RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE
XVII Sonatina and Sonata
International Youth Piano Competition
March 21-22, 2026

Competition Directors:
Nina Drath and Manuela Shull

I
1.	The XVII Sonatina and Sonata International Youth Piano Competition will be held in Corpus Christi, Texas, on March 21-22, 2026.
2.	The Jury will consist of prominent European and American judges.
II
1.	The Competition will be open to pianists of all nationalities.
2.	The competition consists of two stages: Semifinals (by Thumb drive/Memory stick or DVD) and Finals (before the Jury in Corpus Christi, Texas).
3.	Location for the finals of the competition will be announce at a later date.
III
Application for participation in the competition should be made on the attached form, and must be received at the following address:
	
Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas, Inc.
XVII Sonatina and Sonata Piano Competition
4610 Abner Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78411

The application must include:
(a)	Fully completed application form
(b)	One recent portrait photograph (school photo preferred)
Photo is to be emailed directly to: fchopinsocietyoftxcc@gmail.com . Please include applicants name and level in the email
(c)	Copy of the applicant’s birth certificate and letter from applicant’s school, principal or teacher stating what grade applicant is in (the grade of the applicant in school determines the level/grade of participation)
(d)	Brief biography
(e)	Recommendation from the applicant’s piano professor
(f)	Video of the required pieces performed by the applicant on a flash drive or DVD,
(g)	Cashier’s check or money order for the application fee of $150.00 payable to the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas, Inc.
Please indicate the applicant’s name and level on the check or money order.

IV
Please note the following
(READ ALL ITEMS CAREFULLY!)
1.	Applications must be received by February 10, 2026 for acceptance to the competition.
2.	Incomplete documents or incorrectly formatted videos (especially those lacking audio or video) or unreadable files are the responsibility of the applicant.  Participants will not be given a second chance for resubmission. The Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas, Inc. will not return any materials submitted.
3.	The decision of the Admissions Committee is final.
V
1.	The Jury will award First, Second and Third Prizes as well as Honorable Mention to all winners of the Semifinals.  
2.	Notifications will be by emailed by February 24, 2026.
3.	The Award Ceremony for the Finals will be on March 22, 2026, at 9 am. Location for the awards ceremony will be announce at a later date. 
VI
1.	Participation in the Finals will be by invitation only.
2.	Students invited for the Finals must be prepared to perform either piece in their repertoire.
3.	The Finals will be held on March 21, 2026. Location for the finals of the competition will be announce at a later date.
4.	Performance schedules will be emailed by the Jury by the end of February.  
5.	Students invited to perform will receive First Prize with Honors, First Prize with Special Honors, First Prize with Special Honors Plus, or the Grand Prix.
VII
1.	Students invited to perform, and their families are responsible for their own accommodation.
2.	Private accommodations may be provided for students who are arriving from countries outside the United States.
VIII
1.	The Finals will be open to public.  
2.	All Winners of the Semifinals and Finals will be announced, at the Award Ceremony at 9 am on March 22, 2026.
3.	All prize winners are eligible to perform in a Winners’ Recital.  The date and location of the recital will be announced when arrangements have been made.
4.	The judges will select a Grand Prix winner from grades 7-12 and one from grades 1-6.  The Society will reimburse airfare tickets to the Winner’s Recital for the Grand Prix Winners.
IX
All auditions and performances during the competition may be:
(a)	broadcast on radio, television internet and/or Facebook,
(b)	recorded and later broadcast on radio and/or television,
(c)	photographed by the press; with the approval of the Director of the Competition, without remuneration to the pianist.
X
Contestants are required to perform two pieces in the competition.  Levels 1-9: The first will be #1 in their level.  The second is to be ONE of the other pieces listed for their level.  Levels 10-12 choose one Sonata and one Other Piece.

The repertoire requirements of the competition are:

Level  1	
1) A. Biehl - Sonatina in C, Op.57, No.1, 2nd mvt.
2) F. Chopin - Waltz in A minor (posth.)
3) F. Burgmüller - Arabesque
4) W. Gillock - Holiday in Spain
5) G. Meunier - Sa Majeste Le Lion (from G. Meunier, Book II - Les Nouveaux Animaux Magiques, Edition, Henry Lemoine)

Level  2	
1) M. Clementi – Sonatina Op.36, No.1, 3rd mvt.
2) F. Chopin - Polonaise in G minor (posth)
3) Y. Nakada - Dance of the Aborigines
4) B. Adams - Gypsy Earrings
5) G. Meunier - L'Autruche Qui Avait Peur De Tout (from G. Meunier, Book II - Les Nouveaux Animaux Magiques, Edition, Henry Lemoine)

Level  3	
1) T. Haslinger - Sonatina in C Major, 2nd mvt. (Edition 1st Sonatina Album by James & Jane Smisor Bastien)
2) F. Chopin - Polonaise in B-flat Major (posth.)
3) Y. Nakada - The Song of Twilight
4) D. Kabalevsky -Toccatina
5) C. Harrison – Song of the Nations (available at https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/song-of-the-nations-piano-solo-digital-sheet-music/22047828)
6) G. Meunier – Le Poisson Rouge Melancolique (from G. Meunier, Book II - Les Nouveaux Animaux Magiques, Edition, Henry Lemoine)

Level  4	
1) F. Kuhlau – Sonatina Op.55, No.1, 2nd mvt. 
2) F. Chopin - Waltz in A-flat Major, Op.69, No.1 
3) G. Meunier - L'Hippopotame Qui Ne Pouvait Plus Entrer Dans Da Baignoire. (from G. Meunier, Book II-Les Nouveaux Animaux Magiques, Edition, Henry Lemoine)
4) C. Harrison – Moonlit Skies (available at http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/midnight-skies-digital-sheet-music/20408655)

Level  5	
1) H. Lichner - Sonatina in C, Op.66, No.1, 3rd mvt.
2) F. Chopin - Mazurka in F Major, Op.68, No.3
3) F. Mendelssohn - Song without Words in F-sharp minor, Op.30, No.6.
4) G. Meunier - Le Zebre Qui Avait Perdu Son Pyjama (from G. Meunier, Book II-Les Nouveaux Animaux Magiques, Edition, Henry Lemoine)
5) C. Papierniak - Goldfish Variations: Theme and 3, 7, 8, 10 (email the composer to obtain a copy: papierniak2004@yahoo.com)

Level  6	
1) J. Haydn - Sonata in C Major, Hob.XVI:10 (Divertimento), 1st mvt.
2) M. Albeniz - Sonata in D Major 
3) F. Chopin - Waltz in D-flat Major, Op.64, No.1 (Minute Waltz)
4) P. Petroff - Trilogy (The Runner and Other Piano Favorites)
5) C. Papierniak - Sakura (email the composer to obtain a copy: papierniak2004@yahoo.com)

Level  7	
1) W.A. Mozart - Sonata in A Major, K.331, 3rd mvt. (Alla Turca)
2) F. Chopin - Nocturne in C-sharp minor (Lento con gran espressione)
3) H. Villa-Lobos - Le Polichinelle 
4) Y. Mikata - Duel (email the composer to obtain a copy: yukamikata@gmail.com)
5) K. Binienda - Mazurek (email the composer to obtain a copy: konrad.binienda@gmail.com)
6) A. Copland – Cat and Mouse
7) C. Debussy – Little Shepherd

Level  8	
1) J.Haydn - Sonata in E minor Hob.XVI/34, 3rd mvt.
2) F. Chopin – Etude in F minor, Op.25, No.2
3) F. Mendelssohn – Song Without Words Op.102, No.4 (The Sighing Wind)
4) C. Papierniak - Chromatic Tango (email the composer to obtain a copy: papierniak2004@yahoo.com)
5) K. Binienda - Middle Eastern Impressions (email the composer to obtain a copy: konrad.binienda@gmail.com)
6) P. Petroff – The Runner (The Runner and Other Piano Favorites)

Level  9
1) Choice of one of the following sonatas:
-L. van Beethoven - Sonata in C minor, Op.13, 2nd mvt.
-L. van Beethoven - Sonata in C-sharp minor, Op.27, No.2, 1st mvt.
-L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.31, No.2, 2nd mvt
-J. Haydn - Sonata in G Major, Hob.XVI/39, 2nd mvt.
-J. Haydn - Sonata in C Major, Hob.XVI/50, 2nd mvt.
-W.A. Mozart - Sonata in A Major, K.331, 2nd mvt.
2) F. Chopin - Nocturne in E minor, Op.72, No.1
3) F. Chopin - Etude in A-flat Major, Op.25, No.1
4) F. Chopin - Mazurka in A-flat Major, Op.24, No.3
5) C. Scott - Lotus Land, Op.47, No.1
6) Y. Mikata - Borodinsky Dance (email the composer to obtain a copy: yukamikata@gmail.com)
7) E. Grieg – Anitra’s Dance
8) F. Chopin – Nocturne in F minor, Op.55, No.1
9) A. Ginastera – Rondo on Argentine Children’s Folk Tunes
10) S. Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G Major, Op.32 No. 5

All students in grades 10, 11, and 12 choose one Sonata and one Other Piece
Sonatas:	
a) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.13, 1st mvt.
b) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.13, 3rd mvt.
c) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.27, No.2, 3rd mvt.
d) L. van Beethoven - Sonata Op.31, No.2, 1st mvt.
e) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.31, No.2, 3rd mvt
f) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.53, 1st mvt.
g) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.57, 1st mvt.
h) L. van Beethoven – Sonata Op.81a, 1st mvt.
i) J. Haydn - Sonata Hob. XVI/39, 1st mvt.
j) J. Haydn - Sonata Hob. XVI/39, 3rd mvt.
k) J. Haydn - Sonata Hob. XVI/50, 1st mvt.
l) J. Haydn - Sonata Hob. XVI/50, 3rd mvt.
m) J. Haydn – Sonata Hob. XVI/23, 3rd mvt.
m) W.A. Mozart, K 331, 1st mvt.
Other Pieces:	
a) F. Chopin - Etude in C minor, Op.10, No.12
b) F. Chopin - Etude in F minor, Op.10, No.9
c) F. Chopin - Etude in B minor, Op.25, No.10
c) F. Chopin - Etude in C minor, Op.25, No.12
e) F. Chopin - Scherzo in B minor, Op.20
f) F. Chopin - Scherzo in B-flat minor, Op.31, No.12
g) F. Chopin - Ballade in G Minor, Op.23
h) F. Chopin - Ballade in F Major, Op.38
i) F. Chopin - Ballade in A-flat Major, Op.47
j) F. Chopin - Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op.27, No.2
k) F. Chopin - Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op.60
l)  F. Chopin - Etude in A minor, Op.25 No.11
m) F. Chopin - Nocturne in B-flat minor, Op.9, No.1
n) F. Chopin - Waltz in A minor, Op.34, No.2
o) F. Liszt - Liebesträum No.3 in A-flat Major
p) S. Rachmaninoff - Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op.3, No.2
q) I. Albeniz - Granada (Suite Española No.1)
r) C. Debussy – Prelude No.12, Book II, “Fireworks”
s) C. Debussy – Clair de Lune
t) C. Debussy - L’isle Joyeuse 
u) F. Schubert - Impromptu in A-flat Major, Op.142, No.2 
v) M. Ravel-Ondine, from Gaspar de la Nuit
w) A. Scriabin – Etude in C-sharp minor, Op.2, No.1 
x) S. Prokofiev - Sonata No.4, 1st mvt.
y) S. Prokofiev - Sonata, No.4, 3rd mvt.
z) G. Gershwin - Preludes No. 1, 2 and 3.
aa) W. Czepiel - Mazurka for Piano Solo (email:  info@fryderykchopinsocietyoftexas.org for a score of this piece)
ab) K. Binienda - Waltz (email the composer to obtain a copy: konrad.binienda@gmail.com)
ac) E. Granados - Playera (Analuza) No.5
ad) S. Rachmaninoff - Etude-Tableau in C-sharp minor, Op. 33, No. 8.
ae) F. Liszt – Etude De Concert No.2 -  Gnomenreigen
af) F. Liszt – 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies (choose one)
ag) C. Debussy – Pour le piano, Prelude.

XI
All decisions made by the jury are final.

XII
The winners of each level will be awarded the following prizes:
Grand Prix			  ---$200 U.S. Dollars
First Prize with Special 
Honors Plus Plus Plus	  ---$175 U.S. Dollars 
First Prize with Special 
Honors Plus Plus	  ---$150 U.S. Dollars 
First Prize with Special 
Honors Plus		  ---$135 U.S. Dollars 
First Prize with Special Honors    ---$125 U.S. Dollars
First Prize with Honors 	               ---$115 U.S. Dollars
First Prize			  ---$75 U.S. Dollars
Second Prize			  ---$65 U.S. Dollars
Third Prize			  ---$50 U.S. Dollars
Honorable mention		  ---$25 U.S. Dollars

XIII
Additions to the Program may occur and will be recorded at www.fryderykchopinsocietyoftexas.org 

XIV
Competitors are invited to attend a recital by Pianist Yuan Wang.  The recital will be held at 8 pm on Friday, March 20, 2026 at St Pius X Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. The admission is free for all competitors, and $10 for anybody accompanying the competitor. 
XVII Sonatina and Sonata International Youth Piano Competition -- Application

Name: ________________________________________	Grade in school in Spring 2026______	                 

Mailing Address: 	___________________________________________________________________

City, State:   ________________________________________________________	         

Email address:		_________________________________________________	         

Parent/Guardian: _________________________________________________	         

Country: ___________________________ Phone: __________________ Cell Phone: __________________

Piano Teacher (Name, address, cell phone, email) _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________
 
COMPETITION LEVEL						
(see rules for required repertoire)						
Level 1 _______	Level 4 _______	Level 7 _______		Level 10 _______	         
Level 2 _______	Level 5 _______	Level 8 _______		Level 11 _______
Level 3 _______	Level 6 _______	Level 9 ________		Level 12 _______

(Check all appropriate statements)

 ____ I have enclosed the application form.

 ____ I have enclosed the required documents and DVD, thumb drive or memory stick.
								
____ I have enclosed the application fee in the amount of $150.00, made payable to Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas, Inc.

____ As a foreign student, if selected to be in the Finals, I request housing in private accommodations.

____ I will attend the Winners Recital and lunch (tickets $50 per person) on March 22, 2026, at 11 am.

I understand and agree that the Fryderyk Chopin Society of Texas, Inc. is not responsible for any accidents.
or injuries incurred as a result of travel to, from or at any time during participation in this competition.

__________________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian of Applicant,                  Date

REPERTOIRE TO BE PERFORMED:
					
1.	Sonatina/Sonata: _______________________________________________________________

2.	Other Piece: ___________________________________________________________________

            The completed and signed application must be mailed to:  F. Chopin Society of Texas, Inc. 
								 4610 Abner Dr.
								 Corpus Christi, TX 78411