13th Annual National Piano Festival - March 16th - 19th, 2023
Feast your ears lads and lassies, the Piano Academy of Ireland (PAI) is back with a bang and a tickle of the ivories! Our annual National Piano Festival is set to take place in person once again, taking you on a journey of melody and harmony, straight from Rathgar’s gorgeous Methodist Church, Dublin 6. This year’s festival will take place from the 16th to the 19th of March, 2023 and it’s going to be an in person treat, just like the good old days.
We know you’re all chomping at the bit to show off your skills, so we’re giving you the opportunity to show off submit your finest performances and have them judged by our esteemed adjudicator. So, whether you’re a budding Beethoven or an aspiring Adele, this is your chance to shine. Don’t let this opportunity slip by, and put your best foot forward, or in this case your best pedal forward. So dust off your pianos, warm up your fingers, and be ready to tickle those ivories like never before, see you at the Live in person festival!
Registration for the Piano Festival AND written Limerick submission deadline is February 17th, 2023.
Γ’ΛΛΓ―ΒΈΒLimericks *finalists* will have two more weeks to make their video, just like before, deadline March 3rd.
2023 National Piano Festival
Lads and lassies of all ages, it’s time to step out of your comfort zones and tickle those ivories like never before! The Piano Academy of Ireland (PAI) Festival is the perfect platform for everyone, whether you’re a tiny tot just learning the ropes or a seasoned pro who’s been playing for decades. From the young ‘uns under six years old, to the more mature and experienced players, and everyone in between, we welcome you all with open arms and ears ready to listen to your performances.
Not only that, but you’ll get feedback from our esteemed adjudicator, who has been in your shoes, so they know just what it takes to hit the right notes. And let’s not forget about the fantastic prizes, and of course, some good old-fashioned Irish humour! So, what are you waiting for? Get those Limericks ready and show us what you’ve got!
2023 National Piano Festival
Lads and lassies of all ages, it’s time to step out of your comfort zones and tickle those ivories like never before! The Piano Academy of Ireland (PAI) Festival is the perfect platform for everyone, whether you’re a tiny tot just learning the ropes or a seasoned pro who’s been playing for decades. From the young ‘uns under six years old, to the more mature and experienced players, and everyone in between, we welcome you all with open arms and ears ready to listen to your performances.
Not only that, but you’ll get feedback from our esteemed adjudicator, who has been in your shoes, so they know just what it takes to hit the right notes. And let’s not forget about the fantastic prizes, and of course, some good old-fashioned Irish humour! So, what are you waiting for? Get those Limericks ready and show us what you’ve got!
2023 Adjudicators
At the Piano Academy of Ireland, we’re not just playing notes, we’re making music – and history! Back in 2012, we were the first to offer a prize in the revolutionary new currency of Bitcoin, and when the world went into lockdown in 2020, we didn’t miss a beat, transitioning our annual festival to the virtual realm. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any more exciting, we then added a Limerick Writing Contest to our line-up, because when life gives you lemons, we make Limericks! But wait, there’s more! For our 2023 Festival, we’re not just playing the usual tunes, we’re striking a chord in the world of NFTs by minting a limited-edition NFT Leprechaun, with 88 variations to choose from. And for our top prize winners, a one-of-a-kind NFT prize awaits.
Plus, we’re giving back by donating 10% of the proceeds of the NFT sales to the Sheila Gouldson Scholarship Fund that brings piano lessons to those who need it the most. Tune in for more details on the NFT reveal soon! In the meantime, let’s raise the roof and make some music!
An Opportunity for Learning and Inclusivity
- The Piano Academy of Ireland’s annual festival is not just a bunch of keys clacking, it’s a celebration of music and learning! And let’s not forget the bling – with over β¬1000 in prize money, trophies, salvers and medals that are nicer than your grandmother’s china, everyone’s a winner! But it’s not just about the awards, it’s about the experience. We’ll be giving out certificates and fun give-aways to all participants, because we believe in sharing the love. And speaking of sharing, our competition categories are as diverse as a Guinness on tap – solo and duet categories from under 6 years all the way to adult, so whether you’re a prodigy or a hobbyist, there’s a spot for you at our piano-palooza.
Let the Festival Fun Begin!
- Sure, why not add a bit of green to the mix! As part of our St. Patrick’s Day celebration, we’re asking all participants to dress up in their finest or most funk-tastic green attire. Think of it as a little nod to the Emerald Isle and the spirit of St. Paddy. We want to see you in the green, lads and lasses! And who knows, you might just be the best dressed of them all and win an extra prize!
- Registration for the Piano Festival AND written Limerick submission deadline is February 17th, 2023. Γ’ΛΛΓ―ΒΈΒLimericks *finalists* will have two more weeks to make their video, just like before, deadline March 3rd.
Go n-eirΓ an t-Γ‘dh libh,
Rhona & Archie
Save the Dates!
- Online Registrations
- Limerick Text & Videos (encouraged)
DEADLINE
February 17th, 2023
Also, don’t forget to submit your video by March 3rd, for a chance to win our grand prize of an NFT! The Leprechaun King or Queen of the NFT world awaits you! And if you’re not lucky enough to win, don’t worry, there will be plenty of craic and music to go around. So get those green shirts pressed and those video cameras ready, and let’s make some music!
Categories
- Solo Under 6 years
- Solo Under 8 years
- Solo Under 10 years
- Solo Under 12 years
- Sonatina Under 12 years*
- Solo Repertoire Under 12 years**
- Solo Under 14 years
- Solo Under 16 years
- Solo Under 18 years
- Solo Etude Open (no age limit)***
- Piano Concerto Open (no age limit)****
- Solo Adult Bronze JubileePre-Grade 5 (over 18)
- Solo Adult Silver JubileePost-Grade 5 (over 18)
- Duet Under 12 years
- Duet Under 16 years
Festival Procedure
- Get ready to tickle those ivories, lads and lasses, because the Piano Academy of Ireland’s annual festival is going live and in person from Rathgar Methodist Church from the 16th to the 19th of March 2023! With round-the-clock piano performances, each age-group concert will be presented in alphabetical order, followed by a live adjudication! But don’t worry, we’ll be mixing in a bit of humour with Limerick interludes, and announcing the ‘Most Festively Dressed’ and ‘Best Limericks’ of the bunch. In case you miss it, don’t fret, it’ll be available for viewing afterwards.
- And speaking of festively dressed, we’re asking all our participants to don their finest or funk-tastic green attire as part of our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Show us your true Irish spirit!
- During the festival, we’ll be handing out feedback reports and certificates to all participants, including any special awards. And don’t worry, there will be medals!
- But it’s not just about the feedback, it’s about the prizes! With more than β¬1000 in prize money, NFTs, gorgeous trophies, salvers and medals, as well as certificates and fun give-aways for all participants, we’re spreading the wealth.
- 5 And for those lucky enough to take home a trophy, Congrats!
Limerick Video Submission Guidelines
Video Recording Tips
- Please film your video in Landscape.
- Using your phone or tablet to record is fine.
Please hold your - phone/tablet to record video in landscape, not portrait (landscape is horizontal, portrait is vertical). This type of recording will help fill the screen better and make for a more consistent presentation for our premiere.
- When recording your video, include just a few seconds of silence before and after starting the performance.
- Try to present yourself as if this were a βrealβ performance! We want to capture your best performance to share!
Instructions for Uploading Video
- After your video audition has been created, upload it to YouTube as βunlistedβ (see below).
- Be sure to give the file an appropriate title and description (see below).
- Copy/paste the URL into your online Video Submission Form.
- Please check your URL to ensure it is functioning properly before submitting your application.
Video Format
- YouTube accepts any of the following video formats: .MOV, .MPEG4, MP4, .AVI, .WMV, .MPEGPS, .FLV, 3GPP, and WebM.
Upload
Follow these directions to upload your completed video to an unlisted YouTube file. By doing this, only someone with a direct link to your video will be able to view it on YouTube.
- Go to http://www.youtube.com and sign in. If you donβt already have an account, create one.
- Click the βUPLOADβ button at the top.
- Either click on the βSelect files to uploadβ box and select your video file from the directory or
- drag/drop your video file into the box.
- In the βBasic Infoβ screen, enter YOUR NAME where the filename appears. i.e. Lisa Smith, Limerick
- Change the privacy setting from βPublicβ to βUnlisted.β
- Click βDone.β
- When the video is finished, copy the URL and paste it into your online application form