These hints and tips are only suggestions. The most important thing is that you enjoy the experience of entering. Whatever the outcome, you’re doing it because you love to play the piano!

• Try to select contrasting repertoire to demonstrate your range of skills. Your teacher or a colleague could be of great assistance here – they'll know what you play best.

• Don’t learn lots of new pieces. The longer the piece has been in your fingers, the more solid and polished it will come across.

• Don’t choose pieces that are too difficult. It’s much more impressive to play an intermediate piece very well rather than an advanced piece quite well.

• Set yourself monthly goals (e.g. to learn half of a piece by April, and to learn the coda of another piece by May!)

• Play your pieces in front of family and friends before submitting them to tape. The more you rehearse by playing for others, the more secure you’ll be.

• If you make it to the semi finals, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the venue. You don’t want to be breathless before you begin.

• If you make it to the semi finals, play your pieces on a regular basis in front of family and friends. If you don’t, you’ll be in for a shock when you turn up to the semi finals and have to play in front of a row of judges (no matter how friendly and supportive they will be).

• Although it’s your playing we are interested in, presentation is always important. If you can play the pieces from memory at the semi finals, this helps to impress. Think also about how professional pianists present themselves on stage, with regards to walking on and off stage etc.

• If you feel confident enough at the semi finals, you could announce the works before you play them. You could even add your personal reason as to why you’ve chosen these particular pieces.