PORTLAND — Advanced pianists in grades 8 through 12 throughout Maine are invited to request guidelines and an application form now to enter the Ocy L. Downs Piano Prize competition to be held March 24 at the Portland Conservatory of Music.

Distinguished jurors include George Lopez, an internationally renowned concert pianist and current artist in residence at Bowdoin College; Deborah Sawyer, a former Downs student and longtime piano teacher and choir director in Portland; and Kathryn Southworth, chairwoman of the Piano Department of the Concord Community Music School in New Hampshire.

For the first time, the winner will receive not only its customary $500 prize and an invitation to present a solo recital, but also a full scholarship to the week-long International Piano Festival in late June at the Portland Conservatory of Music.

Additional first-time offers to either the prize winner or other participants include possible invitations to perform in a master class by Ilana Vered during the Bowdoin College Clavier Fest in late April 2013, and a scholarship to participate in next year’s Karger Scholars 20- week ensemble performance program at the Portland Conservatory.

Known for its demanding requirements, the Ocy L. Downs Piano Prize Biennial sets high standards to encourage young talented students to aspire to achieving lofty goals, states a news release. In 2010 12 pianists from Presque Isle to Kennebunk participated. Co- winners were Kelia Ingraham of Kennebunk and Christopher Staknys of Falmouth.

The Ocy L. Downs Piano Prize awarded its first prize in 1999 in honor of Maine’s pianist and teacher who from 1927 to 1998 dedicated her time and talent with close to a 1,000 piano students and other young musicians.

Guidelines and application forms are available by contacting the Portland Conservatory of Music at 775-3356, emailing pcm-office@maine. rr.com or visiting www.PortlandConservatory.net under Ocy L. Downs Piano Prize.