[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!
- For Preschoolers to Elementary School Children: Challenging Piano Pieces — A Curated Selection from Competition Repertoire
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Masterpieces and Popular Pieces Recommended for 3rd Grade Elementary School Students!
- [Piano Recital] Carefully Selected Classical Pieces Recommended for Upper Elementary School Students
- [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 Comprehensive Introduction to Pieces That Are Easy to Win With in Piano Competitions (21–30)
Friend MozartYuyama Akira
Akira Yuyama’s “Tomodachi Mozart” is a work full of charm that captivates children’s hearts.
Within its light and cheerful atmosphere, it weaves in classical elements characteristic of Mozart, delighting listeners.
There are passages well-suited for practicing dynamic contrasts between f (forte) and p (piano), which also help improve performance technique.
Beloved by many children, it was even performed at the 2008 PTNA Piano Competition Winners’ Recital.
Elementary school students who are beginning to learn the piano—why not become friends with Mozart through this piece? A delightful world of music is sure to open up for you.
Carnival BallWilliam Gillock
Among the many works for children left by American music educator William Gillock, “Carnival in Rio” is an ideal piece for competitions for lower–elementary school students.
With its light rhythm and bright melody that capture the bustle of a carnival, this piece demands not only technical skills such as balance between the hands and a good sense of rhythm, but also expressive ability to convey the joyful atmosphere of a ball through sound.
While it is of course important to overcome the technical challenges, it’s best to perform with the image of taking part in a lively dance party, so you can fully recreate the piece’s cheerful character.
[For Lower Elementary School Students] A Comprehensive Introduction to Pieces That Are Easy to Win Prizes With in Piano Competitions (31–40)
Concert EtudeNakata Yoshinao
Yoshinao Nakada’s Concert Etude is a captivating piece with a movingly beautiful melody and harmonies.
Although it is crafted so that even younger elementary school children with small hands can play it comfortably, performing it in a competition calls for not only basic piano technique but also a deep understanding of the music and expressive nuance.
Rather than focusing solely on technical difficulty, study the score closely and practice in a way that lets you savor the beauty of the shifting harmonies and the songful quality of the melody throughout the piece.
Viennese WaltzWilliam Gillock
William Gillock’s “Wiener Waltz” is a piece beloved by piano learners of a wide range of ages, where a vibrant melody and an elegant waltz rhythm blend beautifully.
The piece is full of opportunities—such as rhythm and expression choices—that, with a bit of ingenuity, can make a performance even more captivating.
In addition, the score includes pedaling indications, making it excellent practice for using the pedal effectively.
Balancing musical enjoyment with a moderate technical challenge, this piece is perfect for children who want to improve their playing through competition experiences while growing familiar with the piano.
Children who are playingBartók Béla
The first piece from Bartók’s 1908 piano collection For Children.
Based on Hungarian folk songs, it depicts children at play through music.
It features a lively, rhythmic melody and proceeds at a fast Allegro tempo.
Despite its simple structure, nuanced dynamics and accents convey a vivid sense of motion.
Although it lasts only about 35 seconds, it demands high technical skill from the performer, with antiphonal passages between the hands and the need to accurately capture intervals of seconds and sevenths.
Why not consider tackling it for a piano competition?
Sonatina No. 5, 1st MovementLudwig van Beethoven
Sonatina No.
5, composed by Beethoven between 1796 and 1798.
The first movement, written in sonata form in C minor, contrasts forceful phrases with quiet ones and is built on distinctive rhythms and melodies.
The juxtaposition of short, fragmentary motifs with long, lyrical lines heightens its dynamic, impulsive effect.
This work is one of the representative pieces of Beethoven’s early period and an energetic composition that foreshadows his later Pathetique Sonata and Fifth Symphony.
It is known as an important part of the piano learner’s repertoire, so consider taking it on for competitions.
Sonatina, Op. 55 No. 3, First MovementFriedrich Kuhlau
Friedrich Kuhlau, born in Germany and active in Denmark, was a composer who left a significant mark from the Classical to the Romantic era.
Composed in 1823, the Sonatina Op.
55 No.
3, First Movement, remains a popular piece used as lesson material in many piano schools today.
Characterized by a bright and energetic melody, it is designed to help children experience the joy of music through the piano.
It also firmly cultivates fundamental techniques, making it an ideal piece for lower elementary school students who wish to improve their performance by taking on competitions.