2025 Contest Winners
NEW RAG CONTEST
Jared Szabo, Simi Valley CA
JUNIOR DIVISION
1. John Patrick Hutchinson, Rockingham NC
2. Jared Szabo, SimiValley CA
3. Max Libertor, Torrance CA
REGULAR DIVISION
1. Russell Wilson, Berwyn Heights MD
2. John Beggs, Madison FL
3. Jean-Baptiste France, Paris FR
4. Warren Ertle, Tuscaloosa AL
5. Michael Flores, San Juan Capistrano CA
SENIOR DIVISION
1. Tim Barton, Hainesville IL
2. Monty Suffern, Waco TX
3. Faye Ballard, Champaign IL
Regular Division Champion
Junior Division Champion
Senior Division Champion
New Rag Champion
Join us next time!
MAY 21-24, 2026
Oxford, MS
*performer registration opens Nov. 1
Visit the Official Contest
Channel
Every year over Memorial Day weekend in Oxford, Mississippi, the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest is held to provide an opportunity for pianists to compete and learn in a stimulating atmosphere, and to educate people about old-time piano music written prior to 1940. Through the years, the contest has provided more than $70,000 in prize money to more than 500 piano players from across the United States and from five foreign countries. Players in 2025 will participate in three divisions—Regular, Junior & Senior, competing for cash prizes, trophies and medallions. The New Rag Contest, where aspiring composers present their original tunes, will also have its own cash prize and trophy. A variety of other activities include presentations, guest artist performances, silent movies, a youth master class, and after-hours events every night on the Oxford Square.
This is a weekend packed with Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley and Standard tunes played by amazing piano players. You don’t have to play piano to enjoy music that will have your toes tapping. You’ll have the time of your life at the World Championship Old-Time Piano Playing Contest.
