Rules

General Rules

1.OCAF International Piano Competition is open to every musician from all over the world. Registration is online through https://www.outreachclassicalarts.org/piano-competition.

2.Each participant could freely choose one piece from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary periods. The performance should be solo. Each participant could send one piece per category, in separate video. The duration of each video recording is limited. The video link could be from Youtube, BiliBili or Youku. Video should be available for watching online – download links won’t be accepted.

3. The video must have been recorded not earlier than 6 months before the deadline date. Each piece must be performed in one take with no edits. OCAF reserves the right to immediately disqualify any applicant whose video was edit If the duration of the submitted video exceeds the time limits, as specified in the rules, the jury will only evaluate up to the time limit specified for each category.

4.The OCAF judges will provide each competition entry with a feedback score sheet, which includes comments and scores. The comments will address each participant's performance, and the score will be the average of the five judges' ratings for the entire piece. The prizes will be awarded based solely on the submitted recordings. The competitors have no right to present any objections against the composition of the Jury.

5.By making your application, you assign all rights in any submitted video to OCAF, including the permission to publicly display the video on its website, YouTube channel or Social Media. By applying to the competition, participants automatically accept conditions from previous provisions of the online music competition rules, the terms and conditions and the privacy policy.

6.Sunshine Group for special needs: All rules for Sunshine Group are the same, while participants in Sunshine Group will be rated and awarded separately, and the application fee is waived.

Age group/Music Length Limit

1.Little Star 5 and under (Born in 2019 and after) / Up to 3 min

2.Prodigy 6-7 year (Born in 2017 and 2018) / Up to 4 min

3.Junior 8-9 year (Born in 2015 and 2016)/ Up to 5 min

4.Junior pro 10-11 year (Born in 2013 and 2014)/ Up to 6 min

5.Youth12-14year (Born in 2010-2012) / Up to 7 min

6.Youth Artist15-18 (Born in 2006-2009) / Up to 10 min

7. Advanced19+ (Born in 2005 and before) / Up to 10 min

Process

Application: Now- November 1, 2024

Application fee*: $160 for the first song, $80 for each extra

Feedback, score and prize announced: November 25, 2024

*The application fee for Sunshine Group are waived.

Awards

Students’ Award*

First Place Honor (score 95 and above)

Second Place Honor (85<=score<95)

Third Place Honor (75<=score<85 )

Honorable mention (60<=score<75)

All winners will get certificates.

The winners of first, second and third places may apply for the on site recital in July 2025 in Florida, US.

The winners of first, second and third places winners may apply for the master class in July 2025.

The first place winners with scores 97 and higher would get the scholarship for master class.

*For Sunshine Group,

First Place Honor (score 80 and above)

Second Place Honor (70<=score<80)

Third Place Honor (60<=score<70 )

Honorable mention (30<=score<60)

Teachers’ Award

Teachers and accompanists on request receive a certificate for a portfolio.

“OCAF Educator” Award: Nominees will be selected based on the quality of students’ performance in OCAF competitions including jury’s review, accumulated score and performance on the winners’ recital.

“OCAF Sunshine Educator” Award: This award is for for those whose special needs students participate in the competition.