Music Comeptition Guidelines
2025 American Virtuoso
International Music Competition
If you have any questions about the AVIMC music competition, please email contact@avimc.org
Dates & Deadlines
April 5, 2025
Early Bird Application Deadline
June 1, 2025
Application Deadline
&
Preliminary Round Video Submission Deadline
June 25, 2025
Finalist Announcement
July 20, 2025
Onsite Final Round
August 31, 2025
Winners Announcement
General Guidelines
- The 2025 AVIMC music competition is open to singers and instrumentalists (piano, strings, woodwinds & brass, guitar, and chamber music) of any nationality.
- Contestants will compete in the instrumental categories and age groups listed below.
- Contestants will compete in 2 rounds, the preliminary round will be virtual by submitting unlisted YouTube links of video performances. The final round is scheduled to take place onsite in the Washington D.C. area. However, in case any of the contestants are unable to be present in person, they may submit their performance through online videos which will be accepted.
- Contestants are encouraged to participate in the final round on-site. However, if contestants attend in person is not feasible, the jury will equally evaluate the competition through both on-site and video.
- Application Fees (non-refundable)
For Soloists – Early Bird: $130 (by April 5, 2025); Standard: $165 (April 6 – June 1, 2025);
For chamber ensemble – Early Bird: $175 (by April 5, 2025); Standard: $220 (April 6 – June 1, 2025);
The application fee is for two rounds. If you are selected to advance to the final round, no additional fee is required. - Contestants may submit their applications with their preliminary round video links together via the application form or email separately to apply@avimc.org before June 1, 2025. No late applications or video submissions will be allowed.
- All related video link submissions must follow the video guidelines described below. Audio or video file email attachments will not be accepted.
- Contestants will receive comments on performances from the jury.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Categories
- Piano
- Strings Instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
- Winds Instruments (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, etc.)
- Brass Instruments (Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, and Tuba, etc.)
- Voice
- Guitar
- Chamber Music
Age Groups
- Professional Artist Group (College Students and Professional Musicians), two rounds – preliminary round and final round
- Amateur Artist Group (19 and up), two rounds – preliminary round and final round
- Young Artist Group, two rounds – preliminary round and final round
A. age 15 – 18
B. age 11 – 14
C. age 10 and younger - The age group in the Chamber Music category is defined by the average age of all ensemble members
Repertoire
The 2025 AVIMC music competition comprises a Preliminary round and a Final round. Contestants are allowed to perform the same pieces in both rounds, but the jury requests them to demonstrate the variations between the two performances.
Be awared that we do not accept popular music repertoire, such as jazz, pop, or electric pieces.
For Solo Music –
Professional Artist Group –
For all Instrumental categories:
- Preliminary Round: one work that represents the highest level of the contestant. Maximum Judging Time: 10 Minutes
- Final Round: two works from contrasting periods. Maximum Judging Time: 15 Minutes
For voice category:
- Preliminary Round: one work based on the repertoire requirements below. Maximum Judging Time: 10 Minutes
- Final Round: two works based on the repertoire requirements below. Maximum Judging Time: 15 Minutes
- Repertoire requirements:
a. Choose art songs or arias at a level appropriate to the contestant’s vocal development.
b. Repertoires can be in any language.
*Contrasting Periods include: Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, 20th/21st Century
Amateur Artist Group & Young Artist Groups –
For all Instrumental and voice categories:
- Preliminary Round: one work chosen by the contestant. Maximum Judging Time: 10 minutes
- Final Round: two works chosen by the contestant. Maximum Judging Time: 15 Minutes
*The Time limit for each level will be strictly adhered to. The entries that exceed the maximum time limit are allowed, but judges will only listen to portions of all repertoire submitted, not to exceed the maximum limit.
For Chamber Music-
The performance includes but is not limited to the following forms:
- Piano four-hands
- String/winds duo, trio, quartet, quintet, etc.
- Repertoires for piano and orchestra instruments
- Vocal repertoires or choruses with two or more singers
The following performances DO NOT belong to the category of chamber music:
- Any vocal piano-accompanied solo belongs to the scope of voice category, not the chamber music category
- Any concerto does not belong to the chamber music category
Professional Artist Group –
- Preliminary Round: One standard or rearranged chamber music repertoire. You may choose one movement if the time of multiple movements of the repertoire beyond the maximum judging time. Maximum Judging Time: 10 minutes
- Final Round: One standard or rearranged chamber music repertoire. You may choose one movement from the repertoire if the total time of movements is beyond the maximum judging time. Maximum Judging Time: 15 Minutes
Amateur Artist Group & Young Artist Group –
- Preliminary Round: One chamber music repertoire of your choice. Maximum Judging Time: 10 minutes
- Final Round: One chamber music repertoire of your choice. Maximum Judging Time: 15 Minutes
Video Submission
Video Submission Instructions for AVIMC Music Competition:
All videos must be submitted to the UNLISTED YouTube Links and each piece should be recorded as a separate video.
The title of each YouTube video should be: category name – age group name – contestant name – composer and repertoire full name, for example, Piano – Young Artist Group A – Harry Porter – Schubert Piano Sonata No.13 in A Major, D.664
Click Here to view the Video Submission Instructions
Videos submitted must be recorded no older than 6 months.
Contestants may submit application forms at any time before the video submission deadline. （You may submit your unlisted YouTube links later to the email apply@avimc.org after you apply)
The preliminary Video Submission Deadline is June 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM EDT (GMT-5)
Prizes & Awards
1. The 2025 AVIMC music competition offers winners’ recital in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in NYC or Kennedy Arts Center in Washington D.C., all prize winners will be invited.
2. Judges will select First-place, Second-place, and Third-place winners as warranted. There will be no ties for First place winners, but ties may be awarded for Second or Third place. Honorable Mentions may be awarded at the judges’ discretion.
3. Certificate of recognition of teachers.
4. All contestants will have the opportunity to attend complimentary masterclasses with the adjudicators on the same day as the onsite final round in Washington, D.C.
5. Finalists have chances to perform in masterclasses with jury members.
6. Adjudicators may declare no First, second or third-place winner. All decisions of the competition jury are final.
7. Multiple awards will be given in each Instrumental category and Age category.
8. Selected winners will be promoted to music festivals and concert opportunities in the US and Europe.
Judgement
- The Jury members are internationally acclaimed musicians. Click here to check
- The Jury’s decision is final. The comments from the jury will be provided.
Terms & Disclaimer
1. The final round and winners recitals participants are responsible for their own expenses (travel, housing accommodation, etc.).
2. Parents or legal guardians will be responsible for children under 18 years old, and they must be supervised all the time by their parents or legal guardians in the final round and winners concert. The competition is not responsible for any damage or theft during the final round and winners concert.
3. American Virtuoso International Music Competition reserves the right to make any changes in the rules, schedules, or other information related to the competition.
4. Contestant grants to American Virtuoso Intentional Music Competition the right to use their name, images, and video recordings for publicity and promotional purposes relating to the competition, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, without further compensation unless prohibited by law. By participating in the competition, contestants automatically waive all rights for any material (financial) remuneration regarding eventual publication and distribution of music video recordings on media publications and the Internet.
5. The American Virtuoso International Music Competition reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any applicant found to be:
(a) violating the American Virtuoso International Music Competition Policy and Competition Rules;
(b) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Competition;
(c) violating the terms of guidelines of American Virtuoso International Music Competition;
(d) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.
