The North American Competition is open to pianists who will be age 17 by the first day of the semifinal round, but will have not reached age 23 on the final competition date.

Applicants may be of any nationality, must live or attend school full time in North America, and must be able to communicate in English.

Pianists are not permitted to apply if the pianist:
• studied with a juror two years leading up to the semifinals
• has family connections with the juror
• will study with a juror during the next academic year
• has received competition preparation from the juror

Pianists are permitted to apply if acquainted with a juror through past competitions, festivals, master classes, or enrollment in the same school.

First place prize winners in the North American Competitions and PianoArts fellows may not apply.

CONTESTANT RULES AND PROCEDURES
Application for Video Preliminary Round

•   Applications and video recordings must be submitted through the online application by January 26, 2026, 11:59 pm, Central Time.

•  Applicants are required to submit a video recording of a complete concerto from the competition list and two solo works from different periods. The duration of the two solos may not exceed 30 minutes.

•  Preliminary round recordings will be evaluated primarily on the concerto’s readiness for a complete performance in the final round with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

•  Videos must be filmed within 12 months prior to submission.

•  Concertos may be performed with a second pianist performing an orchestral reduction or with an orchestra. The soloist must be clearly heard. If performing with a second pianist, we reccommend that the solo piano is opened with the lid propped with a full stick, and the second piano with a half stick.

•  Recordings must be filmed with one continuous view of the applicant’s hands and feet and may not be edited within movements.

•  Applicants may submit either one video contaiing all works, or separate videos of each work or movement of a work. 

•  Other required materials include a recommendation by the teacher, proof of age, and two high resolution color photographs.

•  Applicants must sign an agreement (connected with the application) and submit a non-refundable application fee of $150.
Example of the agreement

CONTESTANT RULES AND PROCEDURES
For Competitors Advanced to the Semifinal and Final Rounds

•  Competitors must submit their two semifinal recital programs and biographies by April 1, 2026.

•  Semifinalists may not make any changes to their programs after Apri 1.

•  Semifinalists must sign another agreement and submit a
non-refundable fee of $250 by April 1, 2026.

•  Pianists must arrive in Milwaukee by May 25 to ensure participation in all scheduled events. Semifinalists are responsible for their own travel arrangements and expenses to and from Milwaukee. 

•  Semifinalists and finalists must not have any professional or other commitments during the time of the competition and must attend all competition events.

•  Semifinalists will be offered individual accommodations in private homes with a piano.

•  Practice rooms will be available at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.

•  Competition performance order will be determined by a
random drawing.

•  Prior to the final round, semifinalists who do not advance to the finals
will have one on one conferences with the jury. Finalists will have their conferences with the jury the day following the finals.

•  All contestants must remain in Milwaukee until 5:00 pm on
June 3, 2026. 

POST COMPETITION RULES AND PROCEDURES
Pianists receiving prizes will be responsible for paying the taxes on the awarded amounts.

Pianists invited to return to Milwaukee as fellows will be scheduled with on-site performing and teaching engagements in southeastern Wisconsin. Expenses will be paid, and each fellow will receive a stipend.