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Categories Requirements Piano Day Adjudicators Contact
Texas Lutheran University School of Music

TLU Young Artist Piano Competition

A welcoming competition for pre-college pianists, featuring both Solo Piano and Piano Ensemble categories.

Important Dates

Application Deadline
January 9, 2027
Event Day
TLU Piano Day
January 23, 2027
Winners’ Recital • Masterclass • Lessons

Competition Overview

Open to pre-college pianists in Grades 1–12. Participants may enter Solo Piano, Piano Ensemble, or both categories.

Competition Categories
Category 1

Solo Piano

  • One work for solo piano
  • Memorization required
  • Concertos and works requiring accompaniment are not permitted
Category 2

Piano Ensemble

  • One work for piano four hands, piano six hands, or two pianos
  • Memorization not required
  • Mixed-grade ensembles are placed according to the grade level of the oldest member
4 min
Grades 1–4
7 min
Grades 5–8
10 min
Grades 9–12
Competition Requirements Application Coming Soon

Video & Application Requirements

Video Submission

  1. Each submitted work must be performed in one continuous take.
  2. The camera should remain stationary and provide a clear view of the performer’s face, hands, keyboard, and pedals.
  3. Videos may be submitted as an unlisted YouTube link or a Google Drive link set to “Anyone with the link can view.”
  4. An acoustic piano is recommended whenever possible.
  5. Professional recording equipment is not required; however, the audio and video must be clear enough for fair adjudication.

Application

  • Application fee: $25 per participant, per category.
  • Participants entering both Solo Piano and Piano Ensemble must submit a separate application and fee for each category.
  • For Piano Ensemble, each ensemble member pays the $25 application fee individually.
  • Parent or guardian consent is required for participants under 18.

TLU Piano Day

Cash Awards
Grand Prize
$200
Second Prize
$150
Third Prize
$100

Awards may be presented based on the number and quality of applications received.

January 23, 2027
TLU PIANO DAY
Winners’ Recital • Masterclass • Lessons
Winners’ Recital
Selected competition winners perform their submitted repertoire.
Masterclass
Coaching, performance, and shared learning in a collaborative masterclass setting.
Lessons
Personalized one-on-one instruction and musical guidance from TLU piano faculty.

2027 Adjudicators

Adjudicator photo 2

Giyong Ahn

Texas Tech University

Diana Cooper

Diana Cooper

Smithson Valley HS
Comal ISD

Kaden Larson

Kaden Larson

Tyler Junior College

SungEun Park

SungEun Park

Texas Lutheran University

Contact

Dr. SungEun Park

Director of Piano Studies and Music Theory

Texas Lutheran University School of Music

supark@tlu.edu