2025 Ross McKee Piano Competition
—Celebrating Emerging Young Artists
The Ross McKee Piano Competition is a prestigious annual event open to serious high school-age piano students (18 and under). Each year, up to four pianists are selected as McKee Laureates, receiving a $1,500 cash award and additional career development support. The competition consists of three stages: Round One (video submission), Round Two (live semi-finals), and the Laureates Concert.
At a Glance
- Eligibility: High school-age pianists (18 and under), living in Northern California
- Awards: Up to four Laureates receive $1,500 and career support
- Applications Open: July 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
- Semi-Finals (Live Round): November 16, 2025
- Laureates Concert: December 14, 2025
- Location: San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), 50 Oak Street
- Competition Inquiries: executivedirector@rossmckeefoundation.org
Round One—
Video Submission
Deadline: September 1, 2025
Applicants must submit:
- A completed application form (available below)
- A 15-minute video recording (MP4 format) showcasing a range of repertoire
- A $50 non-refundable application fee
Repertoire may be drawn from any era and should demonstrate the applicant’s technical and artistic range. Each submission will be reviewed by a panel of two to three professional pianists. Eight to ten applicants will be invited to advance to the next round.
Details with upload instructions via FilmFreeway will be available here.
Round Two—
Live Semi-Finals
Notification of Finalists: September 15, 2025
Live Performance: Sunday, November 16, 2025
Location: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Recital Hall, 50 Oak Street
Finalists will be notified by September 15 and will receive a link to a newly commissioned required composition, which must be included in their performance. Additional repertoire should reflect the breadth of their musicianship, technique, and expressiveness. The total performance time must not exceed 20 minutes.
At the conclusion of the semi-final round, judges will select up to four McKee Laureates.
*All judging is anonymous. Each pianist is assigned a number by which they are known throughout the first and second rounds. The identity of each performer and their teacher can be revealed only after finalists are announced. No teacher whose student enters the Competition may serve as a judge.
2025 Laureates Concert
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.
Location: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Recital Hall, 50 Oak Street
This celebratory public concert features the competition’s top performers. The winner of the Best Performance of the Required Composition will also be announced and featured. All applicants should save this date in the event they are selected to perform.