Rules and Awards
Grand and First Prize Winners will be invited to perform in the winners concert at Carnegie Hall on February 16th, 2024!
The competition winners will also have the opportunity to participate in free masterclass series. All applicants will receive comments from the competition jury members.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: August 15th , 2023
Result Announcement: September 15th , 2023
*The deadline dates above are Pacific Standard Time (PST). All applications are due before 11:59PM on the listed due dates.
Eligibility
Competition is open to applicants(all nationalities) at age 5 to 24.
Important Notes
1.The competition has one round and will be held online. The selection of winners will be based on the videos submitted.
2.YouTube link will be required for video submission. Video needs to be recorded within the past 12 months.
3.Solo applicants must perform from memory. Chamber music applicants do not need to memorize the music.
4.Same video submitted in previous competition cannot be used again.
5.Birth Certificate must be submitted along with the application form.
6.The duration of the video must not exceed the required time limit of the applicant’s category, unless it is approved by the competition committee through email. The video that exceeds the time limit will be disqualified for the competition.
Divisions
Solo Instruments:
Piano, Violin, Cello
Chamber Music (any instrument):
Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet
*Chamber Music includes two pianos or piano four hands; or chamber groups of two, three, four, or five members
*Duos of piano and another solo instrument do not count as chamber music. This should be in solo division.
*Chamber Music Division welcomes all instruments, not limited to piano, violin, and cello.
Division Category
Solo Division (including Piano, Violin, and Cello)
Category A: Age 5-7 (born after September 1st, 2015)
Category B: Age 8-10 (born after September 1st, 2012)
Category C: Age 11-13 (born after September 1st, 2009)
Category D: Age 14-16 (born after September 1st, 2006)
Category E: Age 17-18 (born after September 1st, 2004)
Category E: Age 19-24 (born after September 1st, 1998)
Chamber Division
Category A: Age 11-14 (born after September 1st, 2008)
Category B: Age 15-18 (born after September 1st, 2004)
Category C: Age 19-24 (born after September 1st, 1998)
Solo Repertoire:
Category A – Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 4 min.
Category B – Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 6 min.
Category C - Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 8 min.
Category D - Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 10 min.
Category E- Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 12 min (at least two contrasting pieces or movements).
Category F- Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 15 min (at least two contrasting pieces or movements).
Chamber Repertoire:
Category A: Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 6 min.
Category B: Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 8 min.
Category C: Applicants’ choice of repertoire with limit of 10 min.
Video Requirements
1.Video needs to be recorded within the past 12 months.
2.High quality video is required, with clear image and audio.
3.The video must clearly show the applicant’s both hands and full body (for piano applicants, please show the use of pedal in the video).
4.Editing is prohibited within movements or single movement pieces.
5.It is fine to combine different movements or pieces together into one video.
6.Same video submitted in previous competition cannot be used again.
7.Only ONE video link is acceptable per application. Please include all competition pieces in one video.
8.The applicant needs to label the title of the video on YouTube with “Category” + “2023 ICM Competition”.
9.The competition video must be “open to public” or “unlisted” on YouTube.
10.We strongly encourage string applicants (Violin and Cello) to perform pieces with live piano accompaniment. However, the applicate who is not able to perform with a pianist or only able to perform with audio track accompaniment will still be eligible for the competition.
11.If the video does not meet the requirements above, the applicant will not be eligible for the competition.
Application Fee
Solo Division:
$180/person
Chamber Divison:
$100/person
*All application fee are not refundable.
Awards
1.Grand Prize, First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize will be awarded to selected winners.
2.Grand and First Prize Winners will be invited to perform in the winners concert at Carnegie Hall on February 16th, 2024. The travel and accommodation fee will not be covered by the competition committee. (*If any first prize winners are not able to perform in the concert, the second prize winners of what category with the highest score(s) will be nominated to perform)
3.Cash awards will be given to Grand Prize Winners. There will be only one grand prize winner chosen from each solo category, and only one grand prize will be chosen from the entire chamber division. The cash awards is $200/person for both solo and chamber divisions.
4.A free masterclass (online or in person) will be awarded to the top three applicants (according to scores) within the Second Prize Winners in each category.
5.Competition certificates and medals will be awarded to all prize winners.
6.The awards will be only based on the videos submitted. The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
7.The competition committee reserves all the rights.
Competition Judging Criteria
0-10 Technique (accuracy, clarity, tone quality, articulation, intonation)
0-10 Interpretation (musicality, style, balance, tempo, rhythm, pedaling, imagination)
0-10 Musical achievement (level of repertoire, stage presence, memorization, artistry)
Total: 30 points