Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition

Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition is a prestigious piano competition held in Salt Lake City, Utah. It offers cash prizes of $50,000 for the Gold Medal at the International Artists Competition and $15,000 for the Gold Medal at the Young Artists Competition, open to pianists worldwide.

How Gina Bachauer Competition Works

The Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation is based in Salt Lake City. It has run competitions for 50 years as of 2026. The foundation operates multiple competition categories:

International Artists Competition (held in even years, for professional pianists):

• Gold Medal: $50,000 cash award, commemorative gold medal, New York City concert engagement, concerto engagement with Utah Symphony, additional concert engagements, and a CD recording
• Silver Medal: $25,000 cash award, concerto engagement with Utah Symphony, additional concert engagements, and CD recording
• Bronze Medal: $10,000 cash award
• Two additional finalists receive cash awards
• Sascha Gorodnitzki Foundation Discretionary Prize: $1,000 at jury's discretion to a non-finalist

The 2024 International Artists Competition began with 333 candidates from 40 countries. 120 pianists performed in preliminary rounds held in Hamburg, New York City, Hong Kong, and Salt Lake City.

Junior and Young Artists Competition (held in odd years, for pianists ages 11-18):

• Young Artists Gold Medal: $15,000 cash award
• Young Artists Silver Medal: $10,000 cash award
• Young Artists Bronze Medal: $5,000 cash award
• Two additional finalists receive $3,000 each
• Junior Gold Medal: $10,000 cash award
• Junior Silver Medal: $5,000 cash award
• Junior Bronze Medal: $3,000 cash award
• Two additional finalists receive $2,000 each

The 2026 Junior and Young Artists Competition marks the 50th anniversary of the Bachauer. Over $60,000 in prizes is available. The application deadline for the Young Artist International Competition is December 1.

Real-World Example

A 17-year-old pianist from South Korea would apply by December 1 for the Young Artists Competition. If selected as a competitor, they travel to Salt Lake City in June. They compete over two weeks of performances. If they win the Gold Medal, they receive $15,000 in cash and a commemorative gold medal. They also gain performance exposure that can lead to further concert engagements. A professional pianist winning the International Artists Competition Gold Medal receives $50,000 plus a New York concert engagement and a concerto performance with the Utah Symphony.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a serious pianist, the Bachauer competitions offer some of the largest cash prizes in the piano competition world. The International Artists Competition's $50,000 Gold Medal is among the highest single awards in any piano competition. The Young Artists Competition gives pianists as young as 11 a chance to compete internationally.

Apply early. The December 1 deadline for the Young Artists Competition is firm. Prepare a full competition program. The International Artists Competition requires 60-minute semifinal recitals and a concerto for the final round with the Utah Symphony. The preliminary rounds for the Artists Competition are held in multiple cities worldwide, reducing travel burden for early rounds.

Drawbacks / Things to Consider

The competition is exclusively for pianists. No other instruments are eligible. The International Artists Competition is extremely competitive. In 2024, only 31 of 120 preliminary round pianists advanced to the quarterfinals. Travel to Salt Lake City is required for the main competition rounds. The Young Artists Competition is held every two years (odd years), and the International Artists Competition is held in even years. The application deadline of December 1 for young artists means repertoire must be prepared months in advance. Prize money is taxable income in the United States.

Related Opportunities

• Music Scholarships Directory
• Gilmore Young Artist Award for pianists under 22
• Naumburg Foundation Competitions for various instruments
• National YoungArts Foundation for young artists across disciplines
• Visit Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation to apply