MGNS International Music Competition

An International Stage for Young Pianists

A Global Stage for Young Musicians

MGNS is a truly international music competition that spans across East and West, with established competition zones in both China and Europe. It is designed to give young musicians an authentic international stage — one that goes far beyond the familiar confines of local classrooms and practice rooms — and to connect them with world-class mentors, peers from different cultures, and the transformative power of live performance in historic venues.

The China National Finals are held at the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, where the country's most promising young pianists gather to compete and advance. From there, the journey continues to Europe for the Global Finals, hosted in Budapest — a city whose musical heritage runs as deep as any in the world. At every stage, participants benefit from masterclasses, one-on-one coaching with Liszt Academy professors, and the kind of immersive artistic experience that only a cross-continental competition can offer.

Two Musical Capitals

Europe — Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest

Founded in 1875 and originally named the Hungarian Royal National Academy of Music, the Liszt Academy was established with the direct support of Franz Liszt himself, who began teaching there in 1876. After his death in 1886, his personal books and scores were donated to the Academy. Renamed the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in 2000, it remains the only music school in the world founded by Franz Liszt and stands as one of Europe's most prestigious conservatories, having produced countless world-class musicians over its 150-year history.

China — Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing

Located at No. 43 Baojia Street in Beijing's Xicheng District, the Central Conservatory of Music Concert Hall sits within the historic 2nd Ring Road, near Chang'an Avenue. The building spans 3,000 square meters with a total area of 7,413 sqm across three above-ground floors and two underground levels. Its design draws inspiration from musical notes, with curved exterior walls clad in beige stone that lend the structure a solemn, elegant presence. Inside, the auditorium evokes the image of a water droplet creating ripples, featuring multi-curved stepped ceilings and arched carved walls — a fitting stage for China's most talented young pianists.

"The competition concludes, but the passion endures. May all young musicians carry forward the achievements and glory of this competition, guided by the masters' instruction and their own devotion, continuing their journey on the path of music." — MGNS Organizing Committee

Competition Highlights

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2027 — The 10th MGNS China-Hungary International Youth Piano Competition

Co-hosted by the MGNS International Music Competition Organizing Committee and the Global Association of Music Educators (G.A.M.E), the 10th MGNS is a China-Hungary international specialty event within the MGNS competition system dedicated to piano performance, aiming to discover and nurture musically gifted young pianists from China and abroad.

The Budapest competition and its series of events will be held at the Liszt Museum Concert Hall. Set on the historic site of the Old Academy of Music, the hall is where Franz Liszt — the "King of Piano" — lived, taught, and composed in his final years (1881–1886). The piano he once used is still displayed in the hall, and the piano masterclasses Liszt gave here are the very origin of today's masterclass tradition. To perform on Liszt's final musical stage is, for young pianists, a tribute journey through the golden age of the piano art.

Positioned as a "dual bridge of Chinese and Hungarian piano music", the competition both carries forward the Hungarian piano tradition represented by Franz Liszt, Béla Bartók, and Zoltán Kodály, and brings Chinese piano works to the international stage, building a professional platform of competition, performance, exchange, and learning for young piano students that connects East and West.

Upholding the principles of high standards, top quality, and grand scale, and building on ten years of organizing experience since 2018, the 2027 edition fully benchmarks against international authoritative competition standards — a comprehensive leap in quality and credibility. The 10th anniversary is both a summary and a new starting point.

Organizing Bodies (2027 Edition)

Registered in Hong Kong, the Global Association of Music Educators (G.A.M.E) is a non-profit, professional academic association with a presidium of musicians, performers, educators, and artists from many countries. It is committed to building a platform for cultural exchange and shared development, promoting global music cooperation and nurturing the new generation of musical talent.

Piano Group Settings

Professional Category

Repertoire Requirement: Two self-selected works of contrasting styles (total duration not exceeding 20 minutes).

Amateur Category

Repertoire: Self-selected piece.

Four-Hand Duet

ABRSM Category (No age limit)

Special Topic Category (Performance time: 6 min each)

Two-Piano / Concerto Category

No age limit. Free choice of repertoire, within 14 minutes.

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2027 Group Settings

*Group settings of the 10th MGNS (2027). Scroll horizontally inside a table to view all columns.

Professional Category

Amateur Category

Ensemble Category

Repertoire Category

ABRSM Category

Free Choice Category

Meet Our Distinguished Jury

Masterclass Experience

During the classes, participants engage in face-to-face discussions with the masters, delving into core issues such as repertoire challenges, stage presence, and emotional interpretation of performance. The professors provide targeted corrections for each student's technical weaknesses, meticulously analyzing score details and optimizing stage delivery methods — laying a solid foundation for the contestants' stable performance in the official competition. These brief one-on-one sessions are highly efficient and substantive, with every piece of advice striking at the heart of performance, enabling participants to gain fresh performance insights and professional improvement in a short period.

Jury Members

Event Timeline

Post-Competition

After all competition performances conclude, the jury panel and staff immediately commence rigorous score verification and review. Adhering to the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency, all contestants' scores undergo item-by-item verification, cross-checking, and precise calculation, ultimately producing a complete and authoritative official competition results sheet.

The award ceremony is solemn, formal, and full of ceremonial significance. Hungarian competition judges personally present internationally recognized certificates and honor medals to the award-winning participants.

Additional Highlights

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2026 Competition Schedule

2027 Schedule — 10th Edition

Beijing Division Registration

Selection Modes

Regional Division Rules

Divisions are categorized as Mega Cities and Prefecture-Level Cities.

Hosting Guidelines

1. Competitions must follow the principles of fairness, justice, and transparency.
2. Comply with committee arrangements, properly promote preliminary rounds, organize activities, and support regional events.
3. Further communication will take place after regional hosts are confirmed.
4. The organizing committee reserves the right of final interpretation.

Hosting Qualifications

1. Eligible entities: schools, training institutions, associations, and other corporate entities with legal status.
2. Must have valid business license, necessary staff, and fixed venue.
3. Proven experience in event execution, sufficient resources, reputation, and access to student resources.

Hosting Rights

1. Media coverage (TV, newspapers, magazines, online) may include the host's name and logo.
2. Hosts receive a certificate and medal from the MGNS Global Finals Organizing Committee.
3. Hosts may seek sponsors and establish local collaborations.
4. Hosts may select local venues, decide audience capacity and entry formats, and invite media.

Hosting Support

1. Official competition LOGO (digital version).
2. Official competition poster (digital version).
3. On-site training and follow-up support for regional hosts.
4. Digital materials including flyers, posters, registration forms for early promotion.
5. Access to professional jury members and guest artists from the committee.

MGNS Venue Introduction

Central Conservatory of Music Concert Hall, Beijing

Located at No. 43 Baojia Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, within the 2nd Ring Road, near Chang'an Avenue. Covers 3,000 sqm, total area 7,413 sqm, 3 floors above ground, 2 underground. Design inspired by musical notes, curved exterior walls, beige stone for a solemn, elegant look. Auditorium design inspired by a water droplet creating ripples, with multi-curved stepped ceilings and arched carved walls.

Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest

Founded in 1875, originally the Hungarian Royal National Academy of Music, established with the support of Franz Liszt. Liszt began teaching there in 1876. After his death in 1886, his books and scores were donated to the Academy. Renamed Franz Liszt Academy of Music in 2000. The only music school in the world founded by Franz Liszt himself. A prestigious public music university in Budapest, Hungary, producing countless world-class musicians.

About MGNS

In May 2019, MGNS officially partnered with a renowned European youth music competition. The competition adopts the proven experience of the Royal Youth Piano Competition in Europe, with a diversified and multi-format competition model to ensure international standards. Each season, masterclasses are held in various cities across Europe and China, featuring a team of renowned international pianists, educators, and performers — ensuring both high-quality competition and advanced music education.

Registration & Application

How to Register

Step 1: Add WeChat
Scan the QR code or search WeChat ID 13051052224 to add the Manyin Yunshu assistant or local organizing committee.

Step 2: Registration & Payment
After successful WeChat registration, organizing committee staff will contact the registered contestant to sign the finals travel agreement, coordinate European visa processing, flight and hotel bookings, competition schedule arrangements, and other detailed matters.

Application Form

This is a demonstration form. Submitting will show a confirmation message — no data is sent.

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Phone / WeChat

Competition Category Select a category Professional A (10–11 years) Professional B (12–13 years) Professional C (14–15 years) Professional D (16+ years) Amateur — Children Amateur — Junior Amateur — Youth Amateur — University Amateur — Open Four-Hand Duet ABRSM Special Topic Two-Piano / Concerto

Intended Repertoire

Additional Message

Submit Application

Fee Inclusions — Contestant

Fee Inclusions — Accompanying Person

Important Notes

1. The organizer assists with unified visa processing; visa fees are at the participant's own expense.
2. Cancellation due to visa rejection or personal reasons will incur deductions for already-incurred costs such as flights and hotels.
3. Any expenses incurred during free-time activities are at the participant's own cost.
4. The specific itinerary is subject to actual circumstances.
5. The final right of interpretation belongs to the competition organizing committee.

Past Events & Moments

The entire event is professionally filmed and photographed in real time, fully preserving every contestant's stage moment. Young performers confidently showcase their usual practice standards and boldly express their musical interpretations. The significance of competing on the same stage lies not only in rankings, but also in the precious opportunity to exchange and learn with music-loving peers from different countries and broaden professional horizons.

Prizes & Recognition

Prize Money

1. Top 3 in Professional and University categories (score ≥ 93) will receive EUR 600, EUR 400, and EUR 200 respectively.
2. The highest scorer in each Amateur group (score ≥ 93) will receive a EUR 100 prize.
3. The highest scorer in Two-Piano and Concerto categories (score ≥ 93) will receive a EUR 150 prize.

*If fewer than 5 global finalists in any group, the prize money for that group is cancelled.

Award Levels

2026 Finals Results Sheet

"Based on comprehensive performance, the competition rigorously awards First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize across professional tracks, with the highest scorer in piano receiving not only a certificate and trophy but also a EUR 200 bonus. Each weighty honor is high recognition of the contestant's performance, and the best reward for their long-term dedication to practice, diligent study, and pursuit of musical dreams." — Competition Jury

Our Partners & Supporters

This competition received strong support from the Liszt Academy of Music in Hungary. Participants not only had the opportunity to visit, practice, and compete at this top-tier music institution, but also received EU-certified completion certificates and competition certificates issued by the Academy.

The MGNS Music New Horizon European International Music Competition is an established international event that held global finals in Europe regularly prior to 2020. The organizers possess extensive experience in hosting international competitions.

Acknowledgments

Heartfelt gratitude to all Hungarian senior professors and jury members for their professional guidance and fair evaluation, to all staff for their meticulous coordination, unwavering commitment, and seamless cooperation throughout, and sincere thanks to all participating students' parents for their trust and support.

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