Burgmuller Competition: Supporting both "Can't play yet" and "Want to play more." Tripling participants in the "Burgmuller for Two" division to offer more children a chance to perform on stage.
Toon Kikaku Co., Ltd. will refresh the repertoire for the "Burgmuller for Two" division of the Burgmuller Competition, aiming to triple participants to 300 pairs (600 individuals) and spread the joy of music.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 22:23
Our company endorses April Dream, a project aiming to make April 1st a day for companies to announce their dreams. This press release represents the dream of Toon Kikaku Co., Ltd. and the Burgmuller Competition Executive Committee.
Toon Kikaku Co., Ltd. and the Burgmuller Executive Committee (CEO/Chairman Naruyasu Fukuda) have been holding the Burgmuller Competition since 2015, with its 12th edition approaching in the autumn of 2026.
This competition, boasting approximately 19,000 participants nationwide, established the "Burgmuller for Two" division in the 2025 fiscal year, allowing over 100 pairs to enjoy performing.
From the 2026 fiscal year, we will completely renew the repertoire for this division. Even aspiring melodies that one cannot yet play alone can be embraced with the support of another, allowing participants to dive into their beautiful sounds. By playing together, we aim to provide an opportunity to become familiar with Burgmuller's melodies and to expand participation in this division to approximately 300 pairs, tripling the current number. Our goal is to deliver warm dialogue through piano and the joy of music throughout Japan.
* **What is the Burgmuller Competition?**
Burgmuller's etudes are commonly used when one begins learning piano, typically after completing beginner textbooks. This competition centers around these Burgmuller etudes as its repertoire.
It is a competition designed to be a goal for all beginner piano learners, from young children making their first stage challenge, to junior and senior high school students busy with studies, club activities, or other non-piano pursuits, or even adults who have resumed playing piano after a long break.
* **Burgmuller for Two Division ~ Aiming for 600 participants! 300 unique stories unfolding on stage.**
This division, first held last year, allows children who find it difficult to play Burgmuller alone to perform on stage through duets with teachers, parents, or siblings. They can experience the "joy of sharing music" while enjoying Burgmuller's works. Furthermore, for children who have become able to play Burgmuller's easier pieces, this stage also serves as a preparatory step before advancing to more complex works, allowing them to explore later pieces from the 25 Etudes, such as "La Chevaleresque," through duets.
Supporting both "first steps" and "next challenges," this division will refresh its repertoire for the 2026 fiscal year.
Our dream is to increase the number of participants in the "Burgmuller for Two" division to 600 individuals (300 pairs) through this new repertoire.
Behind the number 600 are 300 unique stories. Parents and children laughing together while practicing at home, siblings or friends learning the importance of listening to each other's sounds. We aim to see 600 "best smiles" bloom as such pairs stand on stages nationwide, sharing their tension and looking at each other after finishing their performance, conveying the joy found through music.
* **2026 Repertoire Announced Today! Participation Guidelines to be announced on May 15th (Friday).**
The repertoire for the Burgmuller Competition 2026 was released on April 1st (Wednesday) at 13:00. Participation guidelines will be announced on May 15th (Friday), and applications are scheduled to open in July. We look forward to participation from many people of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors, in the 2026 fiscal year.
《Burgmuller Competition 2026 Repertoire》https://www.burgmuller.org/p/repertoires.html
* **Burgmuller Competition Overview**
■ Organizer: Burgmuller Competition Executive Committee
■ Operator: Toon Kikaku Co., Ltd.
■ Administrator: Each regional competition secretariat
■ Endorsed by: The Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan (PTNA)
■ Regional Competitions
- Period: Annually from September to November (tentative)
- Organizer: Each regional competition secretariat
■ Finals
- Period: Annually from November to December (tentative)
- Organizer: Each competition executive committee
* **Participation in April Dream**
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their future dreams on April 1st. We are seriously committed to realizing this dream.
Toon Kikaku Co., Ltd. and the Burgmuller Executive Committee (CEO/Chairman Naruyasu Fukuda) have been holding the Burgmuller Competition since 2015, with its 12th edition approaching in the autumn of 2026.
This competition, boasting approximately 19,000 participants nationwide, established the "Burgmuller for Two" division in the 2025 fiscal year, allowing over 100 pairs to enjoy performing.
From the 2026 fiscal year, we will completely renew the repertoire for this division. Even aspiring melodies that one cannot yet play alone can be embraced with the support of another, allowing participants to dive into their beautiful sounds. By playing together, we aim to provide an opportunity to become familiar with Burgmuller's melodies and to expand participation in this division to approximately 300 pairs, tripling the current number. Our goal is to deliver warm dialogue through piano and the joy of music throughout Japan.
* **What is the Burgmuller Competition?**
Burgmuller's etudes are commonly used when one begins learning piano, typically after completing beginner textbooks. This competition centers around these Burgmuller etudes as its repertoire.
It is a competition designed to be a goal for all beginner piano learners, from young children making their first stage challenge, to junior and senior high school students busy with studies, club activities, or other non-piano pursuits, or even adults who have resumed playing piano after a long break.
* **Burgmuller for Two Division ~ Aiming for 600 participants! 300 unique stories unfolding on stage.**
This division, first held last year, allows children who find it difficult to play Burgmuller alone to perform on stage through duets with teachers, parents, or siblings. They can experience the "joy of sharing music" while enjoying Burgmuller's works. Furthermore, for children who have become able to play Burgmuller's easier pieces, this stage also serves as a preparatory step before advancing to more complex works, allowing them to explore later pieces from the 25 Etudes, such as "La Chevaleresque," through duets.
Supporting both "first steps" and "next challenges," this division will refresh its repertoire for the 2026 fiscal year.
Our dream is to increase the number of participants in the "Burgmuller for Two" division to 600 individuals (300 pairs) through this new repertoire.
Behind the number 600 are 300 unique stories. Parents and children laughing together while practicing at home, siblings or friends learning the importance of listening to each other's sounds. We aim to see 600 "best smiles" bloom as such pairs stand on stages nationwide, sharing their tension and looking at each other after finishing their performance, conveying the joy found through music.
* **2026 Repertoire Announced Today! Participation Guidelines to be announced on May 15th (Friday).**
The repertoire for the Burgmuller Competition 2026 was released on April 1st (Wednesday) at 13:00. Participation guidelines will be announced on May 15th (Friday), and applications are scheduled to open in July. We look forward to participation from many people of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors, in the 2026 fiscal year.
《Burgmuller Competition 2026 Repertoire》https://www.burgmuller.org/p/repertoires.html
* **Burgmuller Competition Overview**
■ Organizer: Burgmuller Competition Executive Committee
■ Operator: Toon Kikaku Co., Ltd.
■ Administrator: Each regional competition secretariat
■ Endorsed by: The Piano Teachers' National Association of Japan (PTNA)
■ Regional Competitions
- Period: Annually from September to November (tentative)
- Organizer: Each regional competition secretariat
■ Finals
- Period: Annually from November to December (tentative)
- Organizer: Each competition executive committee
* **Participation in April Dream**
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their future dreams on April 1st. We are seriously committed to realizing this dream.
FAQ
What is the "Burgmuller for Two" division?
Children unable to play solo perform duets with teachers/parents/siblings, sharing musical joy.
What are the changes for the "Burgmuller for Two" division in 2026?
The repertoire will be completely renewed, aiming to triple participants to 300 pairs (600 individuals).
Who is the Burgmuller Competition for?
It's for beginners, busy students, and adults resuming piano, offering a goal for a wide range of learners.