*This article is a re-edited version for the website of the report on the 21st Romania International Music Competition that was published in the November 2025 issue of our newsletter, "Felicitări." It includes photographs and a glimpse into the event.

Stage experience leads to the next challenge

The 21st Romania International Music Competition was held at the Takanawa Community Hall in Minato Ward for five days, from August 26th to 30th, 2025.

Participants from various categories, including piano, vocal music, string instruments, wind instruments, percussion, and ensembles, took to the stage and engaged with their respective musical styles.

Performing on a real stage.
To present my music in front of the judges.
To listen to other participants' performances and experience the awards ceremony.

While competitions are ultimately about results, the experiences gained during the process are also valuable for the participants.

Things you can only see when you perform on stage

At the Romania International Music Competition, we place great importance on the experience of performing on an actual stage.

The sound resonating in the hall, the atmosphere in the audience, the tension of performing in front of the judges.
Performing in an environment different from your usual practice can give you new insights into your own music.

At the 21st competition, there were moments unique to the competition, such as the serious expressions before the performance, the relief after the performance, and the smiles at the awards ceremony.

It's not just about the results, but also about preparing for the actual performance, getting on stage, and being exposed to other performances.
Each of those moments leads to the next performance.

The 21st Grand Prix winner was Park Sa-chae in the piano category.

The 21st Grand Prix was awarded to Park Sa-chae, who won first place in the piano category.

This marks the first time a Grand Prix winner has come from the piano division since Reina Enomoto in the 2nd competition and Mahiro Roh in the 8th competition.

This competition, named after Romania, the country that produced George Enescu, has often seen the Grand Prix winner selected from the string instrument division. However, this was the first time in a while that the Grand Prix winner came from the piano division, and the audience erupted in applause.

After receiving the award, Park Sa-chae said she is looking forward to the opportunity to go to Romania and interact with people there, and that she would like to study in Germany in the future to experience European music, art, and history.

One of the key features of this competition is that winning an award can lead to further learning opportunities and experiences abroad.

Special performance by last year's Grand Prix winner

At the 21st edition, a special performance was also given by Marina Wakao, the winner of the Grand Prix at the 20th edition held the previous year.

Before the awards ceremony, there was a 30-minute performance, which allowed the judges and other participants to witness Wakao's growth over the past year.

Wakao is scheduled to perform in various locations throughout Romania afterward. This is an example of how winning a competition can lead to further performance opportunities.

Seeing past award winners return to the stage must have given this year's participants an opportunity to think about their future activities.

From Junior to International Music Competitions

The Romania International Junior Music Competition, established as a junior version of the Romania International Music Competition, has now concluded its ninth edition.

In recent years, there has been a trend of junior competition winners going on to compete in the Romania International Music Competition.

Last year, flutist Kaoruko Hino won an award.
And in the 21st competition, Tomoki Yamamoto took second place in the piano category.

Stage experience at the junior level can lead to bigger opportunities in the future.
Performing in concerts and confronting one's own playing during one's youth is a valuable experience for continuing in music.

It is expected that the number of participants who challenge themselves in this competition after competing in junior competitions will continue to increase.

Voices of the award winners

The finalists shared their reasons for participating in the competition, their thoughts after winning, and their aspirations for the future.

My reasons for participating included a recommendation from my teacher, an interest in Romania, a desire to have my performance heard by teachers from overseas, and an interest in opportunities to perform in Romania.

Kotona Abe, who won the Japan-Romania Music Association Board Award in the percussion category, said that she participated in the competition as an opportunity to have her performance heard by teachers from overseas. After receiving the award, she also expressed her desire to continue working hard, making the most of this experience, and to pursue her dream of becoming a marimba player.

Furthermore, Emi Wakui, who received the Apollonia Award, said that she decided to take on the challenge after learning about the special prize which includes an opportunity to perform in Romania. After receiving the award, she also expressed her aspiration to expand connections through music that transcend national borders.

Competitions are not only a place to determine rankings, but also a place to understand where you currently stand.
The award winners' words convey the experiences they gained through their participation and their determination to move forward.

It's not just about the technology, but also about how to deliver music on stage.

At the Romania International Music Competition, we value not only performance technique but also how to deliver music on stage.

Having technical skills is certainly important.
However, that alone doesn't fully convey the charm of the music.

How should I appear on stage, in a way that matches the atmosphere and image of the song?
What kind of impression will you convey to the listener?
How do I create each and every stage as a space for my own musical expression?

That perspective is also an important element for a performer.

Even in a competition setting, it's important for the performer to consider how to best convey their own music.
That will be valuable experience for when you perform in recitals or concerts in the future.

The competition includes everything up to the awards ceremony.

At the Romania International Music Competition, we consider not only the performance itself but also the awards ceremony as part of the entire competition.

Before your performance, you might be too nervous or focused on preparation to listen to other participants' performances.
However, by listening to other participants' performances after your own, you can understand why they were chosen and what made them different from you.

Listening to the final round performances can also be an opportunity to re-examine your own expression.
Experiencing the attitudes and music of other performers is also one of the benefits of participating in a competition.

The awards ceremony is also an important time for the participants.
The entire experience of participating in a competition, including the moment you receive your certificate or trophy, will be a memorable one.

Discover Romanian culture through music

One of the distinguishing features of the Romania International Music Competition is the opportunity to encounter Romanian musical culture through performance.

Romania is a country that has nurtured a rich musical culture, exemplified by figures like George Enescu.
Opportunities to experience Romanian music are still limited in Japan, but this competition serves as an entry point to discovering that culture.

Among the award winners' comments, some spoke of their interest in Romanian culture and composers, their desire to perform in Romania, and their interest in Romanian cities and concert halls.

It's not just about honing your performance skills, but also about experiencing the culture and human connections behind the music.
That, too, is one of the unique charms of this competition.

To the 22nd Romania International Music Competition

The 22nd Romania International Music Competition is scheduled to be held from August 25th to 29th, 2026, at the Takanawa Community Hall in Minato Ward.

The participating categories are piano, vocal music, string instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, and ensemble.
The application deadline is July 31, 2026 (Friday), and applications must be received by this date.

For those who want to gain experience performing on stage.
For those who want to take a deeper look at their own music.
For those who want to connect with Romanian music and culture.

As was the case with the participants of the 21st competition, one real-world experience can lead to the next challenge.
For detailed application requirements and instructions, please see below.Application Guidelines PagePlease check.

22nd Romania International Music Competition Application Guidelines Page