Crescendo Music 2025 Annual Piano Competition

Celebrating 50 Years of Musical Excellence

Crescendo Music is thrilled to announce our first-ever Crescendo Music Piano Competition, proudly hosted at our brand-new Performance Hall in Myaree!

This event marks a milestone for our family-run business, whose roots in music have always been deeply grounded in education. Over the past 50 years, our success has been made possible through the unwavering support of local music teachers, and we are excited to give back by creating a platform that celebrates talent, promotes musical growth, and fosters community collaboration.

This August, we invite passionate music educators, music schools, and their students to join us in this exciting event — not just to compete, but to challenge themselves, inspire others, and deepen their appreciation for musical performance.

The event will take place over 31st August, 7th September, and 14th September (Sundays), with categories organised by performance level. External professional adjudicators will be present to score each performance and provide feedback. Winners will be awarded for first, second, and third place, with trophies, gifts, certificates, and gift vouchers to be given out.

Please read the terms and conditions listed below for the event. We look forward to seeing all participants, parents, and educators in our first annual Crescendo Music Piano Competition.

Terms & Conditions

1. Eligibility

Open to invited teachers and their students
Students will be grouped by certified grade level or submitted repertoire for fair judging
Teachers can enter a maximum of 6 students per category/grade (More may be permitted if participation numbers allow)

2. Registration

Deadline: Monday, 18th August 2024
Entry Fee: $25 per student
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis
Late entries may not be accepted due to scheduling constraints

3. Performance Guidelines

One solo piece per student
Repertoire must be level-appropriate and within allocated time limits
Memorisation encouraged but not mandatory
All pieces must be approved by the teacher before submission
Students must bring a printed copy of their performance piece for the adjudicators

4. Judging & Feedback

Performances will be assessed by external adjudicators
Judging will consider technique, expression, accuracy, and stage presence
The judges’ decisions are final

5. Awards & Recognition

Trophies for 1st place winners
Certificates for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place
Adjudicator feedback form for all other participants
Vouchers up to $100 awarded to First Place Winners
Invitation to perform in a Showcase Concert for winners

6. Photography & Media

By entering, participants agree to potential use of photographs and video for event promotion unless stated otherwise in writing
Parents and teachers may only record their own students

7. Dress Code & Conduct

Formal concert attire is required
Respectful and courteous behaviour is expected from all attendees

8. Cancellations

No refunds will be issued once the performance schedule is released

9. Arrival & Check-In

Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled category session
Late arrivals may result in disqualification

Register Now

Secure your students' spots by completing the registration form below:
[Click here to register]

Meet Your Adjudicators

James Dekleva is a Perth-based concert pianist and music educator with a degree in piano performance from the University of Western Australia, where he studied under Jana Kovar. He works with students from beginner to tertiary level and regularly prepares them for exams and competitions.

James was a quarter-finalist in the 16th International Beethoven Piano Competition (Vienna) and a finalist in the 6th Piano Island International Piano Competition (Singapore). His performance career includes solo and chamber appearances across Australia, as well as orchestral and continuo work in both Australia and China. He recently made his concerto debut with the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra.

Blending artistic insight with practical experience, James offers thoughtful, motivating feedback that inspires young musicians to play and grow with confidence.

Follow James at jamesdekleva.com to stay updated on his performances and projects. Don’t miss his upcoming concert on Saturday, 20 September 2025.

Robert Wallace Laird is a Scottish pianist, composer and teacher. He studied piano performance and composition at Edinburgh College with Laurie Crump and Hilary Saunders. He continued his studies in Edinburgh at the Ian Tomlin School Of Music with Simon Coverdale (piano), Kenneth Dempster (composition), and Nicolas Ashton.

Robert has a Bachelor of Music with Honours and owns a successful teaching business in Perth. He holds the post of Honorary Representative for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) in Western Australia. In the past he has worked for Fintage House Publishing (Hague), where he published film and commercial music. He later worked with the international publisher Kobalt before leaving the corporate publishing world to focus on his own teaching studio and self- publishing. His has published many works and his piano students have won numerous international prizes and have performed in venues across the globe.

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you and your students for this special celebration of music, performance, and community.

Warm regards,
The Crescendo Music Team