Oxford Piano Competition 2027: Young Conservatoire Pianists Apply by 3 November
The Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals is taking entries for its 2027 edition, scheduled for February 13–14 at Radley College near Oxford, England. Entries close on November 3, 2026. The competition is for pianists aged 35 and under with an undergraduate, postgraduate or former conservatoire-student background. In association with Shigeru Kawai, it offers three cash prizes and a concerto performance opportunity for the first-prize winner. This is a specialist professional-level piano class within Oxford Music Festival, not a competition restricted to pupils who attend Radley College.
Who can enter?
The stated level is for aspiring professionals, including undergraduate and postgraduate conservatoire students and graduates, aged 35 or younger. The organizer’s public competition page does not announce an across-the-board requirement for UK citizenship or residence, so artists based abroad should consult the formal festival syllabus for any administrative conditions before arranging travel. Likewise, performers should check the entry fee in the official 'My Festival' system rather than assuming participation is free: the main page does not quote a specific application charge.
Dates, venue and two possible rounds
The competition is held in the Music Building at Radley College, Radley, Oxfordshire OX14 2HR. If enough entrants apply, a preliminary round will be run on Saturday February 13, with morning and afternoon sessions. Its format is an own-choice programme between 10 and 15 minutes; the selections need not come from the programme prepared for the main round. The organizer makes clear that the preliminary stage is conditional on the number of entries, so entrants should keep both competition dates free until they receive the final schedule.
The main round: a 25–30 minute recital
On Sunday February 14, the main competition asks each pianist to perform an own-choice recital lasting no less than 25 and no more than 30 minutes. The performances are adjudicated and three finalists are chosen. At 7 p.m. the three finalists present their recital programmes again in the public Gala Final Round Concert, followed by final judging and presentation of the prizes. When designing a recital, performers should account for stage transitions and the total timing of the pieces, not just the listed duration of a recording.
Prizes and subsequent performance work
First prize is £500 together with an own-choice concerto engagement in Oxford with one of the city’s orchestras. Second prize is £200, third prize £100. The organisers are also developing additional solo performance opportunities for all three finalists. The concerto engagement is a separate artistic opportunity, not simply a promise to pay extra cash; the score, planning and rehearsal terms will need to be coordinated with the host ensemble.
How to enter correctly in the festival system
Registration and entry are handled through the Oxford Music Festival website. New entrants create an account under 'My Festival | Sign-in | Register New User'. After logging in, choose 'My Festival | Syllabus | Classes | Section 1, Class C' to find the aspiring-professionals piano competition. This is important because Oxford Music Festival also contains classes for instruments and performers of many levels. Read the class-specific syllabus, pay any indicated entry charge and confirm that the correct class appears in your submitted entries before November 3.
Preparing for the jury and travel
The 2027 adjudicator is the pianist, teacher and writer Bryce Morrison. Radley College provides a Steinway Model D, a Yamaha CFX and practice facilities in its Music Building. Performers travelling from elsewhere in the UK or abroad should take care to arrange a workable journey, especially if the Saturday preliminary round is needed, and not assume that transport or accommodation will be subsidised: no such guarantee is given on the official competition page.
Official information
Oxford Piano Competition for Aspiring Professionals: rules, prizes, timetable and entry instructions
Information reviewed October 18, 2026. Check the current class syllabus and your submission confirmation for any adjustments in fees, repertoire rules, stage timing or availability.