Rules & Instructions

Competition Summary

Create a video of yourself performing a piece. Upload the video to YouTube and submit your video link at registration for a chance to win a cash prize, an iPad, or a Piano Marvel t-shirt.

Note: If you are a teacher, you no longer need to fill out a studio registration form. Your students can now easily register themselves in seconds by clicking Join Competition. There is no registration fee.

Video Submission Rules

1. Providing false information about age or identity will disqualify participants from this and future competitions.
2. Participants competing in the wrong age bracket will not be included in the competition.
• Early Elementary bracket entrants must be ages 5 - 7 as of February 28, 2026.
• Late Elementary bracket entrants must be ages 8 - 10 as of February 28, 2026.
• Middle School bracket entrants must be ages 11 - 13 as of February 28, 2026.
• High School bracket entrants must be ages 14 - 19 as of February 28, 2026.
• Adult bracket entrants must be 18 or older or no longer in high school as of February 28, 2026.
3. Only videos uploaded on or after September 1st, 2025, will be accepted into the competition.
4. Compositions and arrangements for the composition contest must be written entirely by the entrant.
5. Entrants may submit as many videos as desired as long as they are registered separately.
6. Entrants may use audio and video editing, creative camera angles, costumes, sets, and virtually any other creative means to create an entertaining video.
7. Content must be clean and kid friendly for all age categories. If inappropriate content is submitted, it will be immediately disqualified and reported on YouTube.

Video Upload Format

When uploading the video to YouTube, please use the following format for the YouTube title:

Piano Marvel Competition 2026 - Performer(s) playing ‘Title’ by Composer

Example: Piano Marvel Competition 2026 - Gabe Slade and Anna Slade playing ‘Winter Leaves’ by Aaron Garner

Prizes

• Early Elementary (ages 5 - 7) - $50
• Late Elementary (ages 8 - 10) - $50
• Middle School (ages 11 - 13) - $75
• High School (ages 14 - 17) - $100
• Adult (age 18+) - $100
• Ensemble (all ages) - $100
• Composition (all ages) - $100

Important Notes

Voting will take place on the Piano Marvel site and videos will be judged solely based on the tastes of Piano Marvel community. Voting will begin on February 1st and continue until March 6th.

The winner of each category will be announced and some honorable mentions will be featured by Tuesday, March 10, 2026. Prizes will be awarded shortly thereafter. We are excited for you to join us for this competition, and we look forward to hearing your performance!