1.1 The 2028 Young Artists Division of the Palm Springs International Piano Competition is open to pianists of  any nationality who are 15 through 20 years of age on January 22, 2028. 

1.2 Palm Springs International Piano Competition does not discriminate against any applicant based on race,  color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, or disability. 

1.3 Admission to the live rounds will be determined by a preliminary screening panel of three distinguished  judges. The decisions of the preliminary screening panel shall be final. 

1.4 The Competition reserves the right to verify eligibility and request additional documentation confirming  age, identity, or other application information. 

1.5 Applicants or competitors requiring a reasonable accommodation should submit a written request to the  Competition as early as possible. Requests will be considered individually and in accordance with applicable  law.

2.1 The Palm Springs International Piano Competition for Young Pianists (the “Competition”) will be held in  Palm Springs, California, from January 22–30, 2028. 

2.2 Live Round 1, the Quarterfinal Round, and the Semi-Final Round will take place at Temple Isaiah in Palm  Springs. The Solo Final and Chamber Music Final will be held January 29, 2028, at The Historic Plaza Theatre.  The Concerto Final with orchestra will be held January 30, 2028, at The Historic Plaza Theatre. 

2.3 Competitors are responsible for their own travel expenses to and from Palm Springs, California. 

2.4 Competitors may arrive in Palm Springs beginning Friday, January 21, 2028. All competitors must arrive  and be present at Temple Isaiah no later than 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2028, and must be available  for all scheduled Competition activities, rehearsals, performances, interviews, photographs, and prize-related  events unless excused in writing by the Artistic Committee. 

2.5 Competitors residing outside the United States may require visas and are responsible for securing all  necessary travel documents. The Competition will provide reasonable assistance after pianists have been  notified of acceptance. 

2.6 All Competition winners must credit awards received from the Palm Springs International Piano  Competition in future publicity. 

2.7 The Competition reserves the right, without payment of fees, to photograph, film, videotape, record,  livestream, broadcast, televise, reproduce, and distribute Competition performances, rehearsals, prize  performances, concerts, interviews, and related activities for archival, promotional, educational, media,  broadcast, online, social media, and other purposes. 

2.8 Competitors may not make commercial recordings of Competition performances without prior written  consent of the Artistic Committee. 

2.9 The Competition reserves the right to modify performance schedules, rehearsal schedules, venues,  collaborative pianist assignments, Competition procedures, and other arrangements as circumstances require.

2.10 By applying, the applicant agrees to abide by these Rules & Regulations. For an applicant who will be  under 18 years of age as of January 22, 2028, the applicant’s parent or legal guardian must also agree to abide  by these Rules & Regulations. 

2.11 The Competition reserves the right to make necessary updates and revisions to these Rules &  Regulations, as approved by the Artistic Committee.

3.1 Applications will open March 1, 2027, at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time and close September 1, 2027, at 11:59 p.m.  Pacific Time. All applicants will be notified of admission no later than October 22, 2027. Late or incomplete  applications may not be accepted. 

3.2 All application materials, including preliminary screening video recordings, must be submitted  electronically through the official Acceptd application portal. DVDs and CDs will not be accepted. 

3.3 Applicants must submit a high-resolution color headshot and a copy of a valid passport or other  government-issued document verifying age. 

3.4 Applicants should retain copies of all submitted materials. Email confirmation will be issued when the  application is complete. The Competition may contact an applicant before confirmation if required materials  are missing. 

3.5 A non-refundable application fee of US $130 must be received from each applicant. 3.6 Applicants are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all submitted materials. 3.7 Additional materials required include: 

• Biography of no more than 200 words. Longer biographies may be edited at the discretion of the Artistic  Committee. 
• Teacher information and signature. 
• Parent or legal guardian information and signature for applicants who will be under 18 years of age as of  January 22, 2028.

4.1 The video submission shall present a program of no more than 20 minutes selected by the applicant. 

4.2 The pianist’s face and hands must remain in the frame at all times. Videos must be recorded with a  stationary camera. 

4.3 Each work must be submitted as a continuous and unedited performance. Recording may not be stopped  or edited between repertoire selections. 

4.4 Videos must have been filmed within six months of the application deadline. 

4.5 Preliminary screening shall be conducted anonymously. Videos and filenames must not include the  applicant’s name, spoken introduction, identifying title card, school affiliation, teacher’s name, or other  identifying information. 

4.6 Audio or video editing, splicing, overdubbing, artificial enhancement, or alteration of the performance is  prohibited. Normal microphone placement and basic recording-level adjustment are permitted.

4.7 Works performed in the preliminary screening video may be performed again during the live Competition  rounds, subject to the repertoire rules for those rounds.

5.1 The Competition will consist of three elimination rounds: Live Round 1 (20 competitors), Quarterfinal  Round (12 competitors), and Semi-Final Round (6 competitors). 

5.2 All six Semi-Finalists shall participate in both components of the Semi-Final Round: the Chamber Music  Semi-Final and the Concerto Semi-Final with second piano. 

5.3 Following completion of both Semi-Final components, the Jury shall select three finalists independently for  each of the following categories: Solo Final, Chamber Music Final, and Concerto Final. 

5.4 A competitor may be selected for one Final category, two Final categories, or all three Final categories.  Selection for one category does not guarantee selection for another. 

5.5 Semi-Finalists will receive scheduled rehearsals with the Competition-provided chamber musicians and  collaborative second pianist. Rehearsal schedules and performance assignments will be established by the  Competition. 

5.6 All live rounds are open to the public.

6.1 Applicants must complete and submit the official Application Form and Cover Sheet. Repertoire changes or substitutions requested on or before November 10, 2027, require written approval of the Artistic Committee.  No repertoire changes or substitutions will be permitted after that date. 

6.2 All repertoire in all rounds must be performed from memory unless otherwise specified. Competitors may  determine the order of their programs, subject to the applicable time limit and approved repertoire  submission. 

6.3 All performances will be timed by an official Competition monitor. Unless otherwise stated, time limits  refer to actual performance time and exclude pauses between works. The Jury reserves the right to stop a  performance that exceeds the prescribed time limit. 

6.4 Printed music, electronic tablets, phones, and other electronic devices may not be used during  performance unless expressly authorized in writing by the Artistic Committee. 

6.5 Competitors who withdraw, fail to appear for a scheduled performance or rehearsal, or fail to comply with  these Rules & Regulations may be disqualified at the discretion of the Artistic Committee. 

6.6 The Jury may withhold advancement if, in its judgment, the required artistic standard has not been met. 6.7 All decisions of the Jury shall be final and not subject to appeal. 

7.1 A juror shall disclose any professional, educational, familial, or financial relationship with a competitor that  could create an actual or perceived conflict of interest. The Competition shall determine whether the juror  must abstain from evaluating or voting for that competitor.

7.2 From the commencement of the Competition through the announcement of the final awards, competitors, teachers, parents, guardians, and representatives may not communicate with members of the Jury regarding  any competitor’s performance, advancement, scoring, or evaluation. 

7.3 Each competitor will receive written evaluative comments from the jurors following the conclusion of the  Competition, by mail. Jury ballots, rankings, deliberations, and voting records shall remain confidential. 

7.4 Teachers may request a copy of a competitor’s written comments with the written consent of the  competitor and, for competitors under 18, the competitor’s parent or legal guardian. 

8.1 The following prizes will be awarded in each Final category: 

Solo Final 

• Gold Medal / First Prize — $10,000 
• Silver Medal / Second Prize — $7,500 
• Bronze Medal / Third Prize — $5,000 

Chamber Music Final 

• Gold Medal / First Prize — $7,500 
• Silver Medal / Second Prize — $5,000 
• Bronze Medal / Third Prize — $2,500 

Concerto Final 

• Gold Medal / First Prize — $10,000 
• Silver Medal / Second Prize — $7,500 
• Bronze Medal / Third Prize — $5,000 

8.2 In addition to the cash award, each Gold Medalist / First Prize winner will receive a Laureate Career  Development Package for 2028–2030, including meaningful touring and performance opportunities, a  professional recording with Yamaha Artist Services in New York, and a professional photography package. 

8.3 All announced prizes will be awarded, and no ties will be permitted. Additional performance awards may  be announced at the conclusion of the Competition. 

8.4 Winners are expected to honor all commitments resulting from their prizes, awards, and Laureate Career  Development Package. 

8.5 Prizes may be subject to applicable tax reporting and withholding requirements. 

9.1 All competitors will be offered complimentary host-family lodging and local transportation, together with  reasonable access to a practice piano. Competitors who are under 18 years of age may also be accompanied in host-family lodging by one parent or legal guardian, at no charge. 

9.2 Competitors who are under 18 years of age as of January 22, 2028, are required to be accompanied by a  parent or legal guardian throughout the Competition. Competitors who have reached the age of majority (18  years of age or older) are not required to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

9.3 For competitors under 18 years of age, the accompanying parent or legal guardian remains responsible for the competitor’s supervision, welfare, medical decisions, and conduct. Minor competitors may attend  scheduled rehearsals, performances, assigned practice sessions, and other Competition activities  independently when permitted by the Competition, provided the parent or legal guardian remains reachable  and available to respond promptly. Competition staff, volunteers, host families, and venue personnel do not  assume custodial responsibility for a competitor except as expressly agreed in writing. 

9.4 Host-family assignments are made at the discretion of the Competition and may be changed if  circumstances require. 

9.5 Host-family lodging is offered to all competitors. Competitors who elect to arrange their own  accommodations are responsible for the cost of those accommodations and for their own local transportation  unless otherwise approved by the Competition. Competitors under 18 remain subject to the parent or legal  guardian requirements set forth above. 

9.6 A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided Monday through Thursday during the Competition  rounds held at Temple Isaiah. Continental breakfast is optional and will include light selections such as fruit,  pastries, oatmeal, and similar items. 

9.7 Competitors who are eliminated and choose to remain in Palm Springs are welcome to attend the  continental breakfasts and lunches provided Monday through Thursday at Temple Isaiah. 

9.8 Sunday, January 23, 2028, will be a designated practice day. Snacks will be available at Temple Isaiah;  continental breakfast and lunch will not be served. Not every host home will have a piano. Competitors who  draw performance positions 1–10 and do not have a piano in their host home will be assigned access to a  practice piano for Sunday. Additional practice times will be scheduled to provide reasonable and equitable  access throughout the Competition. 

9.9 On Saturday, January 22, competitors will participate in mandatory check-in and orientation beginning at  2:15 p.m. Each competitor will receive one five-minute competition-piano familiarization period beginning at  approximately 3:00 p.m. After this familiarization period, the competition piano will be off limits to that  competitor until the competitor’s scheduled performance. A reception will begin at 4:30 p.m.; the drawing of  lots will take place at 5:30 p.m.; and the Sunday practice schedule will be posted by approximately 6:30 p.m.

10.1 Competitors, parents, guardians, teachers, jurors, staff, volunteers, and guests are expected to conduct  themselves professionally and respectfully throughout the Competition. 

10.2 Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, retaliation, or disruptive behavior may result in removal from  Competition activities or disqualification. 

10.3 Competitors and accompanying adults must comply with venue requirements, host-family expectations,  Competition schedules, and reasonable instructions from authorized Competition personnel.

11.1 Repertoire Philosophy 

The repertoire framework is intended to encourage individual artistic expression.  Except where expressly stated otherwise, competitors may select complete works,  individual movements, or excerpts from the eligible repertoire and arrange them in an order of their choosing. Competitors are not expected to perform every work or every  composer listed. Each program should form a cohesive artistic statement  demonstrating imagination, stylistic understanding, communication, and the  competitor’s individual musical voice. 

The Competition also recognizes collaborative artistry as an essential component of a  developing professional musician. Readiness for serious chamber collaboration is one  of the qualities PSIPC considers part of being an exceptional young artist.

11.2 Preliminary Screening Round 

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TIME • 20 MINUTES 

Repertoire of the competitor’s choice. Works performed in the screening video may be repeated in the live  rounds, subject to the requirements of each round. 

11.3 Live Round 1 

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TIME • 30 MINUTES 

Competitors shall select their program exclusively from the eligible repertoire listed below. Competitors may  choose repertoire from any one composer or by any combination of the composers listed and are not  required to include works by more than one composer. 

Competitors may perform complete works, individual movements, or excerpts from the eligible repertoire.  Programs should demonstrate thoughtful artistic planning and must remain within the prescribed  performance time. 

ELIGIBLE REPERTOIRE 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 

• Any Sonata 

Ludwig van Beethoven 

• Sonata in A Major, Op. 2, No. 2 
• Sonata in D Major, Op. 10, No. 3 
• Sonata in C Minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”) 

Sergei Rachmaninoff 

• Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4 
• Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5 

Sergei Prokofiev 

• March from The Love for Three Oranges

11.4 Quarterfinal Round 

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TIME • 35 MINUTES 

Competitors shall select their program exclusively from the eligible repertoire specified below. Competitors  may select repertoire from any one composer or from any combination of the composers listed and are not  required to include works by more than one composer.

Unless otherwise specified, competitors may select any combination of the eligible works listed under each  composer. Programs must remain within the prescribed performance time. 

ELIGIBLE REPERTOIRE 

Johann Sebastian Bach 

• Any Prelude and Fugue from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I or Book II 
• Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639 (transcribed for piano by Ferruccio Busoni) 
• Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 (transcribed for piano by Ferruccio Busoni) 

George Frideric Handel 

• Minuet in G Minor (arranged for piano by Wilhelm Kempff) 

Sergei Rachmaninoff 

• Prelude in D Major, Op. 23, No. 4 
• Prelude in G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5 
• Prelude in E-flat Major, Op. 23, No. 6 
• Prelude in G Major, Op. 32, No. 5 
• Prelude in G-sharp Minor, Op. 32, No. 12 

Competitors may select other Rachmaninoff Preludes in place of, or in addition to, the works listed above, provided the  program remains within the prescribed performance time. 

Sergei Prokofiev 

• Romeo and Juliet, Op. 75: Montagues and Capulets and Mercutio ~ Competitors who select Romeo and Juliet,  Op. 75 must perform both Montagues and Capulets and Mercutio. The two selections may not be  performed individually. 
• March from The Love for Three Oranges 
• Suggestion diabolique, Op. 4, No. 4

11.5 Semi-Final Round
All six Semi-Finalists are required to participate in both Semi-Final components.

A. Chamber Music Semi-Final
Each Semi-Finalist shall perform an assigned movement or combination of movements from Felix Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49, with the professional violinist and cellist provided by the Competition. Assignments and performance order shall be determined by random draw following the announcement of the six Semi-Finalists. The Competition will communicate the official edition and rehearsal schedule. Competitors are expected to prepare the complete piano part sufficiently to perform the assignment determined by the draw.

B. Concerto Semi-Final – Performance with Second Piano
Each competitor shall select one complete concerto from the required repertoire below. In the Semi-Final Round, each competitor shall perform one movement of the competitor’s choice from the selected concerto with second-piano accompaniment. The selected concerto must be prepared in its entirety for possible performance in the Concerto Final.

Required Repertoire

Sergei Rachmaninoff
• Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 1

Sergei Prokofiev
• Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat Major, Op. 10

George Gershwin
• Concerto in F

Dmitri Shostakovich
• Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major, Op. 102

The Competition will identify the official edition and provide the conductor and orchestra with the required performance materials. Finalists will receive notice of the official edition, any approved cuts, cadenzas, and performance instructions. Competitors remain responsible for preparing the complete solo part.
Following both Semi-Final components, the Jury will select three finalists independently for the Solo Final, Chamber Music Final, and Concerto Final.

11.6 Solo Final 

MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE TIME • 35 MINUTES 

Each Solo Finalist shall present a program selected from the eligible repertoire for the Preliminary Screening  Round, Live Round 1, and Quarterfinal Round. A finalist may reuse individual works, movements, or excerpts  performed in an earlier round; however, the Solo Final program may not be identical in its entirety to the  program presented in any previous round. The program should constitute a distinctive and cohesive artistic  statement and remain within the prescribed performance time. 

11.7 Chamber Music Final 

Each Chamber Music Finalist shall perform an assigned movement or combination of movements from Felix  Mendelssohn’s Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49, as determined by random draw. 

Immediately following the announcement of the finalists at the conclusion of the Semi-Final Round, each  Chamber Music Finalist shall participate in a random draw to determine the movement to be performed. The  movement drawn shall also determine the order of performance: 

• 1st Performer  Movement I 
• 2nd Performer  Movements II & III 
• 3rd Performer  Movement IV 

The results of the draw shall be final. The Competition will provide the collaborating string musicians and  communicate the official rehearsal schedule and performance edition to the finalists. 

11.8 Concerto Final 

Each Concerto Finalist shall perform with orchestra the complete concerto selected and prepared for the Semi Final Round. No change of concerto will be permitted following the application repertoire deadline. 

The Competition will identify the official edition and provide all required orchestral performance materials to  the conductor and orchestra. Finalists will receive notice of the official edition, approved cuts, cadenzas,  rehearsal requirements, and other performance instructions. Each finalist is responsible for preparing the  complete solo part.

12.1 Each competitor participating in the Competition will receive two complimentary tickets for each day of  the Competition Finals on January 29 and January 30, 2028.

12.2 Each competitor will also receive admission for the competitor and one guest to the post-awards VIP  reception held on each Finals day.

13.1 Questions of interpretation or matters not expressly addressed in these Rules & Regulations shall be  resolved by the Artistic Committee. Its determinations shall be final. 

13.2 The Palm Springs International Piano Competition reserves the right to interpret these Rules &  Regulations in a manner consistent with the artistic mission and integrity of the Competition.