Juniors

Performers

Audition required, 24 Chosen
Upon acceptance, Performers agree to the required residency of the PianoTexas Events: June 12 -29, 2026

Active & General Observers: Audition not required, automatic acceptance
(see Active & General Observers Page for more info)

Application Fee for Performers: $135.00

	Performers	Active Observers	General Observers
TUITION Participants under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian	$1875 Parent Fee $400	$1000 Parent Fee $400	$750 Parent Fee $400
Housing at the TCU dormitory. (Housing does not include meals) All fees are per person You may choose to stay off campus, see "Accommodation & Meals" section on this page for more options Only Double accommodations are offered for Juniors as minors must stay with a parent or a legal guardian	Double $1395	Double $1395	Double $1395
Admission to all master classes, recitals, discussions, Distinguished Artist & Concerto Concerts within the duration of the program chosen	✔	✔	✔
3 private lessons	✔	2 lessons	not included
Performance in 1 master class	✔	not included	not included
Number of recital performances	2	1	not included
Eligible to participate in the Concerto Competition for a chance to be a soloist with the Fort Worth Symphony	✔	not included	not included
Media Package - including recital performances, masterclasses, and the concerto performance if participant is a winner of the concerto competition	$160 on or before Tuition due date, $180 after	$160 on or before Tuition due date, $180 after	N/A

PianoTexas Refund Policy:

• Before April 10, 2026, full tuition and housing costs refunded, less the non-refundable tuition deposit of $500.
• From April 11 to April 26, 2026, 50% tuition is refunded, less the non-refundable tuition deposit of $500.
• After April 26, 2026 no refund will be given for tuition and housing under any circumstance.

Enrico Elisi

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Jan Jiracek von Arnim

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Yoshikazu Nagai

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John Owings

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Rebecca Penneys

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Andrey Ponochevny

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Aviram Reichert

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Igor Resnianski

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Boris Slutsky

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Tamás Ungár

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Eric Zuber

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The experience of performing with an orchestra is of paramount importance in building a career in the music profession. With this in mind, PianoTexas is one of a few International Festivals in the world that collaborates with a professional orchestra to perform with selected Juniors in a public concert.

A Concerto Competition will be organized to select performers for the Concerto Winners Concert. Rehearsals with the second piano will be arranged.

The beautiful Van Cliburn Concert Hall with its superb acoustics will be the home of the Juniors Concerto Competition and Winners Concert.

We strongly encourage all Juniors performers to participate in the concerto competition.

Juniors Concerto Winners Concert
Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra 
Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU

Rehearsal: TBD

 

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The Concerto Repertoire List 

Choose any one movement from the following Concerto Repertoire(with the exception of the Mendelssohn Concerto No. 1 in g minor.)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
No. 9 in E-flat major, K. 271 
No. 13 in C major, K. 415
No. 15 in B-flat major, K. 450
No. 17 in G major, K. 453
No. 19 in F major, K. 459
No. 20 in D minor, K. 466
No. 21 in C major, K. 467
No. 22 in E-flat major, K. 482
No. 23 in A major, K. 488
No. 24 in C minor, K. 491
No. 25 in C major, K. 503
No. 26 in D major, K. 537
No. 27 in B-flat major, K. 595

Joseph Haydn
No. 11 in D major, HOB XVIII

Ludwig van Beethoven:
No. 1 in C major, Op. 15
No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 19
No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 (2^nd or 3^rd movement only)
No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 (2nd or 3rd movement only)

Felix Mendelssohn: 
No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25 (1st or 2^nd and 3^rd movement )

Frédéric Chopin:
No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 (2^nd or 3^rd movement only)
No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

Johannes Brahms: 
No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15 (2^nd or 3^rd movement only)
No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 83 (2^nd or 4^th movement only) 

Robert Schumann:
A minor, Op. 54 (1^st or 3^rd movement only)

Edvard Grieg: 
A minor, Op. 16

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: 
No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 (2^nd or 3^rd movement only)

Camille Saint-Saëns: 
No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
No. 4 in C minor, Op. 44
No. 5 in F major, Op. 103

Sergei Rachmaninoff:
No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 1 
No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18
No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 (1^st or 3^rd movement only)

Sergei Prokofiev:
No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10
No. 2 in G minor, Op. 16
No. 3 in C major, Op. 26

Audition Video Recording Repertoire Requirements:

Recording Date: All audition videos must be recorded within the past 12 months.
• Length: A minimum total duration of 20 minutes is required. Applicants may submit multiple pieces, and the audition must include at least two contrasting styles.

• Repertoire:
– A classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, or Schubert, or a concerto (one movement is acceptable for either a sonata or a concerto) must be included.
– The concerto does not need to be from the Classical period; however, at least one submission must be a Classical-period work.
– A concerto is not required for the application, even if you plan to participate in the Concerto Competition after acceptance.

• Video Quality: Applicants must submit the highest-quality recording possible, as video and audio presentation will influence acceptance decisions. The selection jury will evaluate your complete performance presentation.

• Selection: Only 24 performers will be invited to participate. Accepted performers are expected to maintain the highest artistic standards. All festival performances will be public, streamed, and recorded.

Repertoire for the Festival:

Your audition repertoire does not need to match the repertoire you plan to perform in Master Classes or Recitals during the festival. If accepted, you will receive a separate survey to update your performance selections.

PianoTexas is dedicated to providing Young Artist performers with a challenging and rewarding professional experience. To ensure the highest artistic standard, participants are expected to prepare a recital repertoire consisting of three substantial works and several shorter pieces suitable for both recitals and master classes.

Participation in the Concerto Competition is optional but strongly encouraged, as it forms an integral part of the festival’s artistic environment.

All repertoire performed during the festival must be memorized and selected to showcase each performer’s highest level of artistry and technical command.

 

Solo recital programs will be arranged for the Juniors performers. These recitals take place in the superb acoustics of the three concert halls on the TCU campus. They are the heart of the program and provides excellent experiences during the festival.

All recitals are open to the general public and are recorded and streamed over the Internet. Each performer offered to perform in one recital with a 24-minute program or two recitals with two 12-minute programs. The Artistic Director is responsible for programing these recitals and his decision is final.

Repertoire submitted for PianoTexas may be used for both your master class and recitals.

Video recordings of these recitals will be available as part of the Media Package for the participants to purchase.

PianoTexas offers participants the rare opportunity to study with world-class pianists and distinguished pedagogues through a series of engaging and inspiring master classes. Each performer will receive one master classe with a distinguished guest artists, gaining valuable insights into interpretation, technique, and artistic expression.

To maintain a balanced and diverse program, applicants are asked to submit three or more substantial works. Concerto repertoire may be included; however, the piece chosen for the Concerto Competition may not be performed prior to the competition. All repertoire must be performed from memory.

Comprehensive works such as complete concertos, sonatas, and suites are highly encouraged. Due to time limitations, it is at the guest artist’s discretion to determine which movements will be heard during the session.

The Artistic Director oversees all performer assignments and repertoire selections, ensuring artistic integrity and consistency throughout the festival.

Master classes are open to the public, recorded, and livestreamed internationally, allowing audiences everywhere to experience these exceptional learning moments.

Performers of the Juniors Program will receive three private lessons (each 45 minutes) with different guest artists. These lessons provide opportunities for in-depth examination and discussion of musical and technical matters, so although the choice is free, the repertoire should be carefully considered. 

The Artistic Director is responsible for the allocation of all private lessons and his decisions are final.

 

Additional private lessons are possible, at extra cost, depending on the availability of the guest artists. The scheduling and fees should be discussed directly between the guest artist and the participant.

 PianoTexas is committed to providing the performers in the Juniors Program a challenging and satisfying experience.

Performers will have the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. They will have solo performance opportunities, participate in a master class and receive three private lessons.

In order to have a beneficial experience, Junior Performers are expected to come prepared with several works of their choice to participate fully in the Festival.  All works must be memorized and selected to represent the Performer’s highest artistic ability. 

For information on repertoire requirements for the audition videos, see the Application Information Page.

PianoTexas warmly welcomes observers of all ages. This is a great opportunity to observe the teaching of many different international artists. At the same time to attend the Distinguished Artists Series, concerto, solo concerts and the popular “Conversations with Guest Artists” during the Juniors Program.

Active Observers receive two private lessons as well as a performance opportunity in one recital.

General observers are most welcome to join all the events organized by PianoTexas.

Depending on the availability of the guest artists, private lessons are possible, at extra cost. The scheduling and fees should be discussed directly between the guest artist and the participant. 

PianoTexas ensures that all participants have access to practice facilities, creating an ideal environment for artistic preparation and focused study.

Practice rooms equipped with grand pianos are available exclusively for performing participants, offering excellent instruments and acoustics for daily rehearsal. Active observers are welcome to use these rooms when they are not occupied by performers. In addition, a number of practice rooms with upright pianos are available and open to all participants, including general observers, at any time.

All practice facilities remain open 24 hours a day, allowing participants the flexibility to practice and refine their artistry according to their individual schedules.

“Conversations” are light-hearted affairs, in which PianoTexas’ vastly experienced guest artists share valuable information along with entertaining stories and anecdotes of a life in music.

These highly popular, informal question-and-answer sessions provide excellent opportunities for constructive interactive dialogues on such important topics as the music profession, careers, recording, performing, practicing, competitions and understanding of styles.

Performers of the Juniors Program have the option to purchase the PianoTexas Media Package. This is a collection of each participant’s recorded performances, master classes and photos.

Use of personal video or audio recording equipments is not permitted during all PianoTexas events.

At the conclusion of the Program, these Media Packages will be individually uploaded and distributed.

PianoTexas provides accommodations in the TCU dormitories. Participants are strongly encouraged to stay on campus to fully experience university life; however, they may also choose to arrange lodging at nearby hotels or through Airbnb options.

TCU dormitories are conveniently located close to the School of Music. They are fully air-conditioned, with comfortable lounges, large common kitchens, laundry rooms, and spacious bedrooms. Although many include a shared en-suite bathroom, most occupants will share conveniently located communal bathrooms. Each participant will receive a set of linens consisting of a pillow, thermal blanket, pillowcase, top and bottom sheets, 1 bath towel, 2 washcloths, 1 hand towel, and a TCU laundry bag. All bedrooms are equipped with a small refrigerator and a microwave.

For 2026, no meals are included in the housing cost if you opt to stay in the TCU dormitory. If you wish to have meals at the TCU cafeteria, you may pay at the door. The meals ranges from $12 - $16 plus tax.

Numerous restaurants are also situated within easy walking distance.

At the conclusion of the program, participants may keep the set of linen provided. However, if they leave it behind, they will be donated to the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth.

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In partnership with the Hyatt Place, a limited number of rooms are available for confirmed participants with tuition paid in full.

Due to World Cup events happening concurrently with PianoTexas in 2026, the availability of hotel rooms are limited and prices are higher due to high demand. We strongly encourage booking your accommodations early.

The Hyatt Place will be offering a 20% discount for our participants. Invited participants to PianoTexas will receive a code and may reserve a room directly with the hotel. Rooms are first-come-first-serve, we encourage you to make reservations as early as possible as the availability is limited.

Hyatt Place Fort Worth/TCU
3029 Sandage Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76109

Perforers are required to be present during the entire duration of the festival as part of the acceptance agreement.
Check-in: June 12, 2026, 4 - 6 pm only. All participants must attend orientation meeting at 7 pm.
Check-out: June 29, 2026 before 12:00 pm

Late arrival outside of the specified check-in window will have to find separate accommodation as the next check-in is available on June 5 at 9 am.