When can I apply to register for the Maria Canals Competition?

Each year, the call for contestants opens in July and ends in December.

How can I become a coordinator?

The coordinators are a great asset of the Maria Canals, because they are the professional or amateur pianists who liven up the OFF Competition events, such as the street pianos, the social or educational activities, etc. The volunteering assignments they undertake are very valuable to our institution.

If you would like to contribute to making music practice universal, write us at: info@mariacanals.cat.

Click here to fill out the form. 

How does COVID-19 affect the 69th Competition?

The 69th Competition is expected to take place as planned, always maintaining the strict safety, hygiene, and COVID-19 prevention standards required by the regulations and pandemic situation.

What can I do to get pictures of your activities?

Visit our media section on the web or contact our team by writing to info@mariacanals.cat and we will attend your requests. 

I would like to check the list of all the winners since the first edition, in 1954.

You will find them in the Competition/Winner’s section.

How is the Competition structured?

The Competition is divided into two eliminatory rounds, a semi-final, and a grand finale with orchestra. These events are held in the prestigious concert hall of the Palau de la Música Catalana, where the Competition’s offices are located.

As a contestant, can I make changes to the program?

You will need to contact the Competition’s secretariat so that the board can assess, in each case, whether a change is appropriate or not, depending on when and why it is requested. Please write us at concurs@mariacanals.cat.

What is the minimum and maximum age to participate under COVID-19?

Since 2019, the minimum age to participate has been advanced by one year, from 18 to 17 years, and this condition has not changed. However, in order to give the opportunity to participate to all those pianists who were registered and 2020 was their last chance to compete, their registration was maintained for 2021. Therefore, exceptionally, the maximum age in 2021 was 29 years.

I work in a media outlet and would like to cover an MCB event. Who should I contact?

Caldrà que et posis en contacte amb la responsable de comunicació i escriure al seu correu comunicacio@mariacanals.catShe will attend all your requests.

How can I get a scholarship to learn to play the piano?

With the “It’s my turn!” social project, the Maria Canals Association and the Fundación Occident promote piano practice among children in neighborhoods with a high percentage of social vulnerability.  

The selection is made together with the participating schools. At the beginning of the school year, the MCB stations grand pianos in each district (Usera, La Macarena, Ciutat Meridiana and La Verneda). Then, the school’s tutors and music teachers, working hand in hand with the social project’s teachers, come up with the students that will receive the scholarships. 

As well as the candidates’ musicality, the children and the family’s motivation and involvement are also evaluated for the experience to be as meaningful as possible. 

Who should I contact to participate in the “Learning with Maria Canals” social project?

Contact Marta Gasch at marta@mariacanals.catAs the coordinator of educational and social activities, she will tell you what to do.

I would like to participate in the “You can play!” competition!’

Everyone is welcome to participate in the “You can play!” competition. All you must do is record a home video explaining why you love playing the piano and perform a piece. Be creative!

Where can I buy the book on Maria Canals?

To purchase the book on Maria Canals and Barcelona, written by journalist Ana Maria Dávila, please write us at info@mariacanals.cat and we will tell you what to do.

I would like to station a grand piano at my school/university/event. How can I do this?

We will be happy to collaborate with your organization! Write us at jeroni@mariacanals.org and the production manager of the Competition will attend your request.

I would like to offer a recital within the Maria Canals “Porta Cua” program. Who should I contact?

These proposals give us hope and are the very reason of our existence. Please contact the coordinator of the educational and social area, Marta Gasch, at marta@mariacanals.cat.

How can I find out about the activities you organize?

It's as easy as browsing our website and clicking on the Calendar section. There you will find updated information on all our Competition and OFF Competition activities. In addition, you can subscribe to our newsletter and we will keep you updated on everything that’s going on through our communications.

How can I become a friend of the Competition and what are the advantages?

The friends of the Competition are a very important group to make our activities known to the public. That's why we like to take care of you and bring you all our news and membership advantages. Fill out the form by clicking on the Newsletter section of our website and you will be a part of the great Maria Canals family!

Which COVID-19 measures are being taken to ensure a safe environment in the Competition?

In the 2021 edition, the traditional welcome to the contestants will be carried out online. When the pianists arrive in Barcelona, they must present a negative result of a PCR test, taken within the last 72 hours. Each performance will take place in time slots to be strictly complied with, and the contestants are required to wash their hands frequently, wear a mask and keep a safe distance. Contact between contestants should be avoided when going onstage and offstage, and an antigen test will be performed between rounds. The spaces will be constantly sanitized and have an air purification system.