Lloyd Piano Competition

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (COP) is proud to announce the inaugural Lloyd Piano Competition to be held on June 25, 2026.

This new biennial competition will award a first prize of $20,000 and the opportunity to perform with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia under the baton of Music Director David Hayes during the 2026-2027 season.

Thanks to the generous support of Thomas Lloyd, the Lloyd Piano Competition will enable COP to discover and celebrate the next generation of exceptional American pianists. Designed as a career-launching platform, the competition will showcase artistry, technical mastery, and musical vision at the highest level. The Lloyd Piano Competition bridges the gap—helping emerging pianists make the leap from conservatory to concert stage.

Eligibility and Application

Submissions open January 1, 2026, for American (or lawful permenant resident) pianists aged 18–26 at the time of the competition who are ready to embark on a professional concert career. Applicants must submit preliminary round videos by February 28, 2026.

A panel of judges will select six finalists to advance to the live round, where each will perform a concerto from the approved repertoire with piano accompaniment. The Gold Medalist will be invited to perform the winning concerto with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia during the 2026-2027 season under David Hayes’s baton.

Prizes

Gold Medal: $20,000 and a performance with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia
Silver Medal: $5,000
Bronze Medal: $1,000

Dates

January 1, 2026 – Submissions Open
February 28, 2026 – Preliminary Video Submission Deadline
June 25, 2026 – Final Round in Rock Hall at Temple University

Repertoire and Details

Preliminary Round | Submission Deadline February 28, 2026

Preliminary Video Round (upload video(s) to Muvac, availabile beginning January 1st, 2026). Program must be a minimum of 30 minutes and shall not exceed 50 minutes. Program to include the following pieces. Video may be paused between pieces.

Prelude & Fugue of J.S. Bach from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1 or 2
Any virtuosic etude by Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, Scriabin, or Rachmaninov
Any work(s) of the applicant’s choice. Concerto accepted with second piano accompaniment or with orchestra.

Application Video Recording Requirements: An unedited recording of the applicant must be uploaded to Muvac as follows:

The recording must be of excellent technical quality and preferably recorded professionally.
The applicant’s face and hands must be clearly visible throughout the recording.
The recording must have been made within 12 months of the submission of the application.
Minimum duration is 30 minutes. Maximum duration is 50 minutes.
The recording must be unedited. Postproduction handling that affects the acoustic quality of the recording (such as bias, equalization, and noise reduction) is permitted, but must be stated.
The recording must be clearly and visibly labeled showing the applicant’s full name and the details of where and when it was made.
You may include recordings from public performances or a recording studio.
Each individual work must be recorded in one unedited take. The works, however, may have been recorded on different dates.
Do not include titles, fade-outs, or video transitions.

Final Concerto Round | June 25, 2026

Final Concerto Round with piano accompaniment (6 Competitors – Temple University, Rock Hall on June 25, 2026) Complete concerto from the following selection to be performed with second piano accompaniment. Piano accompanist will be provided by COP.

Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 15
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op.37
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58
Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73
Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
Chopin – Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21
Field – Piano Concerto No. 3 in E-flat Major
Grieg – Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
Hailstork – Piano Concerto No. 2, “The Peaceable Kingdom”
Kapustin – Piano Concerto, No. 4, Op. 56
Mendelssohn – Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 40
Mozart – Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467
Mozart – Concerto No. 23 in A Major, K.488
Mozart – Concerto No. 27 in B-flat Major, K. 595
Saint-Saens – Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Schumann – Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54
Schnittke – Concerto for Piano and Strings
Weber – Piano concerto No. 1 in C Major, Op. 11
Weber – Piano Concerto No. 2 in E-flat Major, Op. 32

About the Chamber Orchestra

Led by Music Director David Hayes, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia brings a distinct intimacy and immediacy to every performance, offering audiences a closer connection to the music. This season balances Hayes’ historical authenticity with fresh interpretations, making every performance impactful and exciting. Additionally, COP features new works by living composers, perfectly balancing timeless classics with fresh, contemporary voices. The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia’s highlights classical music at its finest—quintessential chamber orchestra repertoire, featuring the music our audiences love to hear. Founded in 1964 by Marc Mostovoy, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia is currently a vibrant artistic force. Celebrated for its exceptional musicianship and spirit of collaboration, the Orchestra is renowned for dynamic, inspiring performances that bring the joy of music to audiences across the region.

Last season, COP welcomed more than 5,000 patrons to its live performances, including its subscription series and the outdoor summer series Orchestra in the Garden, now entering its fifth year. With a deep commitment to accessibility and community engagement, COP presented over 30 concerts and outreach events across the region—many of them sold out—and continues to provide free and low-cost tickets for veterans, students, and underserved communities, with select performances available via livestream.