Rules, 2026 PIF Castelfidardo – Italy

March 19th 2026

Harley Jones

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51st International Accordion Prize “Città di Castelfidardo” for:

Classical music soloists and groups
Virtuoso soloists
Jazz soloists and ensembles
Worldmusic Soloists & Bands
Soloists and groups Astor Piazzolla

9 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2026

2026 RULES

The Municipal Administration of Castelfidardo (Italy) announces the “Città di Castelfidardo” International Prize from 9th to 13rd September 2026, dedicated to the accordion for soloists and groups.
The PIF is open to participants of any nationality, religion, ethnic group or gender, in possession of the requirements established by the call.
The registration fee is set at: € 50.00 for classical and virtuoso section soloists
€ 100.00 for chamber music and accordion orchestras
€ 50.00 for the soloists of the jazz section, Worldmusic, Astor Piazzolla
€ 100.00 for the ensembles of the jazz section, worldmusic, Astor Piazzolla
Applicants can register for multiple categories but not repeat the same program.
From 1st April 2026 it is possible to register by following the instructions on the REGISTRATION page.
The deadline for registration is 3rd September 2026.
Registration must be sent by filling in the appropriate registration form and in case of exceptional impossibility in filling out the form, you can provide an email to info@pifcastelfidardo.it
At the time of registration, the candidate implicitly accepts that the PIF uses the personal data necessary for the purposes of the competition, the photographic images and also authorizes the audio-video recording and online transmission of the competition performance to which he will be admitted.
Participants must view the appropriate list and the program of the audition times on the website or at the competition secretariat through an email to info@pifcastelfidardo.it
Participants must confirm their presence at the Pif by registering at the competition secretariat which will verify, upon presentation of an identity document, the regularity of the registration
Participants must book any accommodation independently. The organization can provide transport by shuttle bus upon communication to the secretariat (to be made the day before the performance)
The Juryboard will be composed of a minimum number of 5 elements and a maximum of 9 elements and will be appointed by the Artistic Director
The Juryboard of the Competition are made up of accordion and musical professionals of different nationalities who, in the case of continuous teaching relationships or kinship with the candidates, must abstain from voting
Each commission will have a commission President appointed by the Artistic Director. The President of Juryboard will ensure that the hearings are conducted correctly and that these rules are complied with. The President of Juryboard has the right to interrupt the hearing of the participants if they do not comply with the time limit imposed.
The final evaluation of the performance and the final ranking will take place through a voting system from 1 to 25 deriving from the average of the votes of the individual member of the Juryboard, eliminating the lowest and highest grades.
The Juryboard reserves the right not to award prizes in the event that the participant has not shown adequate technical and musical preparation.
No ex-aequo are allowed in any category
In the case of a perfectly identical arithmetic average, a further vote will be taken among the members of the Juryboard and as a last resort to the vote by preferences
The award ceremony of the winners takes place on the day of the final round; it includes a performance of max 5 minutes and is held at the Astra Theater in Castelfidardo, as the final moment of the Competition. The ceremony is ensured maximum prominence through the involvement of the media, in line with the strategic and programmatic lines defined by the artistic director
The winners may exceptionally not take part in the final award ceremony upon presentation of an objective request due to force majeure.
The organization can award special prizes and prize concerts to the winners of the categories and report the names to concert organizations, management, event organizers, etc
The organization will promote the winners through social media and the press.

Classical Accordion Section

Classical Category “Premio”

(SOLOISTS WITH NO AGE LIMIT – 3 ROUNDS)
Days: 10-11-12 (rehearsals with orchestra)-13 (final)
First round: free choice program including a composition for harpsichord or organ by J.S. Bach lasting up to 20 minutes.
A maximum of 10 competitors will be admitted to the second round.
Second test: admitted students must perform a free choice program different from the one presented in the first round. Total duration of the program: 25 minutes. A maximum of 3 competitors will be admitted to the third round.
Third round: those admitted will have to perform in a solo test with string orchestra performing the test- piece “Signature” commissioned to the composer Michele Mangani.
DOWNLOAD HERE.

FIRST PLACE
◦ Artistic trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 5000.00 (AMMA special prize included) + n. 3 prize concerts in concert seasons in the year 2027
SECOND PLACE
◦ Artistic trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 1500.00
THIRD PLACE
◦ Artistic trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 500.00

“Virtuoso Accordion” Section

Virtuoso “Senior” Category

First round: free choice program of the non-classical repertoire for a total duration of 15 minutes
Second round: competitors admitted to the second round must present a program of the non- classical repertoire different from the first round and not exceeding 8 minutes.

FIRST PLACE
◦ Artistic Trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 1000,00
SECOND PLACE
◦ Artistic Trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 500,00
THIRD PLACE
◦ Artistic Trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 200,00

“World Accordion” Section

World Music Ensemble

NO AGE LIMIT (max 12 members), with at least one accordion or one diatonic accordion (of any model), one garmoshka with a main role
Day: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
Program: At least one piece of the song must refer to its own CULTURE / TRADITION. N.B. The organization suggests the use of traditional clothes from one’s homeland.
FIRST PLACE
◦ Artistic trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 1000.00
SECOND PLACE
◦ Artistic trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 500.00
THIRD PLACE
◦ Artistic trophy
◦ Scholarship of € 200.00

NÜGO Special Award

The “NÜGO Award” consists of the production, recording and release of an album for the prize winner, with a total value of €2,000.

AMMA Special Award
The AMMA Award is awarded to the winner of the PRIZE category and is worth €500.