The Piano Teachers’ Forum of Grand Rapids is excited to announce 175 Years / 88 Keys, a piano composition contest commemorating the 175th anniversary of the founding of Grand Rapids city. Students are encouraged to theme their pieces around “My Favorite Part of GR,” using Grand Rapids specific locations, cultures, and urban and/or natural features as inspiration.
· Lower Division: grades K-6
· Upper Division: grades 7-12
· Collegiate Division: any student enrolled in collegiate level music courses
· Entrants should reside in West Michigan
· Limit one submission per entrant
· Entrants must be able to perform their piece
· Compositions may be in any style, key or meter
· All submissions must be scored for solo piano
· Students must be able to perform their own composition
· Length requirements:
Lower Division: 8+ bars
Upper Division: 32+ bars
Collegiate Division: No longer than 5 minutes
· Submit by 12/31/2025
· Send sheet music via PDF (using notation software) and mp3 recording (student playing or digital recording) to vincentfrankmusic@gmail.com
Submit an entry fee of $10 (lower division), $15 (upper division), or $20 (collegiate) to paypal.me/ptfgr, or by check mailed to:
Piano Teachers’ Forum of Grand Rapids
Attn: Vincent Frank
207 Fulton St E
Ste 3109
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Lower Division: $50 prize
Upper Division: $75 prize
Collegiate Division: $100 prize
Winners & honorable mentions will be presented with a certificate and invitation to perform at a reception at West Michigan Piano on Tuesday, February 17th at 7pm.
The Piano Teachers' Forum of Grand Rapids is an organization that serves area piano teachers and their students by providing opportunities for teacher education, student performances and competitions, a teacher referral service, and networking with other professionals.
We work hard to kindle in students a love, enthusiasm and respect for music and uphold a high standard of artistic values.