1. Competition at a Glance

The Acumo International Piano Competition 2027 offers pianists an accessible pathway from video participation to live performance in London. It combines developmental opportunities for young and amateur musicians with a more demanding Professional pathway.

Discipline: Piano
Application deadline: Sunday 28 February 2027, 23:59 UK time
Application fee: GBP 50 per application
Video Preliminary: Compulsory for every applicant
Video results: By Sunday 14 March 2027
London competition day: Saturday 24 April 2027
Festival opening and Professional Grand Final: Tuesday 27 July 2027

Junior A, Junior B, Youth and Adult Amateur applicants progress from the compulsory Video Preliminary to one Live Final. Professional applicants progress from the Video Preliminary to a Live Semifinal and Grand Final.

2. Categories and Eligibility

Applicants of all nationalities may apply. Age is calculated on the application deadline, 28 February 2027. Proof of age or identity may be requested.

Junior A - Age 8 and under. Video Preliminary to Live Final.
Junior B - Ages 9-12 inclusive. Video Preliminary to Live Final.
Youth - Ages 13-17 inclusive. Video Preliminary to Live Final.
Adult Amateur - Age 18+. Music is pursued primarily for personal enrichment; the applicant is not in full-time conservatoire-level performance study and does not earn most income as a professional performer. Video Preliminary to Live Final.
Professional - Advanced pre-professional or professional performers; open age. Exceptionally advanced applicants under 18 may select this category. Video Preliminary to Live Semifinal to Grand Final.

An applicant may enter only one category. Applicants under 18 require a parent or legal guardian's authorisation and must be accompanied at live events by a responsible adult.

3. Application and Video Preliminary

The Video Preliminary is compulsory for every applicant. Applications must be completed by 23:59 UK time on 28 February 2027 and the GBP 50 fee paid at submission. Applications are complete only when the form, fee and playable video have all been received.

The recording must have been made within the preceding 12 months. The camera must remain fixed and show the applicant, face, hands and complete instrument as appropriate. Each work or movement must be recorded in one continuous take. Editing within a performance, audio replacement, artificial enhancement or alteration is prohibited. Trimming before the first note and after the last note is permitted.

4. Repertoire Requirements

Junior A: Video maximum 3 minutes; Live Final maximum 3 minutes.
Junior B: Video 3-5 minutes; Live Final 3-5 minutes.
Youth: Video 5-8 minutes; Live Final 5-8 minutes.
Adult Amateur: Video 7-10 minutes; Live Final 10-15 minutes.
Professional Video Preliminary: maximum 25 minutes, including one etude, one movement of a Classical-period sonata and one Romantic work.
Professional Live Semifinal: maximum 25 minutes, including one etude plus free-choice works from at least two different periods.
Professional Grand Final: maximum 25 minutes, with a free-choice concert programme from at least two different periods.

Repertoire may be by any composer, subject to the periods and compulsory works specified for the Professional category. Memory is not required. No complete work or individual movement may be repeated in a later round. This includes the etude: a different etude must be performed whenever an etude is required again. Timing includes pauses and repeats. Except for Junior A, programmes must fall within the stated range; a programme more than 30 seconds below the minimum may be rejected or receive a reduced programme-suitability assessment. The jury may stop a performance at the maximum duration.

5. Live Rounds

Saturday 24 April 2027: Junior A, Junior B, Youth and Adult Amateur Live Finals, plus the Professional Semifinal. The organiser may select up to six live competitors in each category.

Tuesday 27 July 2027: The Professional Grand Final will form the centrepiece of the Acumo Piano Festival & Academy Opening Concert. Up to three or four Professional finalists may be selected. Invited professors and selected academy students may perform during jury deliberation. Results and principal awards will be announced at the conclusion.



6. Adjudication, Jury and Results

Panels of at least three qualified musicians will assess performances. Assessment: Musical communication 30%; Technical command 25%; Interpretation and style 20%; Tone and sound control 15%; Programme and presentation 10%.

Each round is assessed independently. Jurors must declare teaching relationships and may not score a current student or a regular student taught within the preceding three years. Jury deliberations are confidential and the jury's artistic decision is final.

Every applicant will receive a digital participation certificate and concise adjudication summary. Live finalists will receive a finalist certificate and fuller feedback.

7. Awards, Fees and General Conditions

Prize details will be published before applications open. The Professional Grand Prize may include a future Acumo performance opportunity confirmed separately in writing.

Application fees are non-refundable once submitted, including withdrawal, non-selection, non-attendance or disqualification. If Acumo cancels the competition or an applicant's category, the applicable fee will be refunded.

Applicants are responsible for travel, accommodation, visas, insurance, meals, instruments and personal expenses unless expressly stated otherwise. Live performances may be photographed, recorded or streamed subject to permissions collected during application. A parent or legal guardian must provide consent for an applicant under 18. A separate consent choice will cover identifiable promotional use.

Acumo may make reasonable operational changes to schedules, performance order, jury membership or venue. Material changes will be communicated promptly.

8. Acceptance, Updates and Contact

Submitting an application confirms acceptance of these regulations, the privacy notice and relevant application terms. Official correspondence will be sent to the supplied email address. Applicants must monitor the inbox, including spam, and respond by stated deadlines. The latest dated version published by Acumo will apply, subject to applicable law.

Questions about eligibility, category selection, repertoire or accessibility should be submitted before applying.

Acumo Music Academy
contact@acumomusic.com
London, United Kingdom