Each autumn, as entries open for the Hong Kong Schools Music Festival, parents and students start planning for the piano classes: how to enter, how to choose repertoire, what to prepare? The festival is one of the most widely joined music competitions for local students — a rare experience of the stage and an opportunity for musical growth. This article covers the entry essentials, repertoire thinking and preparation direction for the piano classes, to help parents and students approach it better prepared. (The regulations, classes and dates vary slightly each year — always follow the official announcements of the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association.)
Entry Essentials: Check Eligibility First
The festival is run by the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association (HKSMSA). Entrants are generally required to be student members of the Association; entries have a closing date, and membership applications also take time to approve — so it pays to prepare early and not miss the deadline.
The piano classes are divided in different ways, usually by age, level or repertoire type, and can be checked in the official syllabus. Choosing the right class is the first step of preparation; if in doubt, look into it together with the teacher.
Repertoire: Play to Strengths, Show Character
Repertoire choice is a key step. Suitable pieces should be chosen to the student's level, temperament and musical style, letting them play to their strengths and show their character — rather than always picking popular or highly difficult pieces.
When repertoire matches the student, they engage more and play with more assurance, and the performance is more moving. If you'd like to plan a suitable competition direction for your child, a one-to-one piano consultation can help work it out together.
Preparation: Not Just Fluent — Interpretation and Stage
A competition differs from an exam: it places more weight on personal interpretation, stage presence and overall artistic impact, encouraging expression with individual character. So preparation cannot stop at “playing the piece fluently” — on a foundation of understanding the music, a student needs to shape their own musical expression.
Being familiar with the flow and mindset of the stage matters just as much. Mock performances let a student get used to the stage beforehand, easing the unfamiliarity on the day and turning nerves into focus.
Recorded and Live: Note the Technical Specs
In recent years some classes accept video entries. For piano, the official guidance generally requires the camera to clearly show the entrant's face (side view acceptable), both hands, the full keyboard and the pedals.
Whether recorded or live, becoming familiar with the specs and flow beforehand helps a student focus on the playing itself. The detailed technical requirements should follow the latest official regulations.
In Closing
The value of the festival is far more than a placing. Placings are affected by many factors, including the day's form and the adjudicators' preferences, and are not the only goal; more precious than an award is the musical growth and stage experience a student gathers through preparing and performing. May every student who takes part present their best on stage.
Further Reading
Piano Competition & Music Festival Preparation
On the Difference Between Piano Exams and Piano Performance Competitions
Overcoming Stage Fright: Preparing the Mindset Before a Piano Exam or Competition
Frequently Asked Questions
What's needed to enter the Schools Music Festival?
Entrants are generally required to be student members of the Hong Kong Schools Music and Speech Association. Both entry and membership approval take time, so prepare early. Exact eligibility and classes follow the Association's official regulations.
How should we choose repertoire?
Choose to the student's level, temperament and musical style, letting them play to their strengths and show their character; suitable pieces matter more than always picking difficult ones. Choose together with the teacher.
Do you have to win a prize to take part?
No. The festival's value lies more in stage experience and musical growth. Placings are affected by many factors, including the day's form and the adjudicators' preferences, and are not the only goal.
What should we watch for with a video entry?
For piano, the official guidance generally requires the face (side view acceptable), both hands, the full keyboard and the pedals to be clearly filmed. Details follow the official announcements.
Can a student with no competition experience take part?
Yes. Choose a suitable class and repertoire to the student's level first, and build stage experience step by step, so a first competition becomes a positive experience of growth.
Ms. Kannaz Kwok
30+ years of piano teaching experience. Holder of internationally recognised qualifications from the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban Conservatoire.