1. First Prize
Amount: $7,000
Performance Opportunities:

• Concerto performance with the Orchestra Nova Northwest, 2027/2028 season

• Concerto performance with the Central Oregon Symphony, 2027/2028 season

• Solo recital performance in the 2027/2028 Murdock International Piano Series

• Solo recital performance with Portland Piano International as part of the Rising Stars series

• Solo recital engagement in the Concerts at First series in Eugene, Oregon

• Additional performance opportunities will be available soon

2. Second Prize
Amount: $4,000

3. Third Prize
Amount: $2,000

4. Solo Piano Composition Award
Amount: $1,500

5. Special Prize: Audience Award
Amount: $500
Performance Opportunity: Concerto performance with the Oregon Mozart Players, 2027–2028 season (voted by audience members at the Final Round)

6. Special Prize: Best Performance of Award Composition Work
Amount: $500
(Awarded to the finalist with the best performance of the new commissioned work)

7. Advancement Award
Amount: $500
(Awarded to all semifinalist traveling to the competition)

The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, born between October 8, 1993 - October 8, 2008 (18-32 years old).

Applicants must submit the following materials through the online application portal: 

1. Completed application form and fee ($150)

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume 

3. Single video submission for the Selection Round

4. A vertical headshot in JPEG, JPG, or PDF format

The competition will consist of three rounds:

• Selection Round (online)

• Semifinal Round – 8 pianists

• Final Round – 3 pianists

Applicants will submit a solo piano program between 65-70 minutes for the semifinal and final rounds combined. The repertoire is entirely up to the candidate, with the exception of works for prepared piano; repertoire from the selection round may be repeated. Please include titles, composer names, and precise timings in your program submission.

ROUND 1: SELECTION ROUND
Submit at least two works from different periods, presented in a single video. The final video should be 20–25 minutes in length and may be assembled from different performances. Please provide the video as one YouTube link.

• Single movements of sonatas allowed

• Repertoire may be performed in later rounds

• Video should be submitted as a YouTube link. Please title the video as follows:

  • [First and Last Name] | 2026 Murdock International Piano Competition

  • In the video description, include the title of the pieces and the composers

  • Personal information will not be available to the preliminary jury members

ROUND 2: SEMIFINAL ROUND

Semifinalists will perform a solo program no longer than 30 minutes.

Location: Beall Concert Hall | University of Oregon

The eight pianists invited to the Semifinal Round in October 2026 will receive a $500 Advancement Award to support their travel expenses to Eugene, Oregon, and complimentary room and board with host families throughout the competition.

ROUND 3: FINAL ROUND

Finalists will perform a solo program no longer than 40 minutes. In addition to the 40-minute program, finalists will also perform the required work, winner of the Composition Award. The score will be provided to semifinalists by September 8, 2026.

Location: Beall Concert Hall | University of Oregon

*Adjudicator Conflict of Interest Policy
Students of the adjudicators are eligible to participate in the competition. Adjudicators will recuse themselves from voting in all rounds in which their student is being evaluated.

• June 1, 2026 – Deadline to submit applications (11:59 p.m. Pacific Time)

• July 1, 2026 – Announcement of semifinalists

• September 8, 2026 – Distribution of the required piece to semifinalists via email

• October 8-10, 2026 – Competition Dates

  • October 8, 2026 – Special Murdock International Piano Series performance, featuring Alvin Chow, Angela Cheng, Bernadene Blaha, and Steven Spooner, followed by the opening ceremony

  • October 9, 2026 – Semifinal Round

  • October 10, 2026 – Final Round

The Oregon Piano Institute is honored to present this year’s jury panel, featuring internationally acclaimed artists and pedagogues. These distinguished judges—renowned for their exceptional performances, recordings, and teaching—bring a global perspective to our competition. Their expertise and artistry continue to shape the future of classical music, inspiring the next generation of pianists.

For more information on the jury, click on their names to access their biographies.

SEMINIFINAL AND FINAL ROUNDS
Bernadene Blaha
Angela Cheng
Steven Spooner
Alvin Chow

PRELIMINARY ROUND
Lisa Nakamichi
Enrico Elisi
Eleonora Karpukhova