Piano Syllabus

NOVICE
A novice is a performer who has not been learning the piano for more than 12 months on 1st January 2027.

P1  7 years & under - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P2  8-9 years - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P3  10-12 years - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P4  13-18 years - Time limit 3 mins [A]

BAROQUE

P5  9 years & under - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P6 10-12 years - Time limit 3 mins [A]
P7  13-15 years - Time limit 5 mins [B]
P8  16-18 years - Time limit 6 mins [C]

CLASSICAL

P9  Pre-grade pieces - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P10  Grade 1 pieces - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P11  Grades 2-3 pieces - Time limit 3 mins [A]
P12  Grades 4-5 pieces - Time limit 4 mins [B]
P13  Grades 6-7 pieces - Time limit 6 mins [C]
P14  Grades 8-8+ pieces - Time limit 8 mins [C]

ROMANTIC

P15  9 years & under - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P16  10-12 years - Time limit 4 mins [B]
P17  13-15 years - Time limit 6 mins [B]
P18  16-18 years - Time limit 8 mins [C]

20th & 21st CENTURY

P19  Pre-grade pieces - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P20  Grade 1 pieces - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P21  Grades 2-3 pieces - Time limit 3 mins [A]
P22  Grades 4-5 pieces - Time limit 4 mins [B]
P23  Grades 6-7 pieces - Time limit 6 mins [B]
P24  Grades 8-8+ pieces - Time limit 8 mins [C]

SWING, JAZZ and BLUES
ABRSM/Trinity / own choice studies. Performances may include some improvisation

P25  7 years & under - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P26  8-9 years - Time limit 2 mins [A]
P27  10-11 years - Time limit 3 mins [A]
P28  12-13 years - Time limit 4 mins [B]
P29  14-15 years - Time limit 5 mins [B]
P30  16-18 years - Time limit 6 mins [C]

FILM MUSIC & MUSIC FROM MUSICALS
Own choice of music from film, TV or musical for piano

P31  12 years and under - Time limit 4 mins [A]
P32  18 years and under - Time limit 5 mins [B]

OWN COMPOSITION

P33  15 years and under. Any one piece. Please state title and time on the entry form [A]
P34  16-18 years. Any one piece. Please state title and time on the entry form [A]

Scores will not be adjudicated but should be submitted prior to the Festival

NON-COMPETITIVE

P35  For adjudication only. An opportunity for you to play any one piece of your own choice [A]

SONATA and SONATINA

P40 10 years and under Any ONE movement of a sonata or sonatina [A]
P41 11-13 years Any ONE movement of a sonata or sonatina [A]
P42 14-16 years TWO contrasting movements of a sonata or sonatina [C]
P43 17-18 years A complete THREE movement work (N.B. special fee for this class) [D]

PIANO PLUS

An opportunity to show your versatility as an instrumentalist. Perform one piece on the piano and another on any other instrument (eg. recorder, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet, voice, etc) with or without an accompaniment. Own choice, any age under 18. Please state the second instrument, the titles, composers and the total time of the chosen music on the entry form.

P44 10 years and under Time limit 8 mins [B]
P45 16 years and under Time limit 8 mins [B]
P46 18 years and under Time limit 8 mins [B]

ACCOMPANIMENT

An opportunity to display your skills as an accompanist.
Prepared accompaniment – FREE when you enter ONE other class.
Bring a friend or relative with an instrument (eg. recorder, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet, singer) and play ONE prepared piece.

P47  16 years & under - Time limit 5 mins [B]
P48  18 years & under - Time limit 5 mins [B]

RECITAL

A group of contrasting pieces. N.B. Performers will be assessed on their choice of programme, dress and presentation as well as their performance and are encouraged to play one piece from memory. They should introduce their programme to the audience. Introductions are included in the time limit. Please note: Music chosen should be appropriate to grades specified.

P49  Grades 3-5 - Time limit between 5 and 8 mins [B]
P50  Grades 6-7 - Time limit between 6 and 10 mins [C]
P51  Grade 8 & Diploma - Time limit between 10 and 15 mins [D]

SIGHT READING

Music to be chosen by the adjudicator
Entrants may take part in only ONE of these classes.

P52 Pre-grade FREE if entering ONE other class (A)
P53 Grade 1-2 FREE if entering ONE other class (A)
P54 Grades 3-5 FREE if entering TWO other classes (A)
P55 Grades 6-8+ FREE if entering TWO other classes (A)

SIGHT READING DUET for fun

Music to be chosen by the adjudicator
Entrants may take part in only ONE of these classes.

P56 Grades 1-2 FREE if entering ONE other class (A)
P57 Grades 3-4 FREE if entering TWO other classes (A)
P58 Grades 5-6 FREE if entering TWO other classes (A)

DUET CLASSES

P59 9 years & under Time limit 2 mins [A]
P60 12 years & under Time limit 3 mins [A]
P61 15 years & under Time limit 5 mins [B]
P62 18 years & under Time limit 6 mins [B]
P63 9 years & under with adult or teacher Time limit 2 mins [A] (Only the younger player will be adjudicated.)
P64 10-12 years with adult or teacher Time limit 3 mins [A] (Only the younger player will be adjudicated.)
P65 13-15 years with adult or teacher Time limit 5 mins [B] (Only the younger player will be adjudicated.)
P66 16-18 years with adult or teacher Time limit 6 mins [C] (Both players will be adjudicated.)

FAMILY AND FRIENDS ENSEMBLE

These classes are open to any age but performers must be members of the same family or friends.

P67  Duet - Time limit 5 mins [B]
P68  Trio - Time limit 5 mins [B]

ENSEMBLE

A group of three or more players, any combination of orchestral/school instruments TO INCLUDE A PIANIST
(e.g. string trio, wind players etc.)
More than one piece is permitted if whole performance is within time limit including breaks between pieces. Performances may include any style or mix of styles including classical, jazz, folk, world, rock and pop.

P69 for a group aged 11 years & under - Time limit 2 to 5 mins [B]
P70 for a group aged 18 years & under - Time limit 3 to 8 mins [C]

Note that the Senior Citizen classes are for those aged 60 and over

N.B. Please note that amateur status applies to entrants without musical qualifications, and who do not work as a performer or teacher in a professional (paid) capacity.

P71 Performance Novice Own choice of one or more pieces Time limit 2 to 4 min [A]
Performance Novice: learning for any number of years but never performed in public.
P72 Novice Own choice of one or more pieces Time limit 2 to 4 min [A]
A novice is a performer who has not been learning the piano for more than 12 months on 1st January 2027.
P73 Amateur: Grades 1-5 Own choice of one or more pieces Time limit 2 to 5 mins [B]
P74 Amateur: Grades 6-8 Own choice of one or more pieces Time limit 10 mins [C]
P75 Senior Citizen Any one piece written before 1900 Time limit 10 mins [C]
P76 Senior Citizen Any one piece written after 1900 Time limit 10 mins [C]
P77 Sonata Class 1 – Open Any complete sonata written between 1750 and 1950
(Please state exact time on the entry form) (N.B. special fee for this class) [F]
P78 Sonata Class 2 – Open Any one movement of a sonata Time limit 10 mins [D]
P79 Baroque Class – Open Any one piece Time limit 10 mins [D]
P80 Romantic and Impressionist – Open Any one piece Time limit 10 mins [D]
P81 20th & 21st Century - Open Any piece written after 1920 Time limit 10 mins [D]
P82 Swing, Jazz and Blues – Open Own choice of one or more pieces Time limit 10 mins [D]

RECITAL

Performers will be assessed on their choice of programme, dress and presentation as well as their performance and are encouraged to play one piece from memory. They should introduce their programme to the audience. Note: introductions are included in the time limit.

P83  Amateur: A group of contrasting pieces (no Sonata movements) - Time limit 15 to 20 mins [F]
P84  Open: A group of contrasting pieces (no Sonata movements) - Time limit 15 to 20 mins [F]

SIGHT READING

Music to be chosen by the adjudicator. Entrants may take part in ONE of these classes.

P85  Amateur [A]
P86  Open [A]

SIGHT READING DUET for fun

Music to be chosen by the adjudicator

P87  Duet [A]

OWN COMPOSITION

P88 Open Any one piece. Please state title and time on the entry form. [C]
Scores will not be adjudicated but should be submitted prior to the Festival

PREPARED ACCOMPANIMENT

An opportunity to have your accompaniment skills adjudicated. Bring a friend or relative with an instrument (eg. recorder, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet, singer, etc) and play ONE prepared piece. Own choice. Please state title, composer and the time of the chosen music on the entry form.

P89  Open: Time limit 8 mins [C]

PIANO PLUS

An opportunity to demonstrate your skills as an instrumentalist. Perform one piece on the piano and another on any other instrument (eg. recorder, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, trumpet or voice) with or without an accompaniment. Own choice. Please state the second instrument, the titles, composers and the total time of the chosen music on the entry form.

P90  Amateur: Time limit 10 mins [C]
P91  Open: Time limit 10 mins [C]

FILM MUSIC

Own choice of music from film, TV or musical for piano.

P92  Amateur: Time limit 5 mins [B]
P93  Open: Time limit 8 mins [C]

DUET CLASSES

P94  Amateur: Time limit 4 to 8 mins [C]
P95  Open: Time limit 4 to 10 mins [D]
P96  Senior Citizen: Time limit 4 to 10 mins [D]

ENSEMBLE

A group of three or more players, any combination of orchestral/school instruments TO INCLUDE A PIANIST
(e.g. string trio, wind players etc.)
More than one piece is permitted if whole performance is within time limit including breaks between pieces. Performances may include any style or mix of styles including classical, jazz, folk, world, rock and pop.

P97 Open Time limit 3 to 10 mins [E]

Adjudicator: Belinda Mikhail BMus(Hons),PgDipRCM,ARCM,EMT

Venue: Menuhin Room, Portsmouth Library

Dates: 15th-17th February 2027

Closing date for entries: 16th November 2026

Please send entries/titles to: PFPA, 23 Kipling Road, Portsmouth PO2 9NH.

Joint Heads of Section – Meg Hamilton BMusHons/PgDip
& Mariana Tapp BA HonsMusic

Belinda Mikhaïl was awarded the Associated Board and the Queen Mother Scholarships to study piano and singing as a joint first study at the Royal College of Music where she won the Hopkinson Gold Medal for her final recital. She has travelled extensively performing both as a soloist and as a chamber musician and has appeared as a concerto soloist at the major London Concert Halls.

She has made numerous recordings for Sony BMG and Universal and is a vocal soloist on EMI's Vocalise album as used in trailers for ER, Lost and Grey’s Anatomy. She appears as the featured soloist on many film soundtracks and her solo piano playing of the theme from Chariots of Fire was heard at every medal ceremony at the London Olympic Games.

Belinda is also in demand as a vocal coach for classical, musical theatre, pop and rock singers and runs an extensive private teaching practice. She has trained performers as diverse as Siouxsie Sioux, Jennifer Ellison, Jack Garrett, Cathy Tyson, the Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche, as well as the world-renowned dancer Akram Khan. Her students are enjoying major roles in theatre companies up and down the country as well as West End Shows such as Anything Goes, Chicago, Dreamgirls, Haddestown, Dirty Dancing, Book of Mormon and High School Musical, and the hit TV series’, Bridgerton, Downton Abbey and Broadchurch.

Belinda’s work as an adjudicator has seen her travel extensively; she was invited to Trinidad and Tobago where she adjudicated their month-long biennial Music Festival and future trips will see her travel to both Sri Lanka and Hong Kong. She thoroughly enjoys listening to a wide variety of music and meeting a wealth of musicians as she travels in her role as an adjudicator.

Prizes

The Clifford Benson Piano Prize (Under 14 & Under 21) will be awarded for outstanding musicianship and communication

The Zurich Insurance Piano Cup will be awarded for the best performance, 18 years and under

The Margaret Jewell Memorial Trophy will be presented to the most promising solo pianist in the Young Pianists’ section

Note: When deciding on your music, you might like to remember some anniversaries which may inspire your choices:

200th Anniversary of the death of Beethoven and 90th Anniversary of the death of Ravel