2027 Rules of the Burgundy International Piano Competition

  1. The Burgundy International Piano Competition is organized by the Beaune Piano Fest association, a non-profit organization under French law.
  2. The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities.
    • Junior Online Categories: Born between 2010 and 2021 (ages 6-17 during the competition)
    • Junior Live Categories: Born between 2012 and 2021 (ages 6-15 during the competition)
    • Master Category: Born between 1991 and 2011 (ages 16-35 during the competition)
  3. The First Round of the Competition takes place online (see section 11 "Online Rounds – Rules").
  4. The Semi-final and public Final of the Competition take place in Beaune on March 27 and 28, 2027 at the Sainte-Étienne Chapel, 6 Place Ziem.
  5. Registration deadline, submission of complete documents and YouTube link for the First Round:
    • December 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (Paris time) — MASTER category
    • January 10, 2027, 11:59 p.m. (Paris time) — JUNIOR Online and JUNIOR Live categories
  6. Registration:
    • Via the website: www.bourgogne-pianocompetition.com
    • By email to contact@beaunepianofest.fr with:
      • Completed registration form
      • Bio (10 lines maximum) in English and French (PDF format)
      • HD photo (JPEG, max 4 MB)
      • Copy of ID (PDF)
      • Complete program for all rounds, timed (PDF)
      • Proof of registration fee payment (PDF)
      • Video link (YouTube, Dailymotion…) for the First Online Round
  7. Registration fees:
    • Junior Online and Junior Live Categories:
      • Category A 6–7 years: €20
      • Category B 8–9 years: €30
      • Category C 10–11 years: €40
      • Category D 12–13 years: €50
      • Category E 14–15 years: €60
      • Category F (Online only) 16-17 years: €70
    • Main Category: €120
    • Payment methods:
      • Credit card via online registration
      • Check (France only)
      • Bank transfer (banking fees are the responsibility of participants): IBAN: FR76 3000 3007 5200 0502 8023 051
  8. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of payment.
  9. No video from the first online round will be judged if registration fees are not paid or proof of payment is not sent before the registration deadline.
  10. Registration fees are neither refundable nor transferable.
  11. Online Rounds – Rules:
    • Please consult the complete program for each category in the competition folder.
    • The first online round will be judged by an "Online" Jury composed of 3 or 4 members, including the Artistic Director.
    • Video submission for the first round must be done no later than December 10, 2026 for MASTER and January 10, 2027 for all JUNIOR Online and Live categories.
    • Video links will be accessible online on the competition website.
    • All videos must be uploaded directly to a streaming platform (YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion…).
    • File submissions or DVDs are not accepted.
    • At the end of the first round, the jury selects up to 15 semi-finalists for the MASTER category; up to 6 finalists for all JUNIOR Live categories; participants in JUNIOR Online categories will receive their rankings and diplomas following the Live Competition rounds held in Beaune on March 27 and 28, 2027.
    • Technical requirements:
      • Video recorded for the 2027 competition, smartphone permitted
      • Face and hands visible, fixed shot without effects or editing
      • Acoustic piano only (upright piano permitted)
      • No cuts in the middle of a piece under penalty of disqualification. Cuts between pieces are allowed except between the Preludes and Fugues by J.S. Bach.
      • Active video link with no duration limit
      • All videos are public and visible on the website and YouTube page of the Beaune Piano Fest Association / Burgundy International Piano Competition
      • Any link not sent before the deadline results in disqualification without refund
  12. Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of participants.
  13. Minor participants must be accompanied by a responsible adult (parental authorization required if not a parent).
  14. The Semi-final and public Final take place in Beaune, Sainte-Étienne Chapel, on March 27 and 28, 2027.
  15. The public Gala evening takes place on March 28, 2027 in the evening. The 3 MASTER finalists perform their Gala program to compete for the prizes.
  16. All Semi-finalists and Finalists receive a paper diploma. All JUNIOR Online participants receive a digital diploma; a paper diploma is sent by mail for the top 3 ranked candidates.
  17. The organization reserves the right to request additional information.
  18. Precise timing is mandatory for all works.
  19. The Main Jury is composed of 4 to 5 different members from the First Round jury (except the Artistic Director).
  20. All juries are composed of national and international musical personalities.
  21. A jury member cannot vote for their own students. If a jury member's student participates, the President – Artistic Director uses their casting vote to break the tie.
  22. The jury may interrupt a participant if the maximum time is exceeded.
  23. Teachers' names are not communicated to the jury.
  24. The jury is sovereign in awarding prizes, except for the Audience Prize.
  25. The Commarin Castle Prize is awarded solely by the Artistic Director of the Commarin Castle Festival, Ingmar Lazar, during the Gala evening on March 28. The Commarin Castle Prize includes a paid concert (€500) and travel reimbursement (€200).
  26. The jury's decisions are final and binding.
  27. In case of a tie, a second vote is organized. The Artistic Direction may use a casting vote.
  28. The jury may decide not to award a prize if the level is deemed insufficient.
  29. A semi-finalist or finalist missing a mandatory piece is automatically disqualified.
  30. If a finalist cannot participate in the Gala evening, they are replaced by the next finalist in the ranking, unless otherwise decided by the jury.
  31. A distinction may be awarded to one or more teachers of semi-finalists and finalists.
  32. No jury member may receive a distinction if they have student candidates.
  33. The rounds in Beaune are public (limited seating).
  34. Any withdrawal must be announced by email to contact@beaunepianofest.fr.
  35. Memorized performance is mandatory (except contemporary pieces upon request).
  36. Participants are responsible for their visa formalities. An invitation letter can be provided.
  37. The organization's insurance covers only incidents occurring during the competition. Accompanying persons must have their own insurance.
  38. Participants must be available for promotional activities during and after the competition rounds.
  39. Participation implies the transfer of recording and broadcast rights to Beaune Piano Fest.
  40. Registration constitutes full and complete acceptance of these rules.
  41. Previous finalists and award winners (except First Prize winners) may re-enter and directly access the Semi-final (MASTER) or Final (JUNIOR Live).
  42. Non-compliance with the rules results in disqualification.
  43. In case of differences between translations, only the French text is authoritative.
  44. The rules may be modified without notice.