■ Purpose

This competition aims to enhance professional expertise in piano accompaniment, deepen the study of musical works, and foster and discover outstanding piano accompanists with an international perspective.

In both vocal and instrumental fields, participants will be comprehensively evaluated on their musical dialogue with their performance partners, understanding of the works, ensemble skills, and professional expertise as pianists.

■ Entry Information

Entry Deadline: Sunday, March 7, 2027

Announcement of Results: Wednesday, March 31, 2027

Judging Format: Online video adjudication (YouTube Unlisted or Bilibili)

Eligibility: Open to all nationalities and ages

■ Categories

A. Vocal Piano Accompaniment 

Piano accompaniment for solo voice, vocal ensembles, and choirs.

B. Instrumental Piano Accompaniment

Piano accompaniment for string and wind instruments. Chamber music works are also permitted.

Eligible Instruments: Violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, etc.

C. Vocal & Instrumental Piano Accompaniment

Participants perform a combination of both vocal and instrumental works.

■ Performance Requirements

・Repertoire: Free choice (no compulsory pieces).

・Performance Duration: Within 15 minutes, with at least two works.

・Classical music from the Baroque period through contemporary works.

・Vocal or instrumental works (strings or winds) with piano accompaniment.

・Works originally composed with orchestral accompaniment may be performed in a piano-accompanied version.

■ Entry Fee

Participants Residing in Japan: JPY 28,600 (tax included)

Participants Residing Overseas: JPY 30,000 (tax included; PayPal transaction fees included)

Bank Transfer Details ― Japan

Bank: GMO Aozora Net Bank

Branch: Corporate Business Division

Account Type: Ordinary Account

Account Number: 1211700

Account Name (Katakana): シヤ）スープラ ライトウング メトーデ ジャパン

▶ Applicants residing in Japan must transfer the entry fee to the bank account listed above.

▶ Applicants residing overseas must pay via PayPal.

■ International Jury 2027

Kathleen Bird (Germany / USA)

Pianist / Organist / Conductor

Hiro Hadame (Japan)

Producer / Music Consultant

Prof. Wei-En Hsu (Hong Kong)

Pianist / Organist / Conductor / Répétiteur / Composer

Masahi Katayama (Japan)

Pianist / Conductor

■ Prizes

Basel International Piano Accompanist Grand Prize

Highest Distinction ― Prize Money: JPY 100,000

Awarded to a pianist who demonstrates an exceptionally high overall performance standard, advanced accompaniment skills, and outstanding musicianship in this competition.

Basel International Professional Piano Accompanist Award

Advanced Professional Expertise ― Prize Money: JPY 50,000

Awarded to a pianist who demonstrates an especially high level of professional expertise as an accompanist.

Basel International Piano Accompanist Competition Best Collaboration Award

Prize Money: JPY 30,000

Awarded for outstanding musical collaboration and ensemble between the pianist and their performance partner(s).

Basel International Vocal Piano Accompanist Award

Category-Specific Recognition

Awarded to a pianist who demonstrates an especially outstanding performance in the accompaniment of vocal repertoire.

Basel International Instrumental Piano Accompanist Award

Category-Specific Recognition

Awarded to a pianist who demonstrates an especially outstanding performance in the accompaniment of instrumental repertoire.

Basel International Outstanding Piano Accompanist Award

Overall Recognition

Awarded to a pianist who demonstrates an outstanding overall performance.

■ Prize Money

Prize money will be awarded to top prizewinners who have complied with the Rules and who, based on the results of the adjudication, are recognized by the Executive Committee as having achieved an outstanding performance standard appropriate for recipients of the competition’s monetary prizes.

If more than one participant receives the same prize, the total amount of prize money designated for that prize will be divided among the recipients.

Depending on the adjudication results and the standard of performance, a prize may not be awarded if no participant is deemed eligible.

■ Additional Prize Opportunities

・Outstanding prizewinners may be engaged as official pianists for our organization at the Basel Music Festival, masterclasses, and other events.

■ Certificate

・Participants Residing in Japan: Certificate sent by post.

・Participants Residing Overseas: Digital certificate.

Certificates cannot be reissued once they have been issued.

■ How to Enter

・Please apply through the Entry Application Form (formrun system) on our official website.

・Please ensure in advance that you are able to receive emails from the formrun system and baselvocalconcours@gmail.com.

・Please attach proof of age (such as a student ID, driver’s license, passport, My Number Card, etc.) and proof of payment of the entry fee.

・Submitted videos must have been recorded in January 2026 or later.

・As a general rule, applicants should submit a video recorded specifically for the purpose of entering this competition.

・Recordings must be made in a studio, music salon, concert hall, rehearsal room, or similar venue.

・Performances with an orchestra are not permitted.

・Videos and audio recordings must allow the performances of both the performer and the pianist to be clearly assessed. If the performance is significantly difficult to assess, this may affect the adjudication.

・Videos must be uploaded to YouTube (Unlisted) or Bilibili, and the video URL must be submitted.

・Applications may be accepted even if the performance exceeds the prescribed time limit; however, only the portion within the specified time limit will be evaluated.

・Please record the audio at an appropriate volume level to prevent clipping, distortion, or similar problems.

・When performing copyrighted works, applicants must make any necessary applications or confirmations in advance, as appropriate. Requirements may vary depending on the country or region.

・Submitted videos cannot be changed after entry.

・Prizewinners’ performance videos may be made public after the competition. Please do not delete submitted videos without instructions from the Executive Committee.

・If a problem occurs with the formrun system, applications may be submitted by email.

・Please be sure to check the official website for updates.

■ Rules

・The rights to use photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, published articles, and other materials related to this competition shall belong to the organizer, the Basel International Piano Accompanist Competition Executive Committee.

・Previous participants in this competition may enter again. However, previous Grand Prize winners are not eligible to re-enter.

・Participants are responsible for checking the adjudication results on the official competition website.

・Jury comments will generally be sent by email within approximately one month after the conclusion of the competition.

・The number of jury comments provided may vary depending on the category and the circumstances of the adjudication.

・Jury members may be changed due to unavoidable circumstances.

・The awarding of all prizes and prize money will be finally determined by the Competition Executive Committee based on the adjudication results.

・Prizewinners’ performance videos may be made public.

・Performance videos of top prizewinners may be made available to third parties for publicity, promotional, archival, and documentation purposes related to the competition and its organizer.

・If a submitted video is deleted without permission from the Executive Committee during the designated period, the participant may be disqualified.

・If, after receiving prize money, a recipient deletes the relevant video without authorization and without a legitimate reason, the organizer may require the return of the prize money and revoke the prize.

・If conduct that seriously damages the reputation or credibility of the competition or its organizer, fraudulent conduct, or other misconduct is confirmed, measures including revocation of an award may be taken.

 ・If false information is discovered regarding age, educational background, professional history, or any other information provided in the application, the participant may be disqualified or an award may be revoked.

・The publication or dissemination of false information that contradicts the competition’s official announcements or adjudication results, as well as defamation or conduct that damages the reputation, credibility, or honor of the organizer, jury members, participants, or other related parties, is prohibited.

・In the event of a serious violation of the Rules, measures including disqualification, revocation of an award, and repayment of prize money may be taken.

・The entry period may be changed or postponed due to international circumstances, social conditions, or other unavoidable circumstances.

・These Rules may be amended in part due to international circumstances, social conditions, or other unavoidable circumstances.

・Entry fees are, in principle, non-refundable once the entry process has been completed.

・However, if the competition cannot be held due to a natural disaster, war, or other force majeure event, the competition will be cancelled and the entry fee will be refunded after deduction of any necessary fees.

・Questions or objections regarding the adjudication process or results will not be accepted.

・Individual inquiries regarding the content of jury comments or decisions concerning prize money will not be answered.

・Personal information will be appropriately and strictly managed by the Competition Executive Committee.

■ Organizer

Basel International Piano Accompanist Competition Executive Committee

General Incorporated Association Supraleitung Methode Japan®︎

Japanese: https://www.klassikwettbewerbbasel.info

English: https://online.basel-vocalconcours.org/

Updated: August 30, 2026

■ Language

The original version of these Rules is in Japanese. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between the Japanese version and the English translation, the Japanese version shall prevail.

Please note that the English version is provided for reference purposes.