North London Festival of Music, Speech & Drama

Emanuel Trophy Piano Competition

The Emanuel Trophy Piano Competition is the Festival’s top piano competition and is one of the most prestigious competitions within the festival movement. It was founded in 1985 by Emanuel Cedar (1916-2000). “Manny” entered North London Music Festival piano competitions as a young pianist, became a Festival Council Member in 1960 and Festival Chairman in 1975. The competition continues to be sponsored by Manny’s family.

The competition is open to the winner of the top senior piano award at any UK Music Festival. Entries will only be accepted if submitted via secretaries of the Festival represented. If the top prize-winner has already been entered to represent another Festival then the Secretary should, if possible, enter the next best pianist.
Note that there are special instructions for making entries laid out below.

This competition is for a Challenge Trophy and a cash prize of £750.

When and where

The Emanuel Trophy Piano Competition will be held at the Hampstead Garden Suburb Free Church, Central Square, London NW11 7AG. Travel details on the venues page.

Date
2025		Start timeClassDescriptionTime Limit
(minutes)		Fee
(£)		Closing date
26 Apr13:00100Emanuel Trophy Piano Competition156003 Mar 25

Adjudicator

Professor Frank Wibaut

Rules of Entry

  1. The 2025 competition is open to the winner of the top senior piano award at any Music Festival held between 1 January and 31 December 2024.
  2. The contestant must have received a mark of 88 or more or be in the Outstanding Category if the “Category System” is used. They can be of any age but are expected to be of at least Grade 8 standard.
  3. Entries will only be accepted if submitted through the Secretary, or Section Secretary, of the Festival concerned.
  4. If the top prize-winner has already been entered to represent another Festival then the Secretary should, if possible, enter the next best pianist.
  5. Only one contestant from each nominating Festival will be eligible.
  6. Entries must be received by Monday 3 March 2025.
  7. Competitors are reminded to wear dress appropriate for a performance.
  8. Candidates must provide the Adjudicator with a clean copy of the music for each work to be performed.
  9. Two contrasting pieces are to be played, and the performance must last no longer than 15 minutes and not less than 10 minutes. One of the pieces may include more than one movement. Competitors not conforming to these limits will be disqualified.
  10. Playing from memory is not essential.
  11. The Grand Piano chosen and hired by the Festival for these performances is supplied and maintained by Steinway & Sons, London
  12. The Adjudicator’s decision will be final.
  13. This competition is for a Challenge Trophy and a cash prize of £750.
  14. If there are four contestants or more, the Trophy will be awarded to the winner to be retained for one year.
  15. If there are six contestants or more, there will be a further cash prize of £250 to the runner-up.
  16. All television, radio and recording rights are reserved by the organiser of this competition – the organisers being the Executive Committee of the North London Festival of Music, Speech & Drama.

Entering the competition

  • Entries will only be accepted if submitted by the Secretary, or Section Secretary, of the relevant Festival represented.
  • If the top prize-winner has already been entered to represent another Festival then the Secretary should, if possible, enter the next best pianist.
  • Nominations for the Emanuel Trophy should be sent to Janice Twiselton by post or email (janicetwist@talktalk.net).
  • Entries cannot be made via the play&perform platform like the other classes in the Festival.

Questions

Any questions you have should be directed to the Administrator of the Piano Section, Janice Twistleton email: janicetwist@talktalk.net telephone: 0208 886 7237 or 07904293142