COMPETITION REGULATIONS

Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Competition Dates: June 6–7, 2026
Venue: Işık University Şile Campus Concert Hall

COMPETITION RULES

The II. SunArt•IST International Piano Competition will be held in a single-round format.
All participants will be evaluated through live performances in front of the jury.

1. CATEGORIES AND AGE GROUPS

The II. SunArt•IST International Piano Competition is organized in two categories: Solo and Piano Duo.

Participants may apply to both categories, thus having the opportunity to perform both individually and as a piano duo.

Solo Category – Age Groups

The competition is open to young pianists aged 6–25.

The competition is conducted at professional standards and is not limited to conservatory students.
All young pianists who receive serious musical training are welcome to apply.

Participants will be evaluated according to their age as of the application date, within the following categories:

Category A: 6–7 years → Maximum 4 minutes
Category B: 8–9 years → Maximum 6 minutes
Category C: 10–11 years → Maximum 8 minutes
Category D: 12–14 years → Maximum 12 minutes
Category E: 15–17 years → Maximum 15 minutes
Category F: 18–25 years → Maximum 22 minutes

Category H – Piano Duo

(No age limit) → Maximum 15 minutes

Participants will be evaluated by the jury according to their age group.
Duo partners may be from different age groups.

Performance Time & Evaluation Criteria

The jury will consider only whether the maximum time limit is exceeded; there is no minimum duration requirement.
In all solo categories, participants must perform at least three different pieces.
Selection of works from different musical periods and characters is recommended.
If time allows, participants may optionally perform a fourth piece, provided that the total duration does not exceed the maximum time limit.
In jury evaluation, artistic level of the program, repertoire diversity, technical proficiency, and musical interpretation will be decisive rather than the number of pieces performed.
Participants will be scored according to technical and artistic criteria appropriate to their age group.
Age categories will be determined based on June 4, 2026.

2. COMPETITION PROGRAM

Categories A & B (Ages 6–9) – Program

Participants must present a free program consisting of works selected from the classical music repertoire, reflecting at least two different periods and musical characters.

Program guidelines:

Works should belong to different musical periods (e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern, or Contemporary).
The program is expected to include varied technical and musical characteristics.
The program must include a minimum of three pieces.

Category C (Ages 10–11) – Program

Participants must present a program consisting of three different pieces, structured as follows:

A Baroque or Classical work
(e.g. Bach Little Preludes / Inventions; works at the level of Clementi, Diabelli, Kuhlau; Beethoven Sonatinas or Sonatas – first or last movement)
A Romantic, Modern, or Contemporary work
A technical work (etude or virtuoso-style piece)

Category D (Ages 12–14) – Program

Participants must present a program consisting of at least three different works:

A Baroque or Classical work
(e.g. Bach two- or three-part Inventions, Scarlatti sonatas, Mozart / Haydn / Beethoven sonatas – first or last movement level)
A Romantic, Modern, or Contemporary work
A virtuoso etude
(minimum level: Czerny Op. 299, Loeschhorn, Moszkowski, etc.)

Category E (Ages 15–17) – Program

Participants must present a program consisting of at least three different works:

A Baroque or Classical work
(Bach Suite or Prelude & Fugue; Mozart / Haydn / Beethoven sonatas – first or last movement level)
A Romantic, Modern, or Contemporary work
An advanced virtuoso etude
(minimum level: Czerny Op. 740; Chopin, Liszt, Moszkowski, Rachmaninoff, etc.)

Category F (Ages 18–25) – Program

Participants must present a program consisting of at least four different works:

A Baroque work or a large-scale work
(Preludes and fugues, suites, partitas, toccatas, or the first movement of a sonata from the Classical, Romantic, or Modern period, or variation works.)
A Romantic work
A Modern or Contemporary work
A virtuoso etude
(Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Stravinsky, etc.)

Category H – Piano Duo – Program

Participants must present a free program consisting of at least two, preferably three works of different musical periods and characters.

The repertoire should reflect variety in musical periods and character.
Flexibility in the number of works is allowed, provided that the total duration does not exceed the time limit.

There is no age limit.
Duo partners may be of different ages, and jury evaluation will consider each participant’s individual age group.

3. PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

All works must be performed from memory.
Da Capo (D.C.) is permitted; however, repeats (reprises) must not be observed.
Participants are required to wear stage-appropriate concert attire.
The rehearsal schedule will be announced on June 3, 2026.
Each participant must attend their assigned rehearsal time.
Participants who do not appear at the scheduled time will forfeit their rehearsal right.
Rehearsal duration and other technical details will be announced via the official social media channels prior to the competition.

4. JURY DECISIONS

The jury may award Honorable Mention, Encouragement Awards, or Special Jury Prizes to participants who do not place but are deemed successful.
The jury may award the same prize to more than one participant; in such cases, monetary prizes will be divided equally.
The jury reserves the right not to award a prize if deemed appropriate.
Jury members may be faculty members of various conservatories and educational institutions.
If an applicant is a student of a jury member, that jury member will not participate in the evaluation of the applicant.
Jury decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

All awards will be announced and presented at the Gala Award Ceremony, which will take place on June 7, 2026, following live performances and jury evaluations.

5. FEES AND PAYMENT

Participation fees are determined according to age categories.
All fees are single-round fees and must be paid in full at the time of application.

Category		Age Group	Fee
Category A		6–7	5000 TL
Category B		8–9	6000 TL
Category C	10–11		7000 TL
Category D	12–14		7000 TL
Category E	15–17		8000 TL
Category F	18–25		8000 TL
Category H (Piano Duo)	No age limit		8000 TL (total for two participants)

Note: Participants may apply for more than one category.
Each category requires a separate fee.

6. PHOTO, VIDEO, AND PROMOTIONAL RIGHTS

All photo and video recordings taken during the competition may be used for archival and promotional purposesby the organization.
By applying, participants grant prior consent for the use of all submitted photo, video, and audio materials for promotion, announcements, and archival purposes.
These materials may be used on www.sunartistfest.com, social media platforms, and printed materials.

Transportation, Accommodation, and Other Expenses

All transportation, accommodation, and meal expenses during the competition and festival are the responsibility of the participants.
The organization does not cover these expenses but may provide recommended accommodation options on the competition website upon request.

Refund Policy

Competition application fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
No refunds will be issued in case of withdrawal after payment.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The following documents must be submitted in full during the application process:

Copy of national ID or passport
Passport-style photo or artistic portrait
Completed application form
Proof of payment (bank receipt)
- The payment description must include “competition fee” and the participant’s full name.
All applications must be submitted via www.sunartistfest.com.
The payment receipt must be uploaded during the application process.
Applications with missing documents will be considered invalid.

Contact: info@sunartistfest.com