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Rules and Regulations

Latest Amendment date: 9 January 2026

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Article 1 -  Eligibility and Entry Requirements

  1. Nationality: AIYPC International Youth Piano Competition is open to contestants of all nationalities.

  2. Identification: A clear photocopy of the contestant’s official identity document (ID card or travel document/passport) must be submitted with the application for age verification.

  3. Multiple Entries: Contestants are permitted to enter more than one category across Age, Graded and Professional Categories within AIYPC, as long as the age and repertoire regulations are adhered to. A separate application form and the associated application fees must be submitted for each individual entry. For example, a 13 year-old contestant can apply to Age Category Junior C, Graded Category Gr8 , as well as Professional Category B for ages 13-16

  4. Format: The Competition is an ONLINE Competition through Video Submission.

  5. Application & Video Submission Deadline:  30 APRIL 2026

  6. Announcement of Results: Official announcement on 8 MAY 2026

  7. Competition Category : There are 3 categories of entry: Graded Category (Examination Repertoire), Age Category (by Date of birth) and Professional Category (Repertoire from different periods)

  8. Prizewinner Gala Concert: The highest-scoring Gold Prize contestants from Graded Category and the Top 3 highest-scoring contestants from Age and Professional Categories will be invited to perform at the Prizewinners Grand Gala Award & Recital on 30 MAY 2026 in PENANG MALAYSIA. The RM 10,000 Scholarship for the Rising Star Award will be announced at the Grand Gala Awards and Recital on 30 May, 2026 in Penang.

  9. Submission of Application: All required documents, contestant’s personal details, contact information, performance video must be uploaded and successfully processed by AIYPC. 

  10. Payment of Application Fees: AIYPC accepts Bank Transfer, details of contestant’s full name and category of entry should be included. Bank Details as follows:

  • Bank Account Name: EUROPAC INTL YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL SDN BHD

  • Bank Account No: 8011543891

  • SWIFT/BIC Code: CIBBMYKLXXX (CIMB Bank Berhad in Malaysia)

  • Bank Address: CIMB Bank Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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11. Registration fees must be paid in full before deadline of 30 Apr 2026. Proof of payment via bank transfer payslip or screenshot must be uploaded with your application 12. Execution of Repeats:  At the discretion of the contestant; however, all da capo and dal segno instructions within the score must be observed.

13. Memorisation: All pieces must be played from memory.

14. Disqualification: The selected piece must be performed in its entirety, with no omissions of any parts. Any performance that is not presented in its complete form shall result in disqualification, notwithstanding the quality of the performance.

 

 

Article 2 -  Evaluation Criteria and Awards

1. Scoring Process and Criteria

(a) Jury council members will rate performances on a 100-point scale, a composite score considering overall performance quality, musicianship and technicality within each category.

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(b) AIYPC does not exclude scenario whereby multiple winners are selected within the same tier of the same category, as well as the possibility of a specific category goes unawarded if no contestants meet the scoring criteria.

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(c) Award Scoring Criteria follows the below standard:

  • GOLD PRIZE (trophy): 90 marks or above

  • SILVER PRIZE (medal): 85-90 marks

  • BRONZE PRIZE (medal): 80-84 marks

  • Merit Award Certificate: 75-79 marks

  • Performance Certificate: Below 75 marks

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*Certificates will be awarded to all contestants*

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(d) For Graded Category - the highest-scoring Gold Prize contestant will be invited to perform at AIYPC’s Grand Gala Awards and Recital on 30 May 2026, to be held at Wawasan Open University auditorium in Penang.

 

(e) For Age and Professional Categories – the Top 3 highest-scoring contestants will be invited to perform at AIYPC’s Grand Gala Awards and Recital on 30 May 2026, to be held at Wawasan Open University auditorium in Penang.

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 2. Key Evaluation Criteria for Scoring

(a) Musical Awareness and Musicianship: understanding of the musical style of the performing piece demonstrating the characteristics of the specific genre and period

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(b) Performance Delivery and Focus: personal interpretation, expressiveness in the performance and individual creativity to bring out the nuances of the repertoire; confidence in mastering the delivery and ability to engage the audience.

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(c) Technicality Sustenance: clear and clean definition of articulation of the repertoire in rhythm flow, dynamic changes of tone, consistency of tempo.

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(d) Jury Council Decisions: Decisions of the Jury Council are final and shall not be disputed. The Jury reserves the right to exercise the following authorities:

  1. To hear only a portion of the presented program if they determine sufficient evidence has been heard to render a judgment.

  2. To withhold awards, consistent with the standards of international competitions, should the minimum required scoring thresholds not be attained.

  3. To award joint prizes within same category of equal scores

  4. To refrain from providing a written commentary or critique.

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(e) Awards and Rising Star Award Scholarship: 

1. Gold, Silver and Bronze prize winners for all categories will receive a trophy/medal and certificate. 

2. The scholarship of RM 10,000 for Rising Star Award is only eligible to Professional Category contestants. The RM 10,000 scholarship will be awarded based on the following:

  • The highest scoring contestant in the Professional Category across the 3 age groups

  • Should there be a tie in the scoring, the jury council will vote and deliberate on the winning contestant for the scholarship

  • Decision from the jury council is final and will not be open for appeal

  • The recipient of the Rising Star Scholarship must agree to represent AIYPC to perform a solo piece and an ensemble work with our AIYPC string artists in the “20th Anniversary of The Sendai Classical Music Festival” in Sendai, Japan on 3rd October 2026. The Programme that the Grand Prize winner will need to prepare for this performance together with the AIYPC ensemble will be announced on the Grand Gala Awards Day in Penang.

  • If the recipient of the Scholarship is unable to, or decline to, attend the “20th Anniversary of The Sendai Classical Music Festival” in Sendai, Japan, the Scholarship will be given to the runner-up, as deliberated by the jury council.

 

(f) Prize Awarding and Withholding: The Jury Council reserves the unequivocal right to withhold any prizes if, in their professional opinion, the contestant's performance for the specific category does not attain the competition's required standards

  1. Conflict of Interest: Jurors are strictly not allowed to adjudicate contestants who are their students. In the event that specific contestants of the AIYPC are students of any Jury Council memebr, the said Jury Council member must be recused from the deliberation on evaluation of the specific contestant. The score will be determined solely by the remaining Jury Council members, and the resulting marks will be averaged accordingly to obtain the final mark. 

  2. Mark Sheets: Jurors’ mark sheets will not be provided to the contestants under any circumstances. Professional Category contestants will receive a consolidated comment summary on contestant’s performance.

 

Article 3 -  Certificates and Trophies

  1. Included in the Application Fee: Application Fee covers the provision of Digital and Printed Certificates, participation trophy, or medal for prize winners. Application Fee is INCLUSIVE of 8% GST

  2. Accuracy of Information: Contestants are solely responsible for ensuring that the name and delivery address provided in their application are correct and accurate. The Certificate and Trophy will be printed and delivered exactly according to the information provided; the Organiser is not responsible for errors resulting from incorrect submission data.

  3. Delivery Timeline: Printed Certificates are scheduled to be delivered by the end of May 2026. Trophies will be awarded at the Prizewinner Grand Gala Awards and Recital on 30 May 2026 in Penang, Malaysia.

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Article 4 -  Payment and Administrative Policies

  1. Application Fee: Payment of Application Fees: AIYPC accepts Bank Transfer, details of contestant’s full name and category of entry should be included. Bank Details:

  • Bank Account Name: EUROPAC INTL YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL SDN BHD

  • Bank Account No: 8011543891

  • Bank Name: CIMB Damansara Utama Branch

  • SWIFT/BIC Code: CIBBMYKLXXX (CIMB Bank Berhad in Malaysia)

  • Bank Address: CIMB Bank Berhad, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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2. Registration fees must be paid in full before deadline of 30 Apr 2026. Proof of payment via bank transfer payslip or screenshot must be uploaded with your application submission.

3. Application Confirmation  -  A confirmation letter email will be sent when your entry is successfully completed. All fields including contestant photo, contestant passport/ identify card (for age validation) and video of performance are fully uploaded.

4. Payment Amount and Method - Registration fees is based on competition category. All fees are INCLUSIVE of 8% GST. Please include the contestant’s full name and category entry in the payment details.

5. Payment Confirmation -  contestants must email a copy of payment bank slip to enquiries@aiypc.com upon registration fee payment.  

6. Refund - The registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the outcome or the contestant's withdrawal.

7. Application Amendments: Once the application has been successfully processed, no changes to the submitted repertoire is permitted. Any subsequent amendments to the submitted application details (e.g., correction of name or repertoire spelling errors) shall incur a prescribed Administrative fee of RM100 per change request. Amendment request will not be accepted 5 days prior to submission deadline of 30 April 2026

 

Article 5 - Video Submission Requirements

The integrity of the performance video is crucial for fair adjudication. Failure to adhere to these rules may lead to disqualification.

  1. Performance Piece: Title of the selected repertoire across all categories (Age/ Graded/ Professional) must be clearly indicated in the video submitted along with the application form.

  2. Video Authenticity: The video must be unedited from start to finish. Post-production effects, cuts, or splicing are strictly prohibited.

  3. Clarity of View: The video must clearly show the contestantʼs face and most importantly, their hand movements throughout the entire performance to ensure the judging panel can accurately assess technique and execution.

  4. Uploading Platform & Access: The video must be uploaded to one of the following platforms and set with the specified privacy settings:

  • YouTube (set as “Unlisted” or “Public”)

  • Youku (set as “Unlisted” or “Public”)

  • Google Drive (Access must be set to "Anyone with the link - View") 

5. Video Title/Description: The title or description of the uploaded video must follow this mandatory format to ensure accurate processing:

6. For Direct Video Upload, maximum file size up to 4 gb. Video description in following sequence: Name of Competition_Contestant’s Name & Surname _ Competition Category_Repertoire  (e.g, AIYPC Mary Chan, Gr 8 Category, Chopin Etude Op 10 No 5 in G-flat major)

7. For Youtube URL link:

  • Video title follows: Name of Competition_Contestant’s Name & Surname _ Competition Category (eg. AIYPC Mary Chan, Gr 8 Category). 

  • Under the Description box, enter the composer and repertoire. (Eg. Chopin Etude Op 10 No 5 in G-flat major)

 

8. Verbal Introduction: Contestants should not verbally introduce their name or the title of the performance piece in the uploaded video.

​9. Relevance: Video recordings must be no older than 12 months.

10. Professional Category: All selected pieces must be recorded in one continuous, unedited take.

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Article 6 -  General Terms and Conditions

  1. Organiser’s Rights: AIYPC Organising committee reserves the right to revise the competition schedule, jury council, criteria of awards, regulations, and all other arrangements without providing prior notice to contestants.

  2. Final Decision: AIYPC reserves the exclusive right of final decision on the interpretation of all regulations and conditions set forth herein.

  3. Publicity Consent: By submitting to the competition, contestants automatically authorise and grant consent to AIYPC to use their submitted photos, video recordings (in full or in excerpts), and information (specifically name, age, and nationality) for the publicity and promotional activities of AIYPC across online and offline medium. No financial remuneration will be provided to the contestants for the use of this material.

  4. Governing Text: In the event that there is any discrepancy or conflict between the English and Chinese versions of these rules, the English version shall prevail and be deemed the authoritative text

  5. Competition Availability: Participants bear the sole responsibility for ensuring their availability on the published Awards and Recital date(s). Requests for specific performance dates and/or times shall not be entertained.

  6. Category Adjustment: AIYPC reserves the right to combine or divide any age group category based on the number of Participants registered in each category.

  7. Participant Capping: AIYPC reserves the right to limit the total number of finalists selected for each Category and to combine or divide any age group category based on the number of contestants in each category.

  8. AIYPC reserves the right to adjust the number of prizes awarded for each of the categories and/or to alter the value and nature of the awards conferred at any time without prior notification.

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Article 7 -  Compliance and Liability

  1. The rules governing the application to AIYPC must be strictly adhered to, and every requested supplementary document must be duly provided.

  2. By submitting the Application Form, which constitutes an integral part of the Rules & Regulations and Terms & Conditions of the AIYPC, the participant shall be deemed to agree and fully comply with all provisions, terms and conditions contained.

  3. All contestants and their accompanying members are responsible for covering their own expenses; no reimbursements of any kind shall be provided.

  4. All individuals wishing to attend the Prizewinner Grand Gala Awards and Recital in Penang, Malaysia on 30 May 2026  (including but not limited to, parents, teachers, and friends) are welcome. Further details of venue, hotel accomodation, ticketing, masterclass and exam technique workshops will be separately announced. 

  5. AIYPC shall bear no liability for any loss, damage, or theft of personal property, nor for any illness or injury sustained by persons, which may occur during travel to or from the Gala Awards and Recital.

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Article 8 - Media and Intellectual Property

  1. AIYPC has unrestricted rights to film, broadcast, photograph, and record any aspect of the competitor’s participation, including, but not limited to, rehearsals, recitals and masterclasses. AIYPC retains all rights thereto and contestants hereby waiver any and all claims to financial reward arising from the distribution or utilization of any such recordings.

  2. For the purpose of protecting the privacy and rights of all contestants, any form of unauthorized videography or recording of other performers is strictly prohibited unless explicit authorization has been granted by AIYPC.

 

Disclaimer

All information contained within this document was accurate at the time of posting. AIYPC reserves the right to make changes deemed necessary without prior notice.

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