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First Edition ｜ July 23-26, 2025
The inaugural International DMasters Piano Competition (IDPC), held during DFestival, aims to forge a fresh path in nurturing tomorrow’s pianists by celebrating unique artistic expression and empowering emerging musicians to shape their own musical journeys. Beyond the competition stage, we seek to cultivate a supportive environment that fosters camaraderie among participants and enriches the musical community for years to come, contributing to the growth of piano arts education in China and the broader Asian region.
The 2025 IDPC offers cash prizes, festival scholarships, and a comprehensive artist and young performer management and promotion package with a total value of up to HKD $550,000. Winners will receive carefully orchestrated career opportunities through partnerships with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and Hong Kong GMC Music, such as professional manager signings, solo and orchestral concert engagements, CD publications, and recording projects. They will also be eligible for full or partial scholarships to the 2026 DFestival, along with performance opportunities during the festival.
The inaugural International DMasters Piano Competition (IDPC), held during DFestival, aims to forge a fresh path in nurturing tomorrow’s pianists by celebrating unique artistic expression and empowering emerging musicians to shape their own musical journeys. Beyond the competition stage, we seek to cultivate a supportive environment that fosters camaraderie among participants and enriches the musical community for years to come, contributing to the growth of piano arts education in China and the broader Asian region.
The 2025 IDPC offers cash prizes, festival scholarships, and a comprehensive artist and young performer management and promotion package with a total value of up to HKD $550,000. Winners will receive carefully orchestrated career opportunities through partnerships with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and Hong Kong GMC Music, such as professional manager signings, solo and orchestral concert engagements, CD publications, and recording projects. They will also be eligible for full or partial scholarships to the 2026 DFestival, along with performance opportunities during the festival.
The 2025 IDPC is categorized into three distinct divisions:
A: The age requirements are based on the participant's age as of July 22, 2025:
- Emerging Talents: 12 years old or under (born on or after July 22, 2012)
- Young Artist Division: 13-17 years old (born between July 22, 2008 and July 22, 2012)
- Professional Division: 18-28 years old (born between July 22, 1997 and July 22, 2007)
A: No. All participants must compete in their respective age categories to ensure fair competition and appropriate repertoire requirements.
A: No. The International DMasters Piano Competition welcomes participants from all countries and regions. We embrace diversity and international participation.
A: Yes. Both students and professionals are welcome to participate in their respective age categories.
- First Round: Online video submission
- Semi-Final: July 23, 2025
- Concerto Final: July 25, 2025
- First Round: Online video submission
- Semi-Final: July 23, 2025
- Concerto Final: July 25
- First Round: Online video submission
- Semi-Final: July 24, 2025
- Concerto-Final: July 26, 2025
All competition rounds for all categories will be held in the Xiamen University Tan Kah Kee College Auditorium.
1. First Round: Video submission
- Applicants must submit video recordings (high-quality video recordings, unedited and filmed within the last 12 months) of TWO solo pieces from different periods (repertoire requirements are consistent with DFestival's preliminary selection requirements). Applicants may also prepare a video recording of one additional chamber music piece (if available).
2. Semi-Final Round: 15-20 minutes free program
- It is recommended to include works from at least two contrasting musical periods
3. Concerto Final: First movement of a piano concerto
- Performed with Quartet Daedalus
- 8 finalists to select one concerto from the following list:
1. J.S. Bach: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
4. Haydn: Piano Concerto in D major, Hob. XVIII:11
5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
6. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
- Repertoire choices for all rounds must be submitted at the time of application.
- Any changes must be approved by the competition committee at least 60 days prior to the performance date
1. First Round: Video submission
- Applicants must submit video recordings (high-quality video recordings, unedited and filmed within the last 12 months) of TWO solo pieces from different periods (repertoire requirements are consistent with DFestival's preliminary selection requirements). Applicants may also prepare a video recording of one additional chamber music piece (if available).
2. Semi-Final Round: 20-25 minutes program
- Must include works from at least two contrasting musical periods
3. Concerto Final: First movement of a piano concerto
- Performed with Quartet Daedalus
- 5 finalists to select one concerto from the following list:
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 12 in A major, K. 414
2. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488
3. Mozart: Piano Concerto in E-flat Major, K. 271, "Jeunehomme"
4. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
5. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
6. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
7. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
8. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
- Repertoire choices for all rounds must be submitted at the time of application.
- Any changes must be approved by the competition committee at least 60 days prior to the performance date
1. First Round: Video submission
- Applicants must submit video recordings (high-quality video recordings, unedited and filmed within the last 12 months) of TWO solo pieces from different periods (repertoire requirements are consistent with DFestival's preliminary selection requirements). Applicants may also prepare a video recording of one additional chamber music piece (if available).
2. Semi-Final Round: 45-50 minute program
- Must include works from at least two contrasting musical periods
- The final piece of the program must be the first movement of a chamber work, performed with Quartet Dadaelus. Contestants must choose from the following list:
1. Brahms: Piano Quintet in F minor, Op. 34
2. Schumann: Piano Quintet in E-flat major, Op. 44
3. Dvořák: Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, Op. 81, B. 155
3. Concerto Final: Full Concerto
- Performed with Quartet Daedalus
- 3 finalists to select one concerto from the following list:
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto in E-flat Major, K. 271, "Jeunehomme"
2. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
3. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.4 in G major, Op.58
4. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
5. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
6. Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
7. Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
8. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
- Repertoire choices for all rounds must be submitted at the time of application.
- Any changes must be approved by the competition committee at least 60 days prior to the performance date
- First Round:
- To be announced
- Semi-Final & Final Rounds:
International Jury Panel consisting of 6 members (To be announced):
- 1 Jury Chairman
- 5 Distinguished Jury Members
- Jury members must declare any current or recent students (within past 2 years)
- Jury members cannot vote for their own students; scores will be averaged from remaining jury members
- Jury members must attend all performances in their assigned categories
Voting Options
Each jury member must vote one of:
- Yes (Advance)
- Maybe (Under Consideration)
- No (Do Not Advance)
- No abstentions permitted
- All votes are binding once submitted
Vote Submission
- Independent voting by each jury member
- No discussion during voting process
- Votes submitted through paper
- No vote changes permitted after submission
1.Scoring Process:
- Number of "Yes" votes received
- "Maybe" votes considered for tie-breaking
- Participants ranked from highest to lowest number of "Yes" votes
2. Finalist Selection:
- Top 8 highest-scoring participants advance to finals
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- Number of "Yes" votes received
- "Maybe" votes considered for tie-breaking
- Participants ranked from highest to lowest number of "Yes" votes
2. Finalist Selection:
- Top 5 highest-scoring participants advance to finals
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- Number of "Yes" votes received
- "Maybe" votes considered for tie-breaking
- Participants ranked from highest to lowest number of "Yes" votes
2. Finalist Selection:
- Top 3 highest-scoring participants advance to finals
HKD $20, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
HKD $15, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
HKD $10, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
HKD $100, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
1. One-year contract as a signed artist with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and creation of an artist promotion page
2. One solo concert + one concert with orchestra collaboration in 2025/26 season
3. Professional recording production (video & audio) and album release (CD production and release on domestic and international streaming platforms)
4. Free professional artist portrait photography album
5. Free professional artist personal website creation
6. Full scholarship for 2026 DFestival (whole duraton)
7. Special invitation for a solo concert at 2026 DFestival
8. Opportunity to participate in selected masterclasses at DFestival
*More artist development packages and cross-institutional performance opportunities will be communicated directly to the signed artist at a later date
HKD $60, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
1. One-year contract as a signed young artist with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and creation of an artist promotion page
2. One solo concert in 2025/26 season
4. Free professional artist portrait photography album
6. Half scholarship for 2026 DFestival (whole duraton)
7. Opportunity to participate in selected top-rated masterclasses at DFestival
*More artist development packages and cross-institutional performance opportunities will be communicated directly to the signed artist at a later date
HKD $30, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
1. One-year contract as a signed artist with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and creation of an artist promotion page
2. One solo concert in the 2025/26 season
3. Free professional artist portrait photography album
4. 30% scholarship for 2026 DFestival (whole duraton)
5. Opportunity to participate in selected top-rated masterclasses at DFestival
*More artist development events and cross-institutional performance opportunities will be communicated directly to the signed artist at a later date
HKD $160, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
1. Two-year contract as a signed artist with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and creation of an artist promotion page
2. Two solo concerts + one concert with orchestra collaboration in 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons
3. Professional recording production (video & audio) and album release (CD production and release on domestic and international streaming platforms)
4. Free professional artist portrait photography album
5. Free professional artist personal website creation
6. Full scholarship for 2026 DFestival (whole duraton)
7. Special invitation for a solo concert at 2026 DFestival
8. Opportunity to participate in selected masterclasses at DFestival
*More artist development packages and cross-institutional performance opportunities will be communicated directly to the signed artist at a later date
HKD $90, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
1. One-year contract as a signed artist with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and creation of an artist promotion page
2. One solo concert in the 2025/26 season
3. Professional recording (video & audio) production and album release (CD production and release on domestic and international streaming platforms)
4. Free professional artist portrait photography album
5. Half scholarship for 2026 DFestival (whole duraton)
6. Special invitation for a solo concert at 2026 DFestival
7. Opportunity to participate in selected top-rated masterclasses at DFestival
*More artist development events and cross-institutional performance opportunities will be communicated directly to the signed artist at a later date
HKD $60, 000 worth of scholarships, cash prizes, and artist development package
1. One-year contract as a signed artist with Hong Kong Fantasia International Music Management Ltd. and creation of an artist promotion page
2. One solo concert in the 2025/26 season
3. Free professional artist portrait photography album
4. 30% scholarship for 2026 DFestival (whole duraton)
5. Opportunity to participate in selected top-rated masterclasses at DFestival
*More artist development events and cross-institutional performance opportunities will be communicated directly to the signed artist at a later date
A: Each participant will receive a scheduled rehearsal time in the competition venue (piano tryout) before the live rounds (specific date and time to be confirmed):
Allocated rehearsal times by category:
- Emerging Talents: 15 minutes
- Young Artists: 20 minutes
- Professional: 30 minutes
- Rehearsal schedule will follow the competition performance order
A: Rehearsal arrangements vary by competition stage and category:
Professional Division:
- 30 minutes rehearsal time to rehearse selected chamber piece
Emerging Talents & Young Artists Divisions:
- 30 minutes to rehearse selected concerto first movement
Professional Category:
- 60 minutes to rehearse complete concerto
- Rehearsal times scheduled after semi-finalist/finalist announcement
- No additional rehearsal time can be requested unless special circumstances
The application deadline for the 2025 International DMasters Piano Competition is June 1st, 2025.
1.1 Jury Composition
- The jury comprises internationally acclaimed pianists, conservatory professors, and distinguished music educators
- Jury members are specially invited by the Competition Committee to ensure professional and authoritative adjudication
- The jury is led by an appointed Chairperson who oversees the adjudication process
1.2 Adjudication Principles
- Each jury member votes independently using a three-option system: Yes (Advance), Maybe (Under Consideration), or No (Do Not Advance)
- Jury members must declare and recuse themselves from evaluating categories in which their students are competing
- Rankings are determined primarily by the number of "Yes" votes received, with "Maybe" votes serving as tie-breakers
- No discussion among jury members is permitted during the voting process
- All votes are submitted through papers and are irreversible once submitted
2.1 Performance Standards
- All competition repertoire must be performed from original editions; unauthorized arrangements or pirated scores are strictly prohibited
- Contestants must perform all works from memory
- Repeats are at the discretion of the performer, provided the total performance time remains within prescribed limits
2.2 Application Requirements
- Detailed repertoire information must be submitted at registration, including: work titles, composers, keys, and opus numbers
- Repertoire changes must be submitted in writing three weeks prior to the competition
- Contestants must submit complete application materials within the specified deadline, including valid identification, recent artistic photograph, musical biography, and all documents required to submit in the application form
3.1 Venue Protocol
- Competition venues are accessible only to authorized personnel, including contestants, staff, and ticket holders
- Each contestant may be accompanied by one support person in the preparation area
- Audio recording, video recording, and photography are strictly prohibited during the competition
- Contestants and their accompanying persons must refrain from any communication with jury members
3.2 Time Management
- Contestants must arrive at the registration desk according to the Committee's schedule
- Failure to appear at the designated performance time may result in disqualification
- Performances exceeding the time limit may affect scoring
4.1 Audio-Visual Rights
- All audio and video recordings of the competition are the property of The International DMasters Piano Competition Committee (hereinafter IDPCC)
- The IDPCC retains exclusive rights to competition broadcasts, including live streaming, television broadcast, internet distribution, and audio-visual publication rights
4.2 Image Rights
- Prize winners are required to perform in the laureates' concert without remuneration
- The IDPCC reserves the right to use contestants' photographs, videos, and related materials for promotional purposes
5.1 Financial Policy
- Registration fees are non-refundable
- In case of force majeure cancellation, the Committee will arrange alternative accommodations or process accordingly
5.2 Disciplinary Guidelines
- Contestants must adhere to all venue management regulations
- Submission of false documentation will result in disqualification
- Violation of competition rules may result in immediate termination of participation
5.3 Dispute Resolution
- Disputes arising during the competition shall be adjudicated by the IDPCC
- The IDPCC's decisions are final - Contestants must respect and accept the IDPCC's rulings
6.1 Rights of Interpretation
- The IDPCC retains final interpretative authority over these rules
- The IDPCC reserves the right to modify rules when necessary
6.2 Implementation
- Submission of an application constitutes acceptance of all terms and conditions
-These rules take effect from the date of publication
親愛的藝術家、青年鋼琴家、學員及家長朋友們：
DFESTIVAL自創辦以來，始終以非營利、專業、教育導向為宗旨，致力於為青年音樂人才提供一個專業、開放、可負擔的高水平交流平台。我們所做的一切，源自於對音樂事業的熱愛、對教育本質的信仰，以及對下一代藝術家的責任。
自2024年起，DFESTIVAL組委會與廈門大學嘉庚學院就2025年夏季DFESTIVAL青年鋼琴家藝術節展開合作洽談。在歷時數月的接洽中，專案相關教學場地已完成多輪溝通及配置調整，並在學院相關人員的協助下進入實質籌備階段。我們依照對方明確回饋推進各項組織工作，包括課程設置、師資規劃與食宿安排。
然而，就在計畫即將全面進入執行階段之際，學院相關方面卻突然以「校內審核未通過」為由，單方面宣布終止合作，拒絕提供原已協商完成的教學與演出場地。更令人遺憾的是，在委員會就相關情況尋求溝通時，對方卻以「未授權」等模糊理由對我方施壓。
對此，我們在此嚴正聲明如下：
本專案籌備期間的所有溝通、確認與執行內容，均有據可查，資料完備，事實清晰。
我方始終遵循專業及謹慎原則進行專案推進，不存在越界行為，更無任何違反事實的情況；
相關措詞與處理方式，已對我方項目正常進行造成實質幹擾，我們對此保留進一步追責的權利；
我們必須指出，在整個過程中，學院的多位教師展現出極高的專業素養與教育情懷。他們不僅是傑出的藝術家，更是值得尊敬的教育家，始終本著「教育以人為本」的理念，傾力支持計畫推進，努力為青年藝術人才爭取成長空間。我們對他們的理解與支持深表感激與敬意。
這項突發行為，不僅嚴重損害了DFESTIVAL品牌的公信力，也直接影響了多位已確認參與計畫的國際知名藝術家的聲譽，更對本應健康發展的中外藝術交流造成了不必要的破壞。同時，由此造成的場地預訂、住宿安排、交通調度、宣傳設計等方面的大量經濟損失，也給專案帶來了沉重壓力。在此次突發事件發生後，委員會第一時間啟動緊急應變計畫，迅速進行備用場地的評估與協調工作，確保教學與演出計畫能夠在新的條件下平穩、有序推進。
我們也要由衷感謝所有支持DFESTIVAL的藝術家與青年鋼琴家學員。正因為有你們的信任與同行，我們才有力量走到今天，並堅定地繼續前進。
若因場地變更導致您無法參加本屆音樂節，歡迎第一時間聯絡組委會客服，我們將及時為您辦理全額退款。
我們鄭重承諾：音樂節如期舉行，不延期、不縮水、不妥協。
音樂節場地已確認變更至泉州大劇院，敬請關注官方通知。
DFestival組委會
2025年6月1日
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