The 2026 Norah Sande Award is open to PIANISTS who are aged 18 to 25 (inclusive) on 1st July 2026 who were born, or who are resident, training or working in Kent, Sussex, Surrey or the London postal area.
The Norah Sande Award has been enabled by a substantial bequest from the late Norah Sande, in memory of her Grandmother, Alice Mary Caffin. Its object (and the wish of the legatee) is to encourage and support young musicians at the commencement of their careers.
First prize £2000 and two performance opportunities
Second prize £1000
Third prize £500
The winner will be invited to be the Piano Concerto soloist with the prestigious Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra and there is also a possible second recital opportunity.
The organisers reserve the right to alter or withdraw these opportunities if necessary.
2025 winner Radu-Gabriel Stoica said "From the moment I arrived I felt warmly welcomed, which made the whole atmosphere relaxed and supportive. It was a pleasure to meet the other contestants among whom there was a strong sense of mutual respect. The standard was incredibly high and it was inspiring to be surrounded by such dedicated musicians, I came away feeling energised. Competitions like these are so valuable not only for the performance opportunity but for the sense of community and inspiration they foster".
CELEBRATED ROMANIAN YOUNG PIANIST RADU-GABRIEL STOICA ADDS EASTBOURNE’S NORAH SANDE AWARD 2025 TO HIS LIST OF INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS
The Norah Sande Award, an international piano competition held in Eastbourne since its launch twenty years ago, was won on 6th July by Royal College of Music pupil Radu-Gabriel Stoica who thrilled the Birley Centre audience with a range of exciting pieces. This impressive 24 year old Romanian has already won many international awards including the Frederick Chopin and the Schumann Piano competitions and performed in prestigious concert venues in Italy, Romania, Germany and the UK’s Wigmore Hall and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Currently studying for a Masters in Performance at the RCM under Prof Ian Jones, he is a C.Bechstein scholar and also has a London Symphony Orchestra Conservatoire Scholarship.
Sussex concertgoers were able to enjoy Radu’s talents again when he was the soloist at the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Autumn concert on 19 October 2025. This honour for the Norah Sande Award winner is in addition to a cheque for £2000.
The final stages were held in the purpose-built concert hall at the Birley Centre, Eastbourne College. Fourteen semi-finalists performed a 20 minute programme on Saturday 5th July before a prestigious adjudication panel, Richard Deering (Chairman), Caroline Clemmow and Michael Young - keyboard exponents of international repute. The adjudicators debated at length as this year’s semi finalists had proved to be such a talented group. Three were chosen to perform a full recital programme incorporating classical, romantic and contemporary pieces the following day. Richard Deering wrote that Radu, the winner, gave "a commanding performance, both interpretatively and pianistically… with some excellent colourings”.
See the Latest News Page for more details about the 2025 finals weekend and the winners...
JOIN THE AUDIENCE FOR THE 2026 FINAL ROUND PIANO RECITALS
BY AN EXCITING NEW GENERATION OF INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ADULT PIANISTS
TRAVELLING TO EASTBOURNE TO COMPETE IN THIS PRESTIGIOUS TWO DAY EVENT
Please note that the start time for the Saturday semi-final has been changed to 10am
Semi-Final - Saturday 4th July 2026 - 10am
Free entry and the audience is welcome to join and leave between performances.
Tickets for Sunday's final can be booked at the Award's front of house desk
Final - Sunday 5th July 2026 - 2.30pm
Three finalists perform a full recital programme incorporating classical, romantic and contemporary pieces.
Tickets: £15.00 on the door (Under 18s Free)
c. 5.30pm Announcement of winner and runners-up
Patron Freddy Kempf wishes all entrants well for the 2026 Competition
