Victor Borge Legacy Award

Victor Borge Legacy Competition: If the participating Piano Festival entrant is at an advanced playing level and in grades 8-12 (Ages 13 - 18), they are invited to participate in the Victor Borge Legacy Competition at the 2026 Des Moines Area Piano Festival. No additional repertoire is required, and the student will be adjudicated as part of his/her Piano Festival audition. First prize receives $1000 from the Museum of Danish History and Second prize is $500 respectively. Victor Borge entrants must memorize their technical exercises and repertoire piece (limited to one piece). Previous second place Victor Borge Legacy winners are eligible to enter; previous first place Legacy Winners are ineligible to enter. Competitors must perform at least two memorized, classical pieces (10 minutes total) in a recital on the Victor Borge piano at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa on Sunday, April 26th. In addition, winners will submit a 500-word essay about the legacy of Victor Borge, which will be judged by a panel that includes Borge's daughter, Janet Borge Crowle for an additional prize - Please indicate that you intend to participate in this competitive event when filling out the registration form.