Piano Festival

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About the Festival

Saturday, November 14, 2026
Creative Arts Center
Wright State University

Hosted by Wright State School of Fine and Performing Arts Piano Area, chair Dr. Lina Yoo Min Lee

The Wright State Piano Festival brings together pianists from across the region for a day of music-making, learning, and inspiration.

Highlights include:

  • Solo & duo competitions for Grades 5–12
  • Master classes & collaborative workshops (Sight-reading and Piano Ensemble)
  • Historical Keyboard Demonstration for Grades 1–12
  • Career Pathways Panel for Grades 5–12
  • Student recitals and performances
  • Guest artist performance with Dr. Lina Yoo Min Lee
  • Flexibility: Choose your events—you don’t need to participate in everything
  • Scholarship Opportunity: High school seniors who participate and later enroll at Wright State may be eligible for a piano scholarship

Guests Artists for the Piano Festival are still to be determined.

Registration Information

All events take place in the Music Wing of the Creative Arts Center. 

  • Eligibility: Students with 3+ years of piano experience.
  • Early bird deadline: October 1, 2026 ($40 registration fee)
  • Final deadline: November 1, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT, including online submissions).
    • Registration fee by final deadline: $55 flat (includes all festival events).
  • Meals: Bring a bag lunch or purchase meals on campus at the Student Center.
  • For students participating in both solo and duo, the fee will be $55 per entry (Early bird: $40 per entry).

Observer Registration

Participant Registration

Solo & Duo Competition Information

Divisions

  • Piano Solo (Grades 5–8): up to 7 minutes
  • Piano Solo (Grades 9–12): up to 12 minutes
  • Piano Duo / Duet / Concerto (Grades 5–12)
    • Each player registers individually.
    • Memorization is not required for the duo division.
  • Participation Modes: In person or online

Requirements

  • Solo categories: Perform one memorized piano work.
  • Online participants: Submit a video file or a public YouTube/Vimeo link by November 1, 2026, 11:59 PM EDT, and email the submission to Dr. Lina Lee at lina.lee@wright.edu. The registration fee must also be paid for the entry to be considered. If selected as winners, they should be available to perform in person at the Winners’ Concert at 5:00 p.m. in Schuster Hall at Wright State University.
  • In-person competitors: Provide an original score with numbered measures for the judge.
  • Online competitors: Send a scanned copy of the approved score.

Prizes

Grades 5–8 Solo

  • Winner: $100 cash, trophy, award certificate
  • Alternate: Medal, award certificate

Grades 9–12 Solo

  • Winner: $300 cash, trophy, award certificate
  • Alternate: Medal, award certificate
  • Scholarship:  If winner is a junior or senior, automatic acceptance to WSU Fine & Performing Arts Scholarships (Scholarship amount TBD) for 4 years

Piano Duo

  • Winner: $200 cash for duo, trophy, award certificate
  • Alternate: Medal, award certificate

All competitors will receive professional evaluation, written feedback, and certificates at the award ceremony and winner's event (5 p.m. in Schuster Hall).

What to Bring

  • Original/approved score of repertoire
  • Water bottle
  • Bag lunch (optional

Schedule of Events

Saturday, November 14, 2026

Time Event Grades Notes
8:30 a.m. Registration Opens & Practice Rooms Grades 5–12 Check-in and warm-up
9 a.m.–Noon Student Competition Grades 5–12 Held concurrently in designated performance rooms
9:30–10:15 a.m. Historical Keyboard Demonstration Grades 1–12 Interactive presentation featuring harpsichord, fortepiano, clavichord, and organ
10:25–11:10 a.m. Career Pathways Panel Grades 5–12 Guest artists discuss collaborative piano, opera coaching, church music, teaching, and ensemble work
11:15 a.m.–Noon Sight-Reading & Piano Ensemble I Grades 5–12 Workshop conducted in two separate groups
Noon–12:45 p.m. Sight-Reading & Piano Ensemble II Grades 5–12 Workshop conducted in two separate groups
11 a.m.–Noon
Noon–1 p.m.		 Campus Tours
Session I / Session II		 Grades 1–12 Meet faculty and current students; bring a packed lunch or purchase lunch at The Hangar
1:30–3 p.m. Masterclass with Dr. Lee Grades 5–12 Student performances, coaching, technique, and stylistic versatility
3:15–4:30 p.m. Piano Ensemble / Multi-Keyboard Session Grades 5–12 Collaborative rehearsal and demonstration
5 p.m. Award Ceremony, Winners & Ensemble Recital Grades 5–12 Festival finale in Schuster Hall; open to the public

Schedule subject to change.