Piano Festival
The WSU Piano Festival, held annually, celebrates the art of piano playing and provides an educational experience and development of young pianistic talent. Open to budding and pre-professional pianists grades 1-12, contestants perform in front of our renowned, award-winning guest faculty, interact with fellow students and current collegiate pianists of Weber State University and have the chance to win prizes as well as mentorship opportunities with professional artist-faculty.
Information about the 2026 festival will be available soon.
All questions should be emailed to wsupianofestival@weber.edu.
Eligibility and Requirements
The festival is open to students in grades 1-12. First-place winners from previous years must compete at a higher level. Past first-place winners in the grade 10-12 divisions are not eligible to compete.
Participants must perform their pieces from memory, except for the Duet Division. Unaccompanied concerto movements are permitted. Original scores must be given to the judges. Printed scores, including IMSLP copies, are acceptable. Participants may compete in up to two divisions, but must use different repertoire.
Schedule
Saturday, April 5, 2025
8 a.m. – 1 p.m
Student Competitions
Browning Center Rooms 113 and 136
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Carnival Games and Prizes
Browning Center Room 318
2:30 p.m
Awards Ceremony and Honors Recital
Browning Center Room 136
Festival competition times will be drawn at random. Special time requests will not be considered. Schedule is subject to change.
Festival winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony, and first-place winners will perform following the announcement. Please indicate the performer's availability on the registration form. For participants who compete in person at WSU, winners' medals, certificates and comment sheets will not be mailed.
Performance Divisions and Rules
Regular Division
Grades 1-12
Participants performing in one of the following divisions must perform two contrasting classical pieces (no popular music) from memory. Unaccompanied concerto movements are permitted.
Time allotments:
- Grades 1-3: up to 3 minutes
- Grades 4-6: up to 5 minutes
- Grades 7-9: up to 8 minutes
- Grades 10-12: up to 10 minutes
Mini-Artist Division
Grades 1-6
Participants must perform one complete piece (no excerpts) from memory. Judge’s decisions will emphasize the quality of the performance, rather than the difficulty of the work.
Time allotments:
- Grades 1-3: up to 3 minutes
- Grades 4-6: up to 5 minutes
Bach and Sonatina Division
Grades 1-12
Participants must perform either one memorized work by J.S. Bach or one movement of a Classical Sonatina.
Time allotments:
- Grades 1-3, 4-6: up to 5 minutes
- Grades 7-9, 10-12: up to 7 minutes
Duet Division
Grades 1-12
Participants entering the duet division must play two contrasting pieces for one piano four hands. Duets requiring two pianos are not permitted. Memorization is not required.
Time allotments:
- Grades 1-3, 4-6: up to 8 minutes
- Grades 7-9, 10-12: up to 10 minutes
Online Division
Grades 1-12
This division takes place entirely online. Participants must perform two contrasting classical pieces from memory and email YouTube video links and PDF scores to wsupianofestival@weber.edu by March 26.
Time allotments:
- Grades 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12: up to 10 minutes
Department of Performing Arts
801-626-6437
Val A. Browning Center
Weber State University
3950 W. Campus Dr.
Ogden, UT, 84408-1905