Senior Piano Syllabus
Please be sure you are familiar with the Rules.
In particular, the time limit of each class:
5 minutes, unless otherwise stated in the class description.
11Piano Solo Classical Own Selection11 and 12 years
“Classical” is taken to mean Composers before Schubert.
12Piano Solo Romantic Or Modern Own Selection11 and 12 years
“Romantic or Modern” is taken to mean works by Composers from Schubert onwards.
13Piano Solo Sight Reading11 and 12 years
14Piano Solo Classical Own Selection13 and 14 years
“Classical” is taken to mean Composers before Schubert.
15Piano Solo Romantic Or Modern Own Selection13 and 14 years
“Romantic or Modern” is taken to mean works by Composers from Schubert onwards.
16Piano Solo Sight Reading13 and 14 years
17Piano Solos Classical Own Selection15 and older
“Classical” is taken to mean composers before Schubert.
18Piano Solos Romantic or Modern Own Selection15 and older
“Romantic or Modern” is taken to mean works by Composers from Schubert onwards.
19Piano Solo Sight Reading15 and older
21Piano Solo NZ Composer11 to 17 years
23Piano Solo Own Selection J.S. Bach11 to 16 years
Any keyboard work composed by J. S. Bach. Arrangements are not acceptable
24Piano Duet Own Selection, One Piece Onlyopen
Competitors may only play in one item in each class. Make only 1 entry per team/group.
24cPiano Double Duo (2 Pianos,8 Hands) Own Selectionopen$16
Competitors may only play in one item in each class. Make only 1 entry per team/group.
25Piano Concerto11 to 17 years$20
Competitors must also enter and play in at least one other Class. Mozart Piano Concerto in A Major K.414 1st mvt and cadenza only The second Piano (Orchestral Part) will not be judged and may be played by a Teacher. Three finalists will be chosen and will perform with the Devonport Chamber Orchestra on Sunday 31 May 2026 at 2:30pm at Takapuna Pumphouse The finalists will have the opportunity to rehearse with the Orchestra.
26Piano Scholarship (Junior)11 and 12 years$20
To enter a Scholarship class, competitor must enter classes 11, 12 and 13 along with Class 26
27Piano Scholarship (Intermediate)13 and 14 years$20
To enter a Scholarship class, competitors must enter classes 14, 15 and 16 along with Class 27
28Piano Scholarship (Senior)15 and older$20
To enter a Scholarship class, competitors must enter classes 17, 18 and 19 along with Class 28
32Piano Sonata Recital14 and older$25
Competitors must also enter and play in at least one other class. Competitors to play the first movement only in the first session, but must be prepared to play more if requested by the Adjudicator. Recalls will play the whole Sonata on the Final night. The winner to receive the N.Z. School of Music Cup and $1000 donated by Mr & Mrs I Knight The second prize is $400 donated by Mr & Mrs I Knight and the third prize is $150 donated by Brian Sayer
34Young Performer Of The Year Award - Piano Recital15 to 20 years$20
2026 CRITERIA FOR PIANOFORTE A. Performers will be 15 and under 21 years as at 1st of October 2026. B. Each competitor will perform a programme with a maximum time of 20 minutes – from the start of playing. There will be a total mark given for the complete programme. A penalty of 5 marks will be imposed if the time limit is exceeded by 30 seconds or more. C. The programme will consist of three contrasting pieces from different periods of musical history, i.e. Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist, 20th Century, 21st Century or Contemporary. D. In the event of a large number of entries requiring a semi-final, competitors will be chosen based on their marks in the Preliminary round. The number of semi-finalists is determined as per the NYPA rules 7.1-7.2. Those competitors recalled will repeat their complete programme, as stated in B and C. E. Three finalists will be chosen for the Final Award Concert and will perform one item from their original programme, as directed by the Adjudicator. COMPETITORS PLEASE NOTE Only enter the Nomination class if you are seeking a Nomination AND are committed to attending and competing at the National Young Performer Awards in Palmerston North 23-25 Oct 2026. SOCIETY NOMINATION Each Society, which is a financial member of PACANZ, may nominate up to two competitors, who shall be selected by the adjudicator, based on a performance as outlined in A-D. The adjudicator will determine that a competitor has displayed a sufficient standard of performance to competently represent that society at the National Finals. The standard required will be at the absolute discretion of the adjudicator but will include: • A demonstration of adequate preparation • An authority of performance • A performance with a level of maturity commensurate with a national final competition of this age group. If the adjudicator considers that sufficient standard has NOT been reached by any competitor, then NO nomination will be made. The Nominating Society is responsible for paying part of the entry fee to the National Young Performer Awards i.e. $80 inc gst per Nominee Each Nominee is responsible for paying the rest of the entry fee to the National Young Performer Awards i.e. $230.00 incl gst DIRECT ENTRY NOMINATION If the adjudicator considers that more than two competitors have reached a sufficient standard the adjudicator may report to the committee that those competitors should be given the option of a DIRECT ENTRY NOMINATION. The DIRECT ENTRY nominee will be responsible for paying the full entry fee i.e. $310.00 incl gst.