[For Lower Elementary Students] A Comprehensive Introduction to Pieces That Are Easier to Win With in Piano Competitions
Children’s piano competitions come in several formats: the “set piece” format, where contestants choose from predetermined pieces; the “free choice” format, where they can select any piece; and some competitions that require both a set piece and a free-choice piece.
In every case, choosing pieces that are a perfect fit for the young performers—considering factors such as “whether the piece suits their level, technique, and strengths,” “whether it matches their body and hand size,” “whether it aligns with the competition’s tendencies,” “whether it will help improve their performance skills and musical expression,” and “whether the style matches their preferences so they can practice with enthusiasm”—has a significant impact on the results.
In this article, we’ve gathered recommended pieces that tend to be prize-winning, or make it easier to aim for prizes, especially suitable for lower elementary school students.
If you’re struggling to choose repertoire for a piano competition, we hope you’ll find this helpful!
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- [For 6-year-olds] A curated selection of standout pieces for piano recitals!
- [Piano Recital] Recommended for Boys! A Curated Selection of Cool, Impressive, and Popular Pieces
- For Beginners: Easy to Play and Sounds Impressive! Pieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [For Elementary School Students] Brilliant, Showy Masterpieces That Sound Impressive at Piano Recitals
- [Beginner] Also great for piano recitals! Classical pieces that look cool when you can play them
- [Piano Recital] A selection of intermediate-level pieces perfect for girls!
- [Intermediate Level] Cool Piano Pieces You Can Play [Great for Recitals Too]
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
- [Beginner] Recommended Piano Pieces to Play at a Recital
[For Lower Elementary Grades] A Roundup of Pieces That Make It Easier to Win Prizes at Piano Competitions (11–20)
Sonatina Op. 55 No. 1, First MovementFriedrich Kuhlau
Among sonatina works, Friedrich Kuhlau’s Sonatina Op.
55 No.
1 is especially popular.
It opens with a sparkling, powerful sound that immediately captivates the listener.
What follows is a gently flowing, enchantingly beautiful melody, like the murmuring of a brook.
The fun of performing this piece lies in how you express these two contrasting characters.
It’s a great challenge for children who want to tackle both an energetic style and a singing, lyrical melody, and for those looking to broaden their expressive range.
Forest fairyWilliam Gillock
This is a piano piece by William Gillock that sparkles like glistening grains of sound spilling out.
You can almost picture charming fairies dancing merrily deep in the forest.
With its crystal-clear melody that captivates the hearts of many children, this work is perfect for youngsters who want to develop rich expressiveness and play music as if weaving a story.
Rather than focusing only on increasing the tempo, paying attention to dynamics and phrasing—contrasts of loud and soft, fast and slow—will surely make you stand out in competitions!
Children’s Notebook (Seven Piano Pieces), A Pleasant Story, Op. 69-4Dmitry Shostakovich
Dmitri Shostakovich’s piano miniatures Notebook for Children, Op.
69, were lovingly composed for his beloved daughter.
The fourth piece is a playful, delightful number that feels as if a child is setting up a mischievous prank.
Set to a lively Allegro tempo, one whimsical melody after another appears, bringing a smile to the listener’s face.
If you play while imagining a story, expressive richness will come naturally.
It’s a perfect piece for children who want to let their individuality shine in competitions, or for those who’d like to discover the joy of expressing humor through music.
SumireStreabbog
Stribog’s “Violet,” with its charming, delicate atmosphere, is a piece whose clearly defined scene changes make it easy to shape contrasts—perfect for children who want to develop their expressive skills.
When performing it in a competition, in addition to dynamic contrast, the key is to make the mid-piece tempo changes feel natural.
Be careful not to slow down so much that the flow of the 3/4 meter suffers.
If your child says, “I’ve never seen a violet!” show them pictures or a book and say, “This is what the flower looks like.” It will make the imagery easier to grasp and should have a positive effect on their performance.
Aeolian harpWilliam Gillock
This is a work by William Gillock, captivating for its delicate, beautiful sonorities that evoke the sound of a harp swaying in the wind.
Released in 1957, it features richly colored, impressionistic harmonies and a gentle, heart-touching melody.
Not only does it nurture the expressive skills essential for progressing in piano study, but it also enables performers to convey a beautiful, enchanting world that captivates audiences—making it ideal for competitions.
It’s recommended for children who want to refine their expressiveness with a piece that has a beautiful melody or who want to play a memorable piece in a competition.
Album Leaves, Op. 33 No. 1 “Waltz”Samuil Maykapar
A waltz by Mykola Mykhalp (Maikapal) with a light three-beat rhythm and an elegant, memorable melody that puts both performer and listener in a cheerful mood.
It appears in a collection of short piano pieces for children published in 1947.
Designed to let players experience the joy of performance while learning the basics of musical expression, it’s an ideal piece not only for competitions and recitals but also to tackle in regular practice.
Aim for a forward-moving interpretation: play each note carefully yet keep the flow so the music doesn’t stall.
[For Lower Elementary Grades] A Comprehensive Introduction to Pieces That Are Easy to Win With in Piano Competitions (21–30)
Gigue in G majorGeorg Philipp Telemann
Georg Philipp Telemann’s Gigue in G major, a masterpiece of Baroque music, is characterized by its bright and lively atmosphere.
Although short, it is packed with Baroque elegance and technique, so performing it in a competition will allow you to fully showcase your understanding of the piece and your performance skills.
In sections where the left and right hands play independent melodic lines, be sure to identify which hand carries the main theme, and practice with careful attention to dynamic balance and articulation.