Enter

Enter Entries Open March 01 to April 31, 2025

2025 Pianoforte Competition dates: July 28 to August 04

Venue: Ballarat Mechanics Institute

Adjudicator; TBC

Non-competitive sections available, alongside traditional competitive sections.  Many categories available to suit all voice types. 

Read the 2025 Schedule of Sections for full details. 

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Schimmel Pianoforte Competition

Piano comes from the Italian name Pianoforte which means “piano” soft and “forte” loud.

The Schimmel Pianoforte competition at the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod has launched many young performers careers. The Eisteddfod offers a unique chance for personal growth and improvement. Our platform is a transformative journey where performers can refine their skills, boost their confidence, and unlock their full potential. Join us on this path to self-discovery and artistic excellence.

The Schimmel Pianoforte competition is open to all ages from under 8 years – 19 years, VCE students and Open Age sections. There are also new non-competitive sections available in all age groups this year for those wishing to perform and receive a critique for experience only.  

The Schimmel Pianoforte Competition has many special awards with up to $300 cash prize money on offer.* Competition is open to all pianists, including individuals, schools, specialist music schools and/ or private intuition teachers students.

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Learn more about the Pianoforte discipline from our collection of stories, historical records and media....

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Explore our history timeline

The Schimmel Pianoforte is a well-established discipline of the Royal South Street Society Ballarat Eisteddfod.

1949

A special meeting of the South Street Society is called to consider whether the Competitions should proceed in view of the polio epidemic sweeping Victoria. It is resolved that competitors under 15 years of age not compete and the Junior Calisthenics Section is also cancelled. A concert is held to establish a Percy Campbell Memorial Prize to be awarded annually to the Ballarat boy or girl who secures the highest marks in the Piano Solo under 14 years. Although partially blind since birth, Campbell had perfect pitch. Aboriginal people become Australian citizens. The Louie Dunn Prize is established in memory of one of Ballarat’s noted teachers of Speech and Dramatic Art.  It was established to be the pre-eminent award for Drama in an eisteddfod in Australia, and it remains so.