First International Piccolo Competition
General Conditions (English only)
Varna (Live) + Online | November 13–15, 2026
I. General Conditions
1.1. The First International Piccolo Competition is organized in Varna, Bulgaria, and online, and will be held from November 13th to 15th, 2026.
1.2. The event is hybrid — participation is possible on site in Varna and online.
1.3. The competition is open to piccolo performers from all countries.
1.4. Age groups:
Group I - 13-16 years of age, completed by the start date of the event
Group II - 17-31 years of age, completed by the start date of the event
1.5. The competition consists of two stages: First Round and Final Round.
1.6. The participants will be evaluated by an international jury with Chairman Nicola Mazzanti.
1.7. Up to five (5) contestants from each group will be selected by the jury to proceed from the First Round to the Final Round.
1.8. Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
II. Registration, Fee, and Online Participation
2.1. Registration is required and is completed by filling out the online application form (link to be posted).
2.2. Participation fee: 50 Euro (Group I) / 70 Euro (Group II), paid via bank transfer:
Recipient: European Music Academy Foundation
IBAN: BG89BPBI79451464305002
BIC/SWIFT: BPBIBGSF
2.3. Online participation: Recorded participation must be submitted as follows:
• One (1) video file for the First Round; and
• One (1) separate video file for the Final Round, only if the participant is selected to proceed.
2.4. Videos must follow the organizer’s submission instructions:
http://www.ema.foundation/Youtube_Instructions.pdf
III. Repertoire
3.1. Group I:
First round:
Il pastor fido Sonate op.13 n°2 Nicolas Chédeville « le jeune » (1705 - 1782) Pièces publiées en 1737 sous le nom d'Antonio Vivaldi
Final Round:
Damare - La Danse des Grillons op. 380 and Dimitar Kostantzaliev Piece for Piccolo and Piyano
3.2. Group II:
First Round (Solo only) — August 1st, 2026 /Jury results – September 1st 2026/
Mandatory piece:
• Johannes Donjon (1839–1912): Etude n°1 “Elégie” (from Huit études de salon) / Billaudot, Paris
One piece of choice from the following:
• Amanda Harberg: Hall of Ghosts
• Daniel Dorff: Tweet!
• Stephen Hough: Uno Piccolo Sonatina
Final Round — November 15th, 2026
• Lowell Liebermann: Piccolo Concerto
• Dimitar Kostanzaliev: Four Pieces for Piccolo
IV. Accompanist and Rehearsals
4.1. Participants may request an accompanist/pianist provided by the organizer (pre-ordered through the application form).
4.2. Additional accompanist fees are as follows:
• 30-minute rehearsal: 15 EUR
• Competition performance: 20 EUR
V. Awards
5.1. The jury will award the following prizes:
Group I:
• First Prize: 300 EUR
• Second Prize: 200 EUR
• Third Prize: 100 EUR
Group II:
• First Prize: 600 EUR
• Second Prize: 400 EUR
• Third Prize: 200 EUR
VI. Expenses and Accommodation
6.1. All travel, accommodation, and food costs are the responsibility of the participants.
6.2. Upon inquiry, the organizer can assist with arranging hotel accommodation in Varna.
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