Logo of Oregon Piano Institute featuring a stylized piano with pine trees on the keys and the name beneath.

General Rules

The Murdock International Piano Competition is the first professional-level piano competition to be held in the state of Oregon. Its primary goals are to identify the next generation of talented pianists, encourage the creation of new piano works, and, in an intimate setting, inspire audiences to experience piano performances of the highest level. The competition will be held in three phases: a preliminary online round, followed by in-person semifinal and final rounds in the scenic city of Eugene.

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

    • 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, 1994 - 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; selections from the online may also be performed. Please include titles, composer names, and precise timings in your program submission.

    ROUND 1: SELECTION ROUND
    At least two works from different periods. The video should be recorded in one take, without any edits, and should be between 20–25 minutes of music.

    • 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. 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

    • 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

APPLY NOW