Assignment

Compose a piano solo piece using Chopin's Waltz (posthumous work) discovered in 2024, by adding, extending, or arranging it. The Waltz (posthumous work) must be used in its entirety at least once in the piece. The location of use is not specified, and it may be used multiple times.

Please refer to the details below and also check the sample piece uploaded below.

Prizes

• Waltz Prize: ¥500,000
• Masterpiece Prize: ¥300,000
• 21st Century Renaissance Prize: ¥300,000
• Digital Chopin Prize (awarded to 3 pieces): ¥100,000 each
• (Prizes are awarded to pieces that can be performed by humans, but the Digital Chopin Prize also includes pieces that are difficult to perform)

Eligibility

No restrictions on age or nationality. Entries using AI and other IT technologies are also accepted.

Entry Fee

¥3,000

The entry fee is payable when your piece is accepted.

Pieces that do not meet the requirements will not be accepted, and no entry fee will be charged for unaccepted pieces.

Once the entry fee is paid, it is non-refundable.

Entry Guidelines

1. Only unpublished pieces composed solely by the entrant and for which the entrant holds exclusive copyright are eligible. Pieces whose copyright has not been entrusted to a copyright management organization are also eligible.

2. Each piece must be between 3 and 8 minutes in length. Up to 3 pieces may be submitted. File size must be under 200MB.

   The entry fee is a flat rate of ¥3,000 regardless of the number of pieces submitted.

   For multiple entries, the entry fee is charged if at least one piece is accepted.

3. The Chopin posthumous Waltz (hereinafter referred to as 'posthumous work') must be used in its complete form at least once
4. The posthumous work may be used anywhere in the piece. When used multiple times, it may be varied

5. Pieces consisting only of repetitions of the posthumous work are not allowed; original composition is required.

   The original parts need not be in the so-called Romantic style as long as they artistically match with the posthumous work

   We seek free and original artistic works.

How to Apply

1. File format: Please upload your composed piece as an audio file after performing it on piano or computer. The file format should be MP3 or WAV. Video files such as MP4 or MOV are not accepted.
2. Please use your real name as the composer. If you wish to use a pen name, please enter both your real name and pen name in the name field of the application form.
3. Sheet music: Uploading sheet music is not mandatory but recommended for reference during judging. Please upload sheet music in PDF format. If a winning piece does not have submitted sheet music, the association will create sheet music for the performance at the award ceremony, which you acknowledge.
4. If your piece is accepted, we will email you the payment method for the entry fee (¥3,000). The acceptance is officially complete after payment confirmation. If your piece is not accepted due to not meeting the requirements, we will notify you by email and no entry fee will be charged. Please note that we cannot provide reasons for non-acceptance.
5. Replacement of submitted pieces is possible during the application period. If you replace pieces, all previous pieces become invalid, so please replace all pieces if you have multiple entries.

Application Period

August 1, 2025 - January 31, 2026

Judging Method

Selection will be made by experts commissioned by our association, including pianists, composers, arrangers, and opera singers. Patrons who provide prize money for each award will also participate in the selection process.

Results Announcement

Results will be announced on this website on February 28, 2026. Winners will be notified by email.

Dedication

The Masterpiece Prize and 21st Century Renaissance Prize pieces are to be dedicated to the patrons who provide the prize money. Dedication does not mean transferring copyright, but rather indicating this dedication in the published sheet music of the piece.

Prize Money Award Method

Winners will be notified by email about the prize money award method at the same time as the results announcement.

Publication

Please note that winning pieces will be published as sheet music by our association. Details will be provided when the winning pieces are determined.

Winning Pieces Concert

A video screening of the award-winning piece will be held at the Meridian Hall in front of Akashi Station on March 20, 2026. (Details to be announced at a later date)

Copyright

Copyright of pieces submitted to this competition belongs to the composers. However, no copyright fees will be charged when winning pieces are performed at the award concert held under the name of this competition or at winning pieces presentations on media such as the internet and cable TV.

Contact

Please send inquiries by email in English or Japanese to: concours@digitalchopin.com

We cannot answer questions regarding acceptance, non-acceptance, or judging results.