36th Hyogo Prefectural Student Piano Competition: Call for Participants for Preliminary Rounds (July-August) and Finals (September)

The Kobe Shimbun (headquartered in Kobe City) and the Kobe Shimbun Cultural Foundation are jointly organizing the 36th Hyogo Prefectural Student Piano Competition. The competition aims to promote music culture, discover musical talent, and disseminate excellent music. Participants are currently being recruited. This competition is open to elementary, junior high, and high school students residing or studying in Hyogo Prefecture. It has been a long-standing platform for students to showcase their daily practice achievements and is recognized as the largest piano competition in the prefecture, having produced many pianists active both within and outside the prefecture. This 36th event marks the final installment of the competition. The preliminary rounds will be held from July 30 to August 6, 2026, at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall and Acrie Himeji Medium Hall. Gold medalists from Division B (3rd and 4th-grade elementary students) and above will advance to the finals on September 26, 2026, at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall. Participation fees range from 11,000 JPY to 15,000 JPY depending on the division. The event is sponsored by Hyogo Prefecture, Hyogo Prefectural Board of Education, Hyogo Prefectural Arts and Culture Association, Sun Television, Radio Kansai, and Yamaha Music Japan, with cooperation from Minato Bank Cultural Promotion Foundation and major Yamaha Music Japan authorized instrument stores in Hyogo Prefecture.