Applicants must have studied with their current teacher since September, 2026. The teacher must be an active member of the Redlands, the Riverside, or the Temecula Valley Branches of the MTAC.
Please enter student in proper Division according to age as of February 7th, 2027. Proof of age, if required, must accompany the completed application form (birth certificate, etc.).
Click here to view list of approved composers.
Choose one work by a composer of the Classical Period. It does not have to be a complete work for solo or duet divisions (for example: theme and selected variations). If multiple pieces are performed, they must be from one sonata, sonatina, suite or collection. A collection is a work that the composer intended as one set, not necessarily pieces published in the same book. Repeats should be omitted. The concerto division requires one complete movement and cadenza where applicable. Only original compositions from the list of composers on this website will be accepted. No transcriptions or arrangements will be allowed in any division, except where transcribed or arranged by the composer. Teachers, please fill out the application form completely, including title, key, movement and catalog number. No prepared piano pieces or those requiring any playing in the interior of the instrument will be allowed.
Students must provide one copy of their music for the judges. Failure to do so may adversely affect the decision of the judges. Photocopies will not be allowed. Music purchased and printed from an online source must include the URL information or authorization code.
Contestants will be judged on their technical and interpretive ability, as well as artistic presentation. If a high standard of performance is not reached, prizes may not be awarded.
The judges’ decisions will be final.
Applicants will be notified of their performance time by their teachers.
Evaluation sheets will be mailed to each teacher after the Festival.
Entry fees are not refundable.
All entries must be postmarked by December 11, 2026. Entries postmarked after this date will not be accepted.
Trophies will be presented for first, second and third place winners in the divisions as follows:
DIVISION I AGES 7-8
DIVISION II AGES 9-10
DIVISION III AGES 11-12
DIVISION IV AGES 13-14
DIVISION V AGES 15-16
DIVISION VI AGES 17-18
DIVISION I AGES 7-10
DIVISION II AGES 11-14
DIVISION III AGES 15-18
DIVISION I AGES 7-18
All entrants will receive a certificate of participation. Honorable mention pins may be awarded at the discretion of the judges. The judges reserve the right to not award prizes if they feel a high enough performance standard has not been achieved.
All music must be performed from memory.
The time limit for Divisions I and II is up to 4 minutes, for Divisions III and IV it is up to 6 minutes, and for Divisions V and VI it is up to 8 minutes. The performance will be stopped if the time limit is exceeded. Please be aware that the adjudicators’ decisions will be based upon the technical and artistic qualities of the students’ performances rather than on the length of the pieces.
Solo performers may also enter the duet and concerto divisions.
The non-refundable entry fee is $35 per student for Divisions I and II. For Divisions III, IV, V and VI, the non-refundable entry fee is $45. A teacher’s fee is also required: $20 for 1-5 entries, $30 for 6-10 entries, $40 for 11-15 entries and $50 for more than 15 entries.
Music does not have to be performed from memory.
Music must be limited to one piano, four hands. A teacher may not perform with his/her student.
The time limit for Division I is up to 4 minutes. The time limit for Division II is up to 6 minutes, and for Division III it is up to 8 minutes. The performance will be stopped if the time limit is exceeded.
Duet performers should be registered in the division of the oldest participant (if partners are of different ages). Duet participants may perform in more than one division provided the age requirement and fees are met. Duet participants may only enter once in the same division. If performing in a second division, a different selection is required.
Duet performers may also enter the solo and concerto divisions if desired.
The non-refundable entry fee is $50 per pair for Division I and $60 per pair for Divisions II and III. A teacher’s fee is also required: $20 for 1-5 entries, $30 for 6-10 entries, $40 for 11-15 entries and $50 for more than 15 entries.
Concerto Division
All soloist music must be performed from memory.
One movement may be performed with cadenza, where applicable. In concertos where the movements are short, two movements may be combined if the total time does not exceed 15 minutes.
There is no time limit for this division, but the judges may stop the performance at their discretion.
Teachers or students may accompany the soloist. Appropriate cuts in the orchestral introduction and tuttis are encouraged.
Concerto performers may also participate in the solo and duet divisions if desired.
The non-refundable entry fee for the concerto division is $70. A teacher’s fee is also required: $20 for 1-5 entries, $30 for 6-10 entries, $40 for 11-15 entries and $50 for more than 15 entries.
Teachers may pay for the fees through Zelle at our Wells Fargo account, using our email address: iepianofestival@gmail.com or by check.
Checks should be made out to:
INLAND EMPIRE PIANO FESTIVAL
Please mail to:
Linette Rodriguez
11879 Dellvale Place
Riverside CA 92505