Oclef Contemporary Music Festival
Play Today
Celebrating Music of Our Time
tomorrow’s pianists,
Play Today.
At Oclef, we recognize the invaluable experience and musical growth that comes from performing with an ensemble. The opportunity to play with a Chamber Orchestra can be rare for young pianists, yet it builds essential skills such as a stronger sense of pulse, internal rhythm, listening, and teamwork.
This year, we are thrilled to offer talented young pianists the chance to rehearse with a Chamber Orchestra, work closely with a conductor, and perform live at the Oclef Contemporary Piano Festival in San Jose.
Sign up from March 1
Sign up from March 1
Expansive Repertoire: Choose from a diverse range of contemporary works—including Heroes (Vols. 1 & 2), Immortals (Vols. 1 & 2), Fantasy Etudes (Nos. 1–12), plus newly arranged Classical Covers for piano and orchestra. Each piece blends modern musical ideas with timeless artistry, offering fresh challenges and creative inspiration for every level of pianist.
Skill Development: Every composition is thoughtfully designed to strengthen technique, spark creativity, and encourage expressive playing. Students will expand their dynamic control, articulation, and interpretive skills—all while exploring new sound worlds.
Performance Opportunity: Selected pianists will perform with the Oclef Chamber Orchestra, while others will be invited to perform solo in our Honors Recital and meet the composer.
To participate, young pianists should submit a video performance of their chosen piece(s). Our panel at Oclef will carefully select winners for the chamber orchestra performance.
Festival Highlights
Increase Your Chances
Pianists may submit multiple pieces to improve their chances of being selected to perform with the orchestra
We invite you to join us in this musical quest, offering your students a unique and enriching experience that combines performance, learning, and creativity. Help your students embark on this extraordinary journey at the Oclef Contemporary Piano Festival.
Listen to the Repertoire
Heroes: For Piano
and chamber ORchestra
Fantasy Etudes: For Piano
and chamber ORchestra
Rules
Eligibility:
The competition is open to all pianists aged 8 to 17. The pianist's age is determined as of the application submission date. Oclef reserves the right to request written proof of age from the participant's parent or guardian.
Exclusions:
This competition is not open to employees, owners, editors, and authors of Oclef or their relatives. Additionally, relatives and students of the jurors are ineligible to participate. There is no right of appeal regarding these exclusions.
Repertoire:
Participants must select their pieces from the "Heroes and Fantasies" collection. The repertoire consists of 24 pieces: 12 featuring historical icons and 12 Fantasy-Etudes. Access to the music can be downloaded here
Repertoire - Oclef Contemporary Music Festival 2025 Spring
Heroes with Piano and Chamber Orchestra
The selected pieces for this year's competition are composed by Ludwig Treviranus an Matthew Bell which are tagged in the description.
Recording Requirements:
Pianists are required to submit a video recording of their performance of the chosen piece(s). If a participant selects multiple pieces, all performances should be recorded in a single video submission.
Publication:
The first round of Oclef Contemporary Piano Festival solely takes place in the form of video entries that are posted at www.youtube.com. Other entries or entries on other media are not permitted.
Entry Fee & Deadlines
Sign up opens on March 1, 2025. Students may submit up to 4 compositions, with each composition counted as a separate “entry.”
Early Decision: $120 per entry.
Standard Decision: $150 per entry.
Prizes
Selected winners will perform live with the Oclef Chamber Orchestra at 8VA Hall in Almaden, San Jose.
Submission Deadline
The completed online enrollment form must be received by 11:59 PM (PT) on April 15, 2024.
All recordings must be submitted by 11:59 PM (PT) on April 15, 2025.
Winners Round (Performance with Orchestra)
Sunday, April 27, 2024 at 8VA Hall, Almaden, San Jose
Questions?
Julian@Oclef.com
We look forward to your participation and can’t wait to hear your performances!
Sign up today
Join us in celebrating of the music of our time