The competition is open to students of grades 7 through 12 living in the state of Texas whose primary teacher also resides in Texas. The competition has two divisions:

Division 1: Grades 7, 8, and 9
Division 2: Grades 10, 11, and 12

The first round of the competition is held via recorded audition. A high quality CD recording of the contestant's repertoire should be submitted along with required audition materials. Please refer to the application form for details on required materials.

Round 2 of the competition will be held in Austin, TX on May 7, 2016 at The Armstrong Community Music School. Competition specifics and audition times will be announced to those contestants who successfully pass the round 1 CD auditions.

Repertoire requirements: All contestants must play 2 contrasting pieces of their choice from memory. There is a 15 minute time limit for all auditions. Contestants will be stopped if they exceed the time limit but will not be penalized. One movement is considered a piece. No more than 2 contrasting pieces are permitted.

Audition CDs must include full recordings of a contestant's audition repertoire, even if it exceeds the 15 minute time limit.

No changes may be made to repertoire between the two rounds of the competition.

The following materials must be postmarked by the deadline of April 11, 2016.

1) A completed application form.
2) A high quality CD recording of the contestant's audition repertoire.
3) The $25 application fee, made out to "Austin Piano Festival"

Anything other than a CD recording will not be accepted. No videos of any kind or audio cassettes.

No indication of contestant's or teacher's identity is allowed on the CD or CD Case.

Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted. Application materials and CD will not be returned.

April 11, 2016 - Postmark deadline for all applications and CD recordings

April 25, 2016 - All Round 1 winners will be notified of their advancement to round 2 by this date

May 7, 2016 - Round 2 live auditions in Austin, TX at Armstrong Community Music School

May 27 through June 5 - Austin Piano Festival Concerts and Masterclasses