Enter
Enter Entries Open March 01 to April 30, 2026
Pianoforte Competition 15 - 20 June 2026
Celebrating Chopin 21 June 2026
Venue: Ballarat Mechanics Institute
Adjudicators: Coady Green (Pianoforte and Chopin)
and TBC (Chopin)
2026 Schedule of Sections promises to provide a wide range of opportunities for novice, emerging and advanced players.
2026 Schedule of Sections will be released in January 2026.
Junior Chopin for 16 Years and Under
Own choice of one or more complete works or movement of Chopin. Time Limit 10 mins
1st Prize $500
2nd Prize $300
3rd Prize $150
Encouragement Award $50
Senior Chopin - Margaret Schofield Memorial Prize for a Performance of the Music of Chopin for 17 - 32 Years
Competitors must present at least two significant works of Chopin. The program may include an Etude, a Ballade, Sonata Movement, Scherzo, the Barcarolle or a similar large work. Time Limit 15 - 20 mins.
1st Prize $5000
2nd Prize $2500
3rd Prize $1000
Encouragement Award $500
2026 Pianoforte Adjudicator - Coady Green and TBC
2025 Celebrating Chopin Winners - Oscar Kwan and Angelina Wang
Schimmel Pianoforte Competition
Pianoforte — derived from the Italian words “piano” (soft) and “forte” (loud).
The Schimmel Pianoforte Competition at the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod has been the starting point for many successful musical careers. The Eisteddfod provides a unique opportunity for personal and artistic growth — a transformative journey where performers can refine their technique, build confidence, and realise their full potential. We invite you to join us on this path of self-discovery and musical excellence.
The Schimmel Pianoforte Competition is open to participants of all ages.
In 2026, the competition will include five aggregate sections:
• Traditional Piano Solo
• Popular Piano Solo
• Australian Piano Solo
• Piano Recital
• Adjudicator Quick Study
Additional offerings include a range of novice sections, duets, trios, composition, VCE/VET categories, and a new section dedicated to accompanists.
🎹 SPONSORS NEEDED 🎹
Are you passionate about piano?
Do you want to help support the next generation of musicians?
We welcome enquiries about donating prize money for our Pianoforte sections.
For more information, please contact info@royalsouthstreet.com.au
News
Stories
Learn more about the Pianoforte discipline from our collection of stories, historical records and media....
Explore
Explore our history timeline
The Schimmel Pianoforte is a well-established discipline of the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod.
