How to Participate | Ad Libitum Piano Competition

How to prepare your video submission

You may record your performance with a smartphone or with professional equipment. Both options are welcome. The most important thing is to use the best available video and audio quality. We recommend recording horizontally and using a tripod whenever possible.
Place the camera close enough to capture a clear sound without excessive reverberation. Your silhouette and your hands on the keyboard should be visible. We accept videos recorded from different angles, as long as the performance can be evaluated clearly.
Upload your recording to YouTube or a similar platform and submit the link through the application form.

Choose your main category

Please choose one of the five main categories:

Piano Prodigy (9 years old and younger)
Piano Junior (10–13 years old)
Piano Senior (14–19 years old)
Piano Master (20 years old and above)
Amateur (for participants without formal musical education, no age limit)

* The participant’s age is counted on the current application deadline.

After choosing your main category, you may also enter one or more additional Expert Categories. This choice is optional. Each Expert Category is judged separately, which means you compete within each selected category independently.

You may apply to multiple categories with the same program, submit an additional recording for extra categories, or participate only in your main category.

Program length and application fee

The duration of the program should not exceed 15 minutes in each category. If the submitted program is longer, the Jury reserves the right to evaluate only the amount of music permitted by the rules.

Separate movements from cyclical works are allowed. You may include one or several recording links, provided that the total duration remains within the time limit for each category.

The entry fee is 60 EUR for the main category and 30 EUR for each additional Expert Category.

The application form calculates the total fee automatically according to your selection. After submitting the form, you will be redirected to a secure payment platform (Stripe).

How performances are evaluated

AD LIBITUM is an online piano competition judged by professional and experienced jurors. Each performance is evaluated individually.

The final score reflects several artistic and technical aspects, including musicality and expression, charisma, technique, level of preparation, and stylistic awareness.

The maximum score is 25 points.

Prizes are awarded according to the following scoring system:

24–25 points – Gold Prize
22–23 points – Silver Prize
19–21 points – Bronze Prize
17–18 points – Laureate Title

What you receive

Prizewinner Diplomas (PDF) for all awardees in every category.

Participation Diploma (PDF) for all participants.

Optional jury feedback to support your further artistic development.

If you choose the feedback option, the jury will listen to your entire submitted recording.

Participant

Every performance matters

Participation diploma in PDF
Optional valuable jury feedback
Full listening of your recording when feedback is selected

Prizewinner

Be recognized across categories

Gold Prize
Silver Prize
Bronze Prize
Laureate Title

Special Awards

Reach beyond a single category

Versatile Pianist
Pianist of the Season
Pianist of the Year

Prizewinner diplomas (PDF) are awarded in all categories.

Versatile Pianist Award is presented to the participant who wins the highest distinctions in the greatest number of categories. The winner is featured at the top of the winners page.

Pianist of the Season Award is presented to the participant with the highest overall score in the edition, based on the combined results of all entered categories. The winner is featured at the top of the winners page.

Pianist of the Year Award is presented to the participant with the strongest results across the calendar year.

AD LIBITUM piano competition illustration

How to participate?