Prize Packages: From $100,000 First Prize to Admittance to the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland

This February, 26 brilliant young American pianists from across the country will compete at the 10th National Chopin Piano Competition. While the competition for the top prize will be intense, it is thanks to generous sponsors that the Competition can offer generous prizes to the other finalists as well.

The stakes will be high: in addition to a total of $179,000 in cash awards, the top two winners of the National Chopin Piano Competition will automatically be accepted to compete in the 2020 International Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland in October. The International Chopin Competition is incredibly sought after — this year, a record number of over 500 applications were submitted.

In addition to the generous $100,000 top prize, the highest award offered by any piano competition in the United States, the first prize winner is also sent on an extensive concert tour throughout the country and abroad, which is arranged by the Chopin Foundation. Further, the first prize winner receives an exclusive studio recording on the Steinway & Sons record label. This generous first prize award package is underwritten by Lady Blanka A. Rosenstiel and the Rosenstiel Foundation, Steinway & Sons and over 2 dozen presenters nationwide.

Second prize, underwritten by Brenda Bruce Fountain, is a $30,000 cash award, and the third prize is $20,000 underwritten by the Chopin Foundation Board of Directors. The remaining three finalists each receive a $5,000 prize thanks to the generosity of Anne E. Leibowitz Fund (fourth prize), Gray & Sons Jewelers (fifth prize), and VS Miami Properties Group and Vivianne Swietelsky (sixth prize).

The travel expenses to compete in the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw are included in the six finalists’ award package by Isabel Leibowitz in memory of her husband, Marvin Leibowitz. Isabel contributes countless hours to support the Chopin Foundation and other local organizations including the Miami Salon Group. 

In addition to the finalist prizes, the Competition is thrilled to offer special prizes, $2,000 each, for Best Mazurka, Best Polonaise, Best Sonata, and Best Concerto. These prizes are courtesy of the Hon. Bruce S. Mencher and the Chopin Foundation, Polish Cultural Institute New York, Gray & Sons Jewelers, and an Anonymous Donor, respectively. 

Semifinalists who do not advance to the finals will receive $1,000 each, underwritten by Sasha Gorodnitzki Foundation. 

All of these prizes underscore the Chopin Foundation’s core mission to boost the careers of young American pianists. Thank you to all of the generous sponsors of these prizes who play a critical role in bringing the top talent from across the country to Miami for this special event. 

View all of the competition events. Remember that all of the rounds will be live-streamed at chopin.org.