žžÀ²

Important Dates:

Deadline to Register: Sunday, October 26, 2025, at Midnight.

Deadline to apply to žžÀ² for early action with full scholarship consideration: December 1, 2025.

Rules and Regulations

By entering this competition, you agree that this version of the rules, regulations, and requirements do in fact govern all aspects of this competition.

1. Applicants must be within one of the following age ranges at the time of the competition.
2. • Category 1: 7 or younger
   • Category 2: Ages 8-10
   • Category 3: Ages 11-13
   • Category 4: Ages 14-16
   • Category 5: Ages 17-19
3. Submit an online application for the Harold J. Protsman Piano Competition before the October 26, 2025 Deadline.

3. Repertoire Requirements

Each applicant must submit at least two (2) contrasting pieces, selected fromÌýtwo different style periodsÌýlisted below (one piece per period):

• Baroque
• Classical
• Romantic
• 20th Century

Performance Time Limits

Applicants should adhere to the following maximum performance durations based on their category. Repertoire may exceed the time limit, but jurors are not obligated to listen beyond the allotted time:

• Category 1:Ìýup to 5 minutes
• Category 2:Ìýup to 7 minutes
• Category 3:Ìýup to 10 minutes
• Category 4:Ìýup to 15 minutes
• Category 5:Ìýup to 20 minutes

Ìý

1. All pieces must be solo works for piano
2. All pieces must be performed from memory.
3. Single Movements of Multi movement works are acceptable.
4. Original compositions and improvisations will not be accepted.Ìý
5. Repeats are discouraged
6. Applicants should bring one copy of their music to the competition for the Jury
7. The order of appearance of pianists will be determined by a drawing conducted by competition officials
8. If any unexpected situations arise in the execution of these guidelines, the Jury Chairman will resolve such situations.
9. The competition reserves the right to request production of any documents confirming proof of age at any time during the competition. Failure to produce such documents when requested will result in disqualification from the competition, and the applicant will not be refunded any fees.
10. Applicants may not be in contact with any members of the current jury while they are actively in the competition. Any violation of this rule may disqualify the applicant.
11. Evaluations made by the jury committee are final and are not subject to reevaluation.
12. Jurors reserve the right to not award prizes if they do not deem it appropriate.
13. Applicants may be disqualified from the competition for violating any of the rules and regulations. The competition reserves the right to make any changes and will notify all applicants if any changes are made as soon as possible.

Application Details and Fees

All applications must be completed and submitted through the online application form. Any incomplete submissions will not be considered for judging.Ìý

A confirmation email will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the completed application.

A non-refundable application fee is due at the time of submission and is to be paid through the competition website.Ìý

Category 1 (Ages 7 or younger): $30

Category 2 (Ages 8-10): $40

Category 3 (Ages 11-13): $50

Category 4 (Ages 14-16): $75

Category 5 (Ages 17-19): $100

Free trial lessons are available to all participants in Category 5 after the competition has concluded.

Awards

Winners in each category will receive the following prizes:Ìý

Category 1:

First Prize: $75 Cash Prize

Second Prize: $50 Cash Prize

Third Prize: $25 Cash Prize

Category 2:

First Prize: $100 Cash Prize

Second Prize: $75 Cash Prize

Third Prize: $50 Cash Prize

Category 3:

First Prize: $200 Cash Prize

Second Prize: $150 Cash Prize

Third Prize: $75 Cash Prize

Senior Category:

First Prize: $350 Cash Prize

Second Prize: $250 Cash Prize

Third Prize: $150 Cash Prize

Scholarship Awards for current High School Seniors in the Senior Category

First Prize: $7,000 Scholarship to ODU ($28,000 over four years)

Second Prize: $5,000 Scholarship to ODU ($20,000 over four years)

Third Prize: $3,000 Scholarship to ODU ($12,000 over four years)

The announcement of prize winners will take place at the end of the adjudication for each category as well as during the winners’ recital. ÌýResults will also be posted on our website.

All competition applicants will receive a certificate of participation.

All participants in the Senior Category will receive a high-quality video recording of their performance.

Ìý

Scholarship Coverage for the Senior Category:

First Prize: $7,000 per year for FOUR YEARS of study at the Diehn School of Music as a Piano Performance Major.Ìý

Second Prize: $5,000 per year for FOUR YEARS of study at the Diehn School of Music as a Piano Performance Major.Ìý

Third Prize: $3,000 per year for FOUR YEARS of study at the Diehn School of Music as a Piano Performance Major.Ìý

Additional Scholarship Opportunity: Based on jurors' discretion, additional scholarship prizes may be awarded.

Scholarships will be confirmed and delivered once the offer of admission to the university has been officially accepted.

If any of the prize winners do not accept their scholarships they will be awarded at the discretion of the jury chair, Dr. Zachary Deak.

Ìý