Zeiter Piano Competition

This year's Henry and Carol Zeiter Piano Competition at University of the Pacific will take place on Sunday, January 28, 2024. This event has been drawing exceptionally talented young pianists from around California since the 1970s. All California high school students are eligible to enter except for former first prize winners and students of judges.

Finalists are chosen through a process of video-recorded auditions and invited to University of the Pacific to play in the live auditions on Sunday, January 28, 2024. The finals are public and everyone is welcome!

Competition procedures

Contestants will be evaluated in a preliminary recorded round consisting of two of the three selected works. Approximately 15-18 pianists will be invited to the University of the Pacific campus for the live auditions on Sunday, January 28, 2024.

Application fee: $75
Application deadline: Dec. 9, 2023

Repertoire

Contestants will prepare three solo works representing three of the following style periods: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Impressionist/Contemporary. Works by underrepresented composers are strongly encouraged.

Competition Prizes

$1000 First Prize
$750 Second Prize
$500 Third Prize
$100 Honorary Mention plus master class performance
$300 Special Prize for best performance of a work by an underrepresented composer

the 2019 winner

Parker van Ostrand

"Participating in the Zeiter Piano Competition was an amazing experience which gave me an important segway in my musical aspirations as a pianist. Not only I had to prepare and perform multiple pieces in a competition setting, I gained valuable insight into the music industry from the presentations in between the performances. What I found most valuable was how much I was able to learn from the judges during the master classes, as well as the written comments after the competition. I am very grateful for that opportunity and would highly recommend this musical event to any aspiring pianists."