Paris International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs 2027: Worldwide, Age 18+

Who can join the Paris amateur piano contest

The 34th International Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs welcomes high-level amateur pianists from around the world to Paris on March 3–7, 2027. Anyone aged at least eighteen can enter, with no maximum age and no nationality restriction, but professional pianists cannot compete. Doctors, office workers, journalists, students, engineers and retirees are among the profiles the organisers explicitly encourage. This is a specialist performance contest for people whose piano skills are advanced even though piano performance is not their professional career. The final takes place at Salle Gaveau in Paris.

Three live rounds and how to register

There is no set piece list. The preliminaries on March 3–4 involve a freely chosen piece or programme of up to ten minutes. Ten contestants qualify for the March 5 semifinal at 6 p.m., which requires one work by Bach and one Romantic piece in no more than fifteen minutes combined. Five finalists advance to March 7 at 3 p.m. and play a free thirty-minute programme, which may repeat works from earlier rounds. Supply the application form, full name, address, occupation and JPG portrait; the French-language rules also ask for two stamped self-addressed envelopes with the postal application. International applicants should check how to satisfy postage and photo requirements from their country.

December 1 deadline and conflicting fee currencies

Entries close on December 1, 2026, or earlier if the first one hundred accepted applications fill the cap. The original French organiser page lists a €50 registration fee and a prize valued at €3,000 together with an orchestral concert in Paris. However, the English version of the same official site says $60 registration and a $3,000 award, while its Japanese translation also uses dollars for the prize. This currency discrepancy is genuine and unresolved; verify the payable fee, prize denomination and payment instructions with the organiser before transferring money. Travel and accommodation are not described as guaranteed grants.

Independent editorial translation of the organiser's competition notice. Before paying or travelling, confirm current rules, fees, programme, prize currency and permission to perform and record. The organiser's original rules prevail.

Official French registration and rules: https://www.pianoamateurs.com/inscription/

Official English translation (currency values differ): https://www.pianoamateurs.com/en/inscription/