The SONUS INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL is pleased to announce the creation of the 2025 Guastavino International Online Piano Competition (GIPC). The GIPC is an online competition judged via video submissions, open to pianists of all nationalities.  Winners of the 2025 Competition will be announced during the Sonus International Music Festival in October 2025.

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2025 GUASTAVINO INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION

The goal of the competition is to disseminate and encourage the performance of solo piano works by eminent Argentine composer Carlos Guastavino (April 5, 1912 - October 29, 2000). Repertory requirements offer applicants the opportunity to create exciting programs that showcase their artistry and musicianship. In addition to performing compositions by Carlos Guastavino, applicants are invited to present their favorite compositions from the traditional repertory and from 20th and 21st century composers from the Americas - including North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean Islands.

 

APPLICATION

  • All applications must be submitted via the Sonus-IMF competition portal.

  • Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

  • The competition application portal opens on June 1, 2024, at 8:00 AM, New York Time.

  • The competition application deadline is May 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM, New York Time.

  • Access the competition portal at https://sonus.tenutoweb.com starting June 1, 2024.

  • Choose the specific requirements based on your age.  

  • Applicants under 18 must obtain parental/guardian consent to enter the competition.

  • Proof of age will be required from contestants who advance to the final round.   

  • Provide the requested information, including name, birth date, and nationality.

              

APPLICATION FEE 

$50 USD non-refundable application fee, to be submitted via PayPal through the competition portal starting  June 1, 2024.

 

CATEGORIES

The competition is open to pianists of any nationality, and structured in 3 categories, according to the age reached on or before April 30, 2025.   

  • CATEGORY I – Age 36 and older 

  • CATEGORY II – Age 19 to 35           

  • CATEGORY III – Age 18 and under             

  

PRIZES 

Cash Awards (USD)

  • CATEGORY I – $1000

  • CATEGORY II – $600

  • CATEGORY III – $400

  • Best Interpretation Award – $200 Carlos Guastavino's Sonata in C# minor.

Performance Awards

  • Winners will be invited to future live and virtual Sonus International Music Festival events.

  • Winners' competition videos will be featured in the October 2025 (virtual) Festival, and archived on the Sonus-IMF YouTube Channel.

JUDGES

The international jury will be announced in January 2025.

ADJUDICATION PROTOCOL

Artistic quality will be the predominant factor in the competition adjudication. The jury will take repertory selection and level of difficulty into consideration.

  • All works must be performed from memory.

  • Contestants must comply with the required minimum duration in each category.

  • Scroll down on this page for the Repertory Requirements by Category.

  • To program piano compositions by Carlos Guastavino, follow the repertory recommendations under each category. For information and links to publishers, access the Composer's Reference List.

COMPOSER’S REFERENCE LIST - LINKS TO PUBLISHERS

Works for piano solo by Carlos Guastavino.

Prepared for this competition, the GIPC-2025-Reference List itemizes the composer's piano compositions written between 1937 and 1974, cites performances of his solo piano works on Sonus International Music Festival productions since 2020, and includes links to publishers. Click here to download the Reference List.

COMPETITION PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

  • The competition will be evaluated in three phases. 

  • Judges' evaluations will be based on category requirements by age.

  • There will be a winner per category.

  • Judges’ decisions are final. Judges reserve the right not to award a prize at a level or levels.

  • Judges’ comments will be distributed to applicants by email after the winners are announced.

  • Contestants' videos will be evaluated anonymously. Each contestant will receive a contestant ID.

  • Only the winners’ names will be announced on the website.

  • Financial transactions will be conducted via PayPal or other payment methods mutually agreed upon.

  • All communication from the competition administration will be conducted by email. Any required responses from applicants will be expected in a timely manner.

  • Applicants agree to follow all competition rules and instructional emails. Applicants who do not follow all rules and stated guidelines may be disqualified.

  • Winners may not enter the same age category in future GIPC competitions.

  • Applicants must avoid copyright infringement by obtaining sheet music from music retailers or publishers of Guastavino's music. For information access the Composer’s Reference List.

    If you have questions, please e-mail Dr. Nancy Roldán at <nancy@sonusinternationalmusicfestival.org> Subject: GIPC.

VIDEO SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Provide unedited, high quality video recordings.

Record a separate video for each of the three required repertoire groups:

  1. Work(s) from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic eras, or 20th century styles.

  2. Work(s)by a composer from the Americas (as described above)

  3. Work(s) by Carlos Guastavino.

Stipulations:

  • Record with one camera.

  • Do not edit. Record each repertoire group or piece in one take. 

  • Provide good illumination. 

  • The performer's face, hands and feet must be always clearly visible, as if on stage.

  • Comply with the duration requirements.

Submitting your videos:

  • Upload your unedited videos to your own YouTube channel or other service such as Dropbox, Vimeo, or Google Drive.

  • Provide the link through the registration portal. Additional directions will be available through the portal.  

REPERTORY REQUIREMENTS: CATEGORY III - Age 18 and under

Your program must include works in each of the three required repertoire groups:

1

One or more works of the applicant's choice by a composer from the Baroque, Classical, or Romantic eras, or 20th century styles.

Minimum duration, 5 minutes.

2

One or more works of the applicant's choice by a composer from the Americas (North, Central, or South America, or the Caribbean Islands.)

Minimum duration, 5 minutes.

3

Works by Carlos Guastavino. Choose a work or works of contrasting character from the following list

Minimum duration, 6 minutes.

  • Gato (1937)

  • Bailecito (1937)

  • Preludio. Canción (1940)

  • La Tarde en Rincón (1952)

  • Pampeano (1952)

  • La Siesta. (1942) Three Preludes: El Patio, El Sauce, Gorriones

    Contestant must perform all three movements

  • 10 Preludes (1952) on Argentine Children’s Songs. (1952) 

    Contestant's selection must contain one of the following:

    • No. 8    Un domingo de mañana - or

    • No. 9    La torre - or

    • No. 10  En un coche va la niña

  • Mis Amigos (1966)

    Contestant's Selection. Must contain one of the following:

    • No. 2   Nelly, de la Calle Rio IV - or

    • No. 4   Pablo, del Aeroparque - or

    • No. 6   Gabriel, de la Calle Andonaegui - or

    • No. 10 Alina, de la Calle Lacroze

REPERTORY REQUIREMENTS: CATEGORY II - Age 19-35

Your program must include works in each of the three required repertoire groups:

1

One or more works of the applicant's choice by a composer from the Baroque, Classical, or Romantic eras, or 20th century styles.

Minimum duration, 8 minutes.

2

One or more works of the applicant's choice by a composer from the Americas (North, Central, or South America, or the Caribbean Islands.)

Minimum duration, 8 minutes.

3

Works by Carlos Guastavino. Choose a work or works of contrasting character from the following list

Minimum duration, 10 minutes.

  • Tierra Linda (1941)

  • Pampeano (1952)

  • Las Niñas (1952)

  • Estilo (1952)

  • Romance de Cuyo La zamacueca (1953)

  • La Siesta. Three Preludes (1942)  

  • Sonatina in G minor (1945)  

  • Tres Sonatinas (1949)  

  • Tres Romances Nuevos (1954) 

    • This set contains two works

  • 10 Cantos Populares (1974)

REPERTORY REQUIREMENTS: CATEGORY I - Age 36 and over

Your program must include works in each of the three required repertoire groups:

1

One or more works of the applicant's choice by a composer from the Baroque, Classical, or Romantic eras, or 20th century styles.

Minimum duration, 10 minutes.

2

One or more works of the applicant's choice by a composer from the Americas (North, Central, or South America, or the Caribbean Islands.)

Minimum duration, 10 minutes.

3

Works by Carlos Guastavino. Choose a work or works of contrasting character from the following list

Minimum duration, 20 minutes.

       

  • Sonata in C# minor (1946)  

  • Las Presencias. (1959-1961) Perform the entire cycle.

    • Loduvina

    • Ortega

    • Federico Ignacio Céspedes Villega

    • Mariana

    • Horacio Lavalle 

       

  • 10 Cantilenas Argentinas. (1952-1958) Select a minimum of five.

    • This selection must include two of Nos. 2, 3, 5, 7, and 10.

       

  • Select four compositions from the list below.  

    • Tierra linda (1941)

    • Las niñas (1952)

    • Romance de Cuyo. La zamacueca (1953)

    • La niña de Río Dulce (From 3 Romances Nuevos, 1954)

    • El chico que vino del sur (From 3 Romances Nuevos, 1954)