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Minor changes to the competition rules and conditions may be made before applications open on April 1, 2026. The final schedule for the live competition in Edinburgh will be published on April 25, 2026.
Register Your Interest
Applications open on 1 April 2026.
Please register your interest to receive notification.
Please register your interest to receive notification.
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We invite talented young pianists and organists up to the age of 21 from around the world to apply for the Helen Hopekirk International Piano & Organ Competition – Live Edition, held in Edinburgh, UK.
Please read the information below carefully before submitting your application.
1. Competition Overview
Format: Live (in-person)
Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Venue: The Parish Church of St Cuthbert (5 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EP)
Competition dates: 22–24 May 2026
2. Eligibility
Open to entrants up to age 21.
For the Live Competition, age is determined as of 22 May 2026.
Multiple entries are permitted; separate application fees apply.
3. Categories
Piano – Live (Edinburgh)
Organ – Live (Edinburgh)
All categories consist of one round.
Each contestant performs at least two pieces, appropriate to their age and level within the time limit specified for their category.
Full repertoire requirements are outlined on the Repertoire page.
4. Application Deadline
Applications close: 23 April 2026, 23:59 (UK time)
Applications are accepted until a category reaches capacity.
If a category is oversubscribed, applicants may be offered a place on the waiting list.
Paid applications are not accepted before 1 April 2026.
A free Expression of Interest may be submitted in advance to receive reminders and updates.
5. Entry Fee (Live Competition)
Piano: £30
Organ: £30
The entry fee must be paid at the time of application.
Proof of payment must be uploaded with the application form.
The entry fee represents a modest administrative contribution and helps confirm a participant’s commitment.
6. Accessibility & Fee Support
To ensure equal access, a limited number of fee waivers, bursaries and reduced fees are available.
Requests may be made confidentially and without the need to provide formal documentation.
Fee support may be considered in the following cases:
No participant should feel excluded for economic reasons.
For fee support requests, please contact:
helenhopekirkcompetition@gmail.com
7. What You Need to Submit
For the Live Piano & Organ Competition, applicants must submit:
1) Short Biography
A brief biography of the participant (maximum 150 words), written in the third person.
2) Repertoire Information
Please list the works to be performed, including:
This photo may be used for the competition website, printed programme and promotional materials.
Please name the file as: SURNAME_FirstName_Photo.jpg
8. Refund Policy (Live Competition)
Before 20 April 2026, 23:59 (UK time):
entry fees may be refunded, minus any payment processing fees.
After the application deadline:
entry fees are non-refundable, except in the event of cancellation of the competition by the organisers.
9. Travel & Accommodation
Travel, accommodation, visas and related expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
10. Terms & Conditions
By submitting an application, participants agree that submitted photographs and biographies may be used for promotional and archival purposes.
The jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
11. Communications (Under 13)
For entrants under the age of 13, all communications must be conducted using a parent or guardian’s email address.
By submitting an application or subscribing to updates, you consent to receive competition-related information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Please read the information below carefully before submitting your application.
1. Competition Overview
Format: Live (in-person)
Location: Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Venue: The Parish Church of St Cuthbert (5 Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EP)
Competition dates: 22–24 May 2026
2. Eligibility
Open to entrants up to age 21.
For the Live Competition, age is determined as of 22 May 2026.
Multiple entries are permitted; separate application fees apply.
3. Categories
Piano – Live (Edinburgh)
Organ – Live (Edinburgh)
All categories consist of one round.
Each contestant performs at least two pieces, appropriate to their age and level within the time limit specified for their category.
Full repertoire requirements are outlined on the Repertoire page.
4. Application Deadline
Applications close: 23 April 2026, 23:59 (UK time)
Applications are accepted until a category reaches capacity.
If a category is oversubscribed, applicants may be offered a place on the waiting list.
Paid applications are not accepted before 1 April 2026.
A free Expression of Interest may be submitted in advance to receive reminders and updates.
5. Entry Fee (Live Competition)
Piano: £30
Organ: £30
The entry fee must be paid at the time of application.
Proof of payment must be uploaded with the application form.
The entry fee represents a modest administrative contribution and helps confirm a participant’s commitment.
6. Accessibility & Fee Support
To ensure equal access, a limited number of fee waivers, bursaries and reduced fees are available.
Requests may be made confidentially and without the need to provide formal documentation.
Fee support may be considered in the following cases:
- participants from low-income families;
- students applying through state-funded music schools;
- siblings or multiple entries from the same family.
No participant should feel excluded for economic reasons.
For fee support requests, please contact:
helenhopekirkcompetition@gmail.com
7. What You Need to Submit
For the Live Piano & Organ Competition, applicants must submit:
- a completed application form;
- Upload Documents (PDF) .
1) Short Biography
A brief biography of the participant (maximum 150 words), written in the third person.
2) Repertoire Information
Please list the works to be performed, including:
- title of each work;
- composer;
- approximate duration of each piece (in minutes).
- Please name the file as: SURNAME_FirstName_Category.pdf
- Upload Photo
This photo may be used for the competition website, printed programme and promotional materials.
Please name the file as: SURNAME_FirstName_Photo.jpg
8. Refund Policy (Live Competition)
Before 20 April 2026, 23:59 (UK time):
entry fees may be refunded, minus any payment processing fees.
After the application deadline:
entry fees are non-refundable, except in the event of cancellation of the competition by the organisers.
9. Travel & Accommodation
Travel, accommodation, visas and related expenses are the responsibility of the participant.
10. Terms & Conditions
By submitting an application, participants agree that submitted photographs and biographies may be used for promotional and archival purposes.
The jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
11. Communications (Under 13)
For entrants under the age of 13, all communications must be conducted using a parent or guardian’s email address.
By submitting an application or subscribing to updates, you consent to receive competition-related information. You may unsubscribe at any time.