4th Ponce Project International Piano Competition 2026, US
Huston (Texas), US
LIVE and VIRTUAL
Deadline: August 1st, 2026
Ponce Project Music Foundation (PPMF) invites pianists of all nationalities to participate in its 4th Ponce Project International Piano Competition 2026.
The Competition is The only competition dedicated exclusively to the Latinoamerican Piano Repertoire.
The competition is open to pianists of all nationalities ages 6 to 35.
Divisions:
4 Jóvenes Artistas Divisions: age from 6 to 18 years
1 Division Libre: age limit of 35
Concierto Competition: age limit of 35
LIVE Competition: August 15th, 2026, in Houston, Texas
VIRTUAL Competition: video submission – August 1st, 2026
Required Repertoire:
LIVE and VIRTUAL in Jóvenes Artistas Division 1 (up to age 8) perform only one work by any composer selected from the options provided.
Participants LIVE and VIRTUAL in Jóvenes Artistas Divisions 2 (ages 9-11), 3 (ages 12-14), 4 (ages 15-18), and Division Libre (up to age 35), must perform two works:
• One by Manuel M. Ponce
• One by another composer, selected from the options provided.
Participants of the Concierto Competition, LIVE only (up to age 35), must perform one of the following works by Manuel M. Ponce
• Concierto para piano No. 1
• Balada mexicana para piano
Application Fees (USD):
• Jóvenes Artistas Divisions 1, 2, 3, 4: $75
• Libre Division: $90
• Concierto Competition: $90
• Libre Division + Concierto Division: $150
Prizes (USD):
• Jóvenes Artistas Division 1: up to age 8
1st Prize: $100/ 2nd Prize: $75/ 3rd Prize: $50
• Jóvenes Artistas Division 2: ages 9–11
1st Prize: $200/ 2nd Prize: $100/ 3rd Prize: $75
• Jóvenes Artistas Division 3: ages 12–14
1st Prize: $300/ 2nd Prize: $150/ 3rd Prize: $100
• Jóvenes Artistas Division 4: ages 15–18
1stPrize: $400/ 2ndPrize: $200/ 3rd Prize: $100
• Division Libre: up to age 35
1st Prize: $1,500/ 2nd Prize: $750/ 3rd Prize: $300
• Concierto Competition: up to age 35
1st Prize : $1,500/ 2nd Prize :$750/ 3rd Prize: $300
The 1st prize of the Concierto Competition will be invited to perform with Orquesta de Cámara de Zapopan (OCZ), Jalisco during its 2026-27 season, conducted by Mtro. Guillermo Salvador.
