Junior Competition
Categories: YOUNG ARTIST, JUNIOR, YOUNG TALENT, CHILDREN, YOUNG CHILDREN, and VERY YOUNG
Information for the 2026 Junior Competition
The Competition is open to pianists of all nationalities, in the following age categories:
- YOUNG ARTIST category (20 years old or younger - born after July 1, 2005)
- JUNIOR category (15 years old or younger - born after June 30, 2010)
- YOUNG TALENT category (12 years old or younger - born after June 28, 2013)
- CHILDREN category (10 years old or younger - born after June 26, 2015)
- YOUNG CHILDREN category (8 years old or younger – born after June 26, 2017)
- VERY YOUNG category (6 years old or younger – born after June 26, 2019)
It is recommended to register in the category corresponding to your age. Candidates may enter one or more categories.
For the YOUNG ARTIST category:
- Registration deadline: Friday, May 1, 2026, at midnight GMT +1
- Video screening - Submission of video recordings: by midnight GMT+1 on Friday, May 1, 2026
- Announcement of successful candidates: Monday, May 18, 2026
- Live event: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Cagnes-sur-Mer (France)
For more details, we recommend that you read the rules.
For the JUNIOR category :
- Pre-selection: The first 32 applicants will be selected
- Registration deadline: Monday , June 1, 2026, at midnight GMT +1
- Competition: Monday, June 29, 2026, live in Cagnes-sur-Mer (France)
For more details, we recommend that you read the rules.
For the YOUNG TALENT category:
- Pre-selection: The first 40 applicants will be selected.
- Registration deadline: Monday , June 1, 2026, at midnight GMT +1
- Competition: Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2026 (a detailed schedule will be released in June 2026) live in Cagnes-sur-Mer (France)
For more details, we recommend that you read the rules.
For the CHILDREN category:
- Pre-selection: The first 40 applicants will be selected.
- Registration deadline: Monday , June 1, 2026, at midnight GMT +1
- Competition: Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2026 (a detailed schedule will be released in June 2026) live in Cagnes-sur-Mer (France)
For more details, we recommend that you read the rules.
For the YOUNG CHILDREN category:
- Pre-selection: The first 40 applicants will be selected.
- Registration deadline: Monday , June 1, 2026, at midnight GMT +1
- Competition: Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2026 (a detailed schedule will be released in June 2026) live in Cagnes-sur-Mer (France)
For more details, we recommend that you read the rules.
For the VERY YOUNG category:
- Pre-selection: The first 40 applicants will be selected.
- Registration deadline: Monday , June 1, 2026, at midnight GMT +1
- Competition: Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2026 (a detailed schedule will be released in June 2026) live in Cagnes-sur-Mer (France)
For more details, we recommend that you read the rules.
The registration fee depends on the category and must be paid via the procedure described on the Junior - Registration page.
- YOUNG ARTIST category: €90
- JUNIOR category: €80
- YOUNG TALENT category: €70
- CHILDREN category: €60
- YOUNG CHILDREN category:€50
- VERY YOUNG category:€40
It is recommended to register in the category corresponding to your age (see paragraph: "2.1 Entry requirements" of the rules). Candidates may enter one or more categories.
Applications will only be accepted once the full registration fee has been received. Any bank charges or transfer fees are the responsibility of the applicant.
Regulations in French
Rules and regulations
Total cash prizes: €4,950
A special Chopin Prize will be awarded in one of the categories: €300.
The list of prizes awarded to the winners depends on the category:
YOUNG ARTIST category : 2.500€
- 1st Prize: €1,500
- 2nd Prize: €700
- 3rd Prize: €300
Category JUNIOR : 1.500€
- 1st Prize: €800
- 2nd Prize: €500
- 3rd Prize: €200
YOUNG TALENT category : €400
- 1st Prize 1st named: €400 (offered by the Lions Club - Cagnes Les Vallées)
- Diplomas 1st Prize
- Diplomas 2nd Prize
All participants in the CHILDREN, YOUNG CHILDREN, and VERY YOUNG categories will receive a prize, certificate, or surprise gift.
Category CHILDREN : €150
- 1st Prize 1st named: €150 (offered by the Lions Club - Cagnes Les Vallées)
- Diplomas 1st Prize
- Diplomas 2nd Prize
YOUNG CHILDREN category: €100
- 1st Prize 1st Nominee: €100 (offered by the Lions Club - Cagnes Les Vallées)
- Diplomas 1st Prize
- Diplomas 2nd Prize
VERY YOUNG category:
- 1st Prizes and Diplomas
Please note:
-For more details, please refer to the contest rules.
- Video preselection ONLY for the YOUNG ARTIST category.
Program conditions depend on the category chosen by the applicant.
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For the YOUNG ARTIST category (maximum age 20)
a - Video preselection :
Free program: minimum 10 minutes - maximum 12 minutes, including two (2) works from different periods and contrasting styles, to be sent before Friday, May 1, 2026 , at midnight GMT +1.
Video recording conditions
- It's important to pay particular attention to the quality of the video recording. The video must be produced without cuts, in a fixed shot, with the candidate's face and hands clearly visible at all times, and without special effects such as zooms and the like. Preference should be given to sound quality.
- Any type of editing or manipulation of audio and video is prohibited and may result in disqualification.
- The two (2) works may be recorded at different times and then assembled into a single video, or they may be recorded in one take. It is possible to submit part of a work, for example the first movement of a sonata.
- All videos must be recent (2024/2025/2026).
- The video can be recorded in a professional studio or in a home environment.
- By submitting your entry, you automatically authorize the Contest organizers to use this video for purposes related to the Contest: sending videos to the judges and publishing videos on the website and social media.
- Recordings must be attached to the dedicated information form, with a YouTube, Vimeo, or other link, or using file transfer tools. In all cases, the file name or link must contain the candidate's first and last name.
Twenty-four candidates will be selected for the live audition on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Cagnes-sur-Mer.
The list of selected candidates will be announced on Monday, May 18, 2026.
b - Live test :
Free program of 15 to 18 minutes including a work by Chopin
Only one piece performed for the video preselection may be performed again in the live round.
The program is subject to change until Monday, June 1, 2026. Any requests for program changes should be sent by email to: samsonfrancoiscompetition@gmail.com. No program changes will be accepted after this date.
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For the JUNIOR category (maximum age 15)
Program : Free program of 12 to 15 minutes.
Pre-selection : The 32 will be selected.
The program is subject to change until Monday, June 1, 2026. Any requests for program changes should be sent by email to: samsonfrancoiscompetition@gmail.com. No program changes will be accepted after this date.
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For the YOUNG TALENT category (maximum age 12)
Program : Free program of 7 to 10 minutes.
Pre-selection : The 40 will be selected.
The program is subject to change until Monday, June 1, 2026. Any requests for program changes should be sent by email to: samsonfrancoiscompetition@gmail.com. No program changes will be accepted after this date.
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For the CHILDREN category (10 years maximum)
Program : Free program of 4 to 7 minutes.
Pre-selection : The 40 will be selected.
The program is subject to change until Monday, June 1, 2026. Any requests for program changes should be sent by email to: samsonfrancoiscompetition@gmail.com. No program changes will be accepted after this date.
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For the YOUNG CHILDREN category (8 years old maximum)
Program : Free program of 5 minutes maximum
Pre-selection : The 40 will be selected.
The program is subject to change until Monday, June 1, 2026. Any requests for program changes should be sent by email to: samsonfrancoiscompetition@gmail.com. No program changes will be accepted after this date.
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For the VERY YOUNG category (6 years old maximum)
Program: Free program lasting a maximum of 3 minutes
Pre-selection : The 40 will be selected.
The program is subject to change until Monday, June 1, 2026. Any requests for program changes should be sent by email to: samsonfrancoiscompetition@gmail.com. No program changes will be accepted after this date.