition”
• Payments are accepted only via bank transfer
• Paid fees are not refundable

Ranking of the candidates:

The live performance of the candidates from the two categories in the final concert will be assessed by a prominent international jury which will follow rules of pre-determined rules that will regulate its objective assessment.

Prizes:

• Ventsislav Yankoff Scholarship Category А – 7 000 leva.
• Ventsislav Yankoff Scholarship Category B – 10 000 leva.
• Audience award – 2 000 leva.

There may be additional non-material awards for the prize winners, which will be announced at the awarding ceremony.

Contestations will be accepted only on the day of the competition. In the absence of such contestations, the decision of the jury shall be final and not subject to change.