Applications for the 2nd Keiko Abe International Marimba Competition are open from July 1 through September 15, 2026. The Keiko Abe Foundation organizes two divisions: a Professional Division with no age limit and a Young Artist Division for competitors aged 18 and under.
Timeline
- Preliminary Round (video): submissions July 1–September 15, 2026; results September 22
- First Round (video): deadline October 15, 2026; results November 1
- Second Round (video, Professional Division only): deadline November 30, 2026; results December 15
- Final-round events at Suntory Hall Blue Rose, Tokyo: venue rehearsal February 15, 2027; Young Artist Final February 16; Professional Final February 17; winners’ concert February 18
Public masterclasses and concerts by jury members are also scheduled during the final-round period.
Prizes
The official competition page lists the following awards:
- Professional Division: first prize €6,000; second prize €3,000; third prize €1,500
- Young Artist Division: first prize €3,000; second prize €1,500; third prize €500
Jury
Keiko Abe serves as honorary juror for the final only, with Fumito Nunoya as chairperson. The announced panel also includes Slawomir Mscisz, Karl Paulnack, Hiromi Shigeno, Gordon Stout, Tsuey-Ying Tai and Leo Yu.
Fees and repertoire
The preliminary-round application fee is €50. Main-round fees are €200 for the Professional Division and €100 for the Young Artist Division. The rules specify works by Keiko Abe throughout the competition. The Professional final includes Prism Rhapsody with piano reduction; the Young Artist final is a free program of approximately 15 minutes selected from the official solo-works list.
Official competition page
Official rules and repertoire
Flyer
