Submission Deadline: 31 July

2026夏季蕭邦挑戰賽

The Chopin Challenge: Summer 2026

“Every difficulty slurred over will be a ghost to disturb your repose later on.”

— Frédéric Chopin

About the Chopin Challenge

We started the Chopin Challenge not as a trophy hunt, but as a genuine invitation to explore Chopin’s music beyond the pressure of exams. Here, you are free to learn a new piece, to discover a lesser-known nocturne, or to refine a beloved étude – simply for the love of his music.

Each participant will receive written feedback from our faculty, offering constructive comments to help you grow. You will also receive a digital certificate, but more importantly, a record of your courage and effort that you can look back on and cherish for the rest of your musical journey.

Prize-winners may be invited to perform at our annual prize‑winners’ concert and receive discounts on our events and courses.

Play Chopin for yourself. Play beautifully.

挑戰賽項目 | The Challenges:

  • Gold Category: Études

    Any one Étude from Op. 10 or Op. 25.

    Fee: HK$350

    The Gold Category rotates each season. Challenges may include Études, Ballades, Scherzos, Sonatas, Fantaisie, Barcarolle, or Polonaises. Check back next season for the next challenge!

  • Silver Category: Mazurkas

    Any one Mazurka of your choice.

    Fee: HK$300

    The Silver Category rotates each season. Challenges may include Nocturnes, Mazurkas, Preludes, Waltzes, or Impromptus. Check back next season for the next challenge!

  • Bronze Category: Free Choice

    Any single Chopin piano solo piece.

    Fee: HK$250

    The Bronze Category has no rotation. Any single Chopin piano solo piece, maximum 15 minutes, every season. Your choice. You play, we listen.

Competition Rules & Guidelines

Official Language

1. English is the official language of the competition. All correspondence and feedback will be in English.

Submission Rules

2. Open to Hong Kong residents only.

3. No age limit.

4. One entry per challenge allowed. However, you may enter multiple challenges (e.g. Gold + Silver).

5. Videos must be made specifically for this competition (not old recordings).

6. Participants may not submit the same piece they have played in a previous edition of the Chopin Challenge. Each entry must feature a different Chopin work.

7. Late submissions will not be accepted and may be disqualified without refund.

8. Obscene, profane, or otherwise inappropriate content will lead to immediate disqualification without refund.

9. Salon Chopin may contact you to request permission to use excerpts for promotional purposes.

10. The adjudicator’s decision is final.

Video Requirements

11. The video must be recorded within three months of the submission deadline.

12. The video must be of one unedited, continuous take.

13. At the start of the video, hold your valid photo ID (e.g., HKID or passport) close to the camera for at least 5 seconds. Your face must be clearly visible.

14. You may state your name and the piece title before playing. This is optional but recommended – we would love to meet the person behind the music.

15. Your face, upper body, hands, and pedals must be clearly visible throughout.

16. Submit an unlisted YouTube link or a Google Drive shareable link. We do not accept direct file uploads.

Technical Specifications

17. Video resolution: minimum 720p.

18. Standard video formats (MP4, MOV, etc.) are acceptable as long as YouTube or Google Drive can process them.

Fees & Payment

19. Entry fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable.

20. Pay via FPS (Faster Payment System) with no processing fee.

21. Failure to complete payment before the submission deadline will result in disqualification.

Awards & Feedback

22. Each participant receives a digital certificate and written feedback.

Disqualification

23. Failure to comply with any of the above rules may result in disqualification without a refund.

Submit Your Video

Before you submit your entry, please ensure that your video link is viewable (unlisted, no password), that you have followed all Video Requirements, and that you have made your payment via FPS. A quick check now saves disappointment later. We look forward to hearing your Chopin.

How to Pay via FPS:

Name: SALON CHOPIN

FPS ID: 127642007

Message: Your Name and Your Category