Regulations

REGULATIONS
International Piano Competition “Young Virtuoso” 
part of the International Piano Forum "Bieszczady without borders" in Sanok
 
In accordance with clause 7, subclause 1 (§ 7 pkt. 1 statutu), the Podkarpacka Foundation for the Development of Culture realizes its goals through the organization of the International Piano Competition “Young Virtuoso” in Sanok , Poland
 
§ 1
INTRODUCTION
The International Piano Competition “Young Virtuoso” (henceforth called the Competition), which is held in Sanok, Poland, is organized by the Podkarpacka Foundation for the Development of Culture (henceforth called the Foundation). The goal of this competition is to showcase the successes and achievements of students, while also conglomerating teachers to prompt the exchange of ideas, experiences and knowledge regarding Piano Pedagogy.

§ 2
PARTICIPATION
  1. The XVII edition of the Competition, which will take place 31.01-01.02.2026, is addressed to participants of the XXI International Piano Forum “Bieszczady without Borders” as well as Applicants who register to take part in the Competition. The Participants will perform before 4 Jury Panels in one of the following age-based categories :
a)   Group I – Participants born 2015 or later
b)   Group II – Participants born in the year 2014
c)   Group III – Participants born 2012-2013
d)   Group IV – amateurs with no age limit
  1. Auditions will be held in the Concert Hall of the W. Kossakowa State School of Music in Sanok on 31.01.2026, starting 2:30 pm.
  2. Each Participant is required to prepare two pieces of their choice or a cycle that lasts 3-10 minutes. Performance from memory is required.
  3. The condition for participating in the competition is to submit a portrait photo for the booklet online by December 31, 2025, pay the entry fee, and submit a completed application form available on the website: https://aplikacja.interpiano.pl/pl/#/
  4. Applications submitted after the designated deadline require the organizer's consent and an additional fee of 50 PLN.
  5. 31.01.26 - 2:30 PM - Auditions of Participants within the XVII edition at the Music School in Sanok
    31.01.26 - 7:30 PM - Concert Inaugurating the Master School of Piano Pedagogy
    01.02.26 - 4:00 PM - Diploma, Medal, and Award Ceremony, as well as Concert of the Winners of the XVII edition of the "Young Virtuoso" International Music Competition in Sanok
  6. The Jury will award the titles „Gold Virtuoso”, „Silver Virtuoso”, and Bronze Virtuoso” depending on the points given to the Participant, along with a “Grand Prix” award in the case where full marks are given. The titles obtained at the International Piano Competition "Young Virtuoso" mean:
    Golden Virtuoso – 1st place
    Silver Virtuoso – 2nd place
    Bronze Virtuoso – 3rd place.
  7. In the event that the Participant is not present to obtain their reward, awards which are material in nature will be automatically forfeited.
  8. Members of the Jury Panels will be comprised of Pedagogues participating at the Master School of Piano Pedagogy (XV Mistrzowskiej Szkoły Pedagogiki Fortepianowej), 2026 Edition.
  9. The Piano Pedagogue the successfully prepares the most Laureates in the Competition will be awarded a monetary award titled “Teacher of Virtuosos 2026”.

§ 3
PAYMENT

1. To participate in the Course, it is required that each Applicant to pay a Registration Fee of 400 PLN/ €100/ 3500 UAH which must be deposited at the following account:

To: Podkarpacka Fundacja Rozwoju Kultury
Address: ul. 3 Maja 15, 38-500 Sanok
PEKAO SA nr 64 1240 2340 1111 0010 7473 4132
Description: “MW”
2. International Participants from outside of Poland are asked to deposit their fee at the following account:
No. of IBAN: PL 91 1240 2340 1978 0010 4831 7354       SWIFT/ BIC code: PKOPPLPWXXX 
Description  “MW".
2. The Registration Fee should be paid within 7 work days following the submission of Registration Form.
3. Active Participants registered to take part in the XX International Piano Forum “Bieszczady without Borders” that have selected the “Young Virtuoso” as their course of choice are exempt from paying the above fee. More details may be found in the following link:https://forum.interpiano.pl/pol/4  
4. The fee applies each time for participation in the competition, including performances in duets. A participant entering the competition solo and in a duet must pay the fee twice, with the duet fee of 400 PLN split between 2 people.
5. In the event that the Applicant resigns;
a)     Prior to 31.12.2025, the Applicant will “be reimbursed the registration fee minus the handling cost of a maximum of 10% the registration fee.
b)     After 31.12.2025, the registration fee will not be refunded
 
§ 4
REMOTE PARTICIPATION
 
1. The Podkarpacka Fundacja Rozwoju Kultury, the main organizer of the "Young Virtuoso" International Piano Competition in Sanok, has decided to expand the form of participation in the competition to include a previously prepared and submitted audio-video presentation. This way, quarantine, illness, or other unforeseen events will not hinder participation in the competition. Personal participation or the submission of an audio-video recording will be treated equally, with the following conditions:
 
a) Two competition pieces, recording "without editing", will be sent to the Foundation's Office by January 15, 2026.
b) At the beginning of the presentation, please record the name and surname of the participant and the title of the works.
c) "Online" participants will receive a diploma with the result of the Competition by post to the address of the represented Music School or to their home address.
 

§ 5
CONCLUSION

  1. Changes in the Regulations for the Competition are made by the Committee of the Foundation.
  2. Regulations of the Competition are binding once the application form is received and continue to be binding until its nullification.