JMIPC – How to Apply
Information and Regulations
All information is, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of publication. The RNCM James Mottram International Piano Competition reserves the right to make changes should circumstances dictate.
By submitting an application, you agree to accept the following terms.
1. Competition Dates
1.1. The next RNCM James Mottram International Piano Competition will take place on the following dates:
| April – September 2025 | Applications open |
| September/October 2025 | Pre-selection |
| 23 November 2025 | Arrival in Manchester, piano selection, ballot |
| 24 – 25 November 2025 | Round One |
| 26 November 2025 | Masterclasses |
| 27 November 2025 | Round Two (Semi Final) |
| 28 November 2025 | Masterclasses |
| 29 November 2025 | Final |
2. Eligibility
2.1. Pianists wishing to take part must be under 30 years of age at the time of the RNCM James Mottram Piano Competition (the Competition). Applications will be accepted from those born on or after 24 November 1995. Applications from anyone born prior to 24 November 1995 will not be accepted.
2.2. The Competition is open to competitors of any nationality.
3. Competition Process
3.1. From the Preliminary Round competitors will be selected to perform in Round One. Following the completion of Round One those selected by the Jury will be admitted through to Round Two (the Semi Final). Up to three competitors will be selected to go through to the Final Concerto Round accompanied by orchestra.
3.2. The playing order of competitors will be decided by ballot at 19:30 on Sunday 23 November 2025 in the RNCM’s Concert Hall. All competitors are expected to attend this event. The competition will commence on the morning of Monday 24 November 2025.
3.3. The jury reserves the right to stop any performance that overruns the time limit.
3.4. All competitors must perform from memory
3.5. Repertoire presented in the Preliminary Round can be repeated in either Round One or Round Two. However repertoire presented in Round One cannot be repeated in Round Two.
4. Repertoire Requirements
4.1. Preliminary Round (Video recording)
Competitors must submit video recording(s) of the Preliminary Round requirements:
- ONE Scarlatti Sonata;
- ONE Chopin Etude from either Op 10 or Op 25;
- ONE Debussy Prélude from either Book 1 or Book 2 OR a Debussy Étude
4.2. Round One (RNCM)
A free choice programme* to last not more than 30 minutes in duration, and must include:
- ONE Scarlatti Sonata (own choice)
- ONE work chosen from the following:
- Chopin, one of the 4 Ballades
- Chopin, one of the 4 Scherzos
- Chopin Fantasy in F minor Op 49
- Chopin Barcarolle Op 60
- Chopin Polonaise-Fantasy Op 61
* Remaining programme must not include any works, transcriptions or significantly revised compositions written after 1918, in accordance with James Mottram’s wishes. Please note that the Rachmaninov Piano Sonata No 2 Op 36 revised version (1931) will NOT be accepted for the competition (the 1913 original will be accepted).
4.3. Round Two (Semi Final) (RNCM)
A free choice programme* to last not more than 45 minutes in duration, and must include:
- ONE work chosen from the following:
- Debussy Images Book 1 (complete)
- Debussy Images Book 2 (complete)
- Debussy Pour le piano (complete)
- Debussy Estampes (complete)
* Remaining programme must not include any works, transcriptions or significantly revised compositions written after 1918, in accordance with James Mottram’s wishes. Please note that the Rachmaninov Piano Sonata No 2 Op 36 revised version (1931) will NOT be accepted for the competition (the 1913 original will be accepted).
4.4. Final Concerto Round
ONE concerto must be chosen from the following list:
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No 1 in C major Op 15
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No 2 in B flat major Op 19
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor Op 37
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 in G major Op 58
- Beethoven Piano Concerto No 5 in E flat major Op 73
- Chopin Piano Concerto No 1 in E minor Op 11
- Chopin Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor Op 21
- Grieg Piano Concerto in A minor Op 16
- Liszt Piano Concerto No 1 in E flat major
- Liszt Piano Concerto No 2 in A major
- Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No 1 in G minor Op 25
- Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No 2 in D minor Op 40
- Mozart Piano Concerto No 20 in D minor K 466
- Mozart Piano Concerto No 21 in C major K 467
- Mozart Piano Concerto No 23 in A major K 488
- Mozart Piano Concerto No 24 in C minor K 491
- Mozart Piano Concerto No 27 in B flat major K 595
- Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor Op 54
5. Prizes
5.1. First Prize of £10,000
5.2. Second Prize of £5,000
5.3. Third Prize of £2,500
6. Adjudication
6.1. The Jury members are listed on the James Mottram International Piano Competition main page.
6.2. The Jury’s decision is final and no further discussion or correspondence can be entered into.
7. Accommodation
7.1. Accommodation will be provided free of charge to each competitor whose application is accepted, from Sunday 23 November – Saturday 29 November 2025 inclusive (7 nights).
7.2. Competitors are required to arrive in Manchester on Sunday 23 November 2025 in time for the competition draw at 19:30.
8. Travel
8.1. Competitors are asked to arrange and pay for their own travel to Manchester.
8.2. Participants living outside Europe will be entitled to a 25% travel bursary towards the cost of their flight ticket. These claims will be honoured on arrival in Manchester upon presentation of both a monetary receipt and a flight ticket.
9. Practice
9.1. The RNCM will provide practice facilities throughout the competition, although rehearsal time on the Concert Hall piano will be limited.
10. Visas
10.1. It is the responsibility of the competitor to check whether they require a visa before entering the UK. (You can do so on the British Government website.)
10.2. Participants needing a standard visitor visa to enter the UK should obtain one from the British Government website.
10.3. Invitations to attend the Competition will only be issued subject to acceptance into the Competition.
11. General Conditions
11.1. The Competition reserves the right to broadcast, record and film any part of the competition without the participant claiming fees.
11.2. The Competition welcomes applications from students of the Jury. However, Jury members are not permitted to vote or take part in any discussions relating to their students.
11.3. Students of Jury members may not receive lessons from that Jury member during the Competition.
11.4. The original language of the Information and Regulations document is English. Any discrepancy in interpretation will be resolved on the basis of the English language rules.
11.5. Competitors are responsible for insuring their personal belongings. The RNCM and the Competition do not accept responsibility for any items lost, stolen or damaged whilst in transit or on the premises.
11.6. Competitors who are unsuccessful in passing to the next stage of the competition will be given the opportunity to take part in a public masterclass given by a jury member during their time in Manchester.
12. Applications
12.1. The Application Form, completed in English, must be submitted online via Acceptd. Submissions will open in April 2025.
12.2. Application Forms and supporting documents must be submitted online (closing date TBC).
12.3. All successful applicants will be notified by email (date TBC).
12.4. A non-refundable entrance fee of $150 is required, which is to be paid directly through Acceptd.
12.5. The Application Form must be supported by the following:
- Video recording(s) of the Preliminary Round requirements:
- ONE Scarlatti Sonata;
- ONE Chopin Etude from either Op 10 or Op 25;
- ONE Debussy Prélude from either Book 1 or Book 2 OR a Debussy Étude
- The recording(s) should be clearly marked with the date and place of recording.
- A copy of a birth certificate or passport (photo page only).
- An up-to-date biography, in English, to a maximum of 175 words. The Competition reserves the right to alter the biography should it be required in any publicity material.
- A publicity photo, for publicity purposes.
12.6. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
12.7. Any questions about the application process can be asked directly to Harriet Lane, the competition coordinator ([email protected] | +44 (0)161 9075271).
