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Regulations

The BACH International Music Competition is open to classical musicians of all ages from all over the world. Participation in Preliminary Round is free of charge. There are no travel or accommodation costs, as the competition is based on the online video submission. 

The competition consists of two rounds: The Preliminary Round and the Final Round. Jury will select the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Prize winners as well as Absolute Prize, the Honorable Mentions and the Special Prize Laureates.

Those contestants who advance to the finals will be required to pay an administrative fee of 85 euros. The fee is non-refundable.

The competition will take place in accordance with the following timetable:

  • Entries will be accepted until 25 September 2024.
  • Preliminary round 26-30 September
  • Notification of results 1 October
  • Acceptance of entries for the final round 2-5 October
  • Final round 6-14 October
  • Results announced 15 October 2024

Entries in the following categories are accepted for the BACH International Music Competition

All types of solo instruments:

  • Piano and other keyboard instruments
  • Stringed instruments
  • Woodwinds
  • Brass instruments
  • Percussion instruments
  • Traditional instruments

Opera voice of any kind

All types of chamber ensembles

Composers

Conductors

Music Video Creators

AGE GROUPS:

A: 7 years old and younger

B: 8-9 y.o.

C: 10-11 y.o.

D: 12-13 y.o.

E: 14-15 y.o.

F: 16-17 y.o.

G: 18-20 y.o.

H: 21-25 y.o.

I: 26 y.o. and above

  • Participant’s age by the current deadline date.
  • Age groups apply ONLY for solo instrumentalists

VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

A. Entrants are requested to submit a video recording of their performance (YouTube or similar platform link) on “Apply” page through our online form.

B. The video must clearly show the musician(s) performing* the repertoire they wish to present at the competition.

*The exception is the ‘Composition’ category: video performance is welcome, but you can also submit audio alone.

C. There is no minimum requirement for the length of the video. The maximum length of the whole application presentation should not exceed 30 minutes, with the jury having the right to listen to only the first 15 minutes if they consider this sufficient.

D. The competition has a free choice of repertoire for each category.

E. The same recording as the first round will be used for the final round. However, finalists have the option to present an alternative recording if desired.

F. A single movement or a selection of movements from a cyclical form such as a sonata, suite, etc. may be submitted.

G. The video recordings cannot be edited, but an introduction with the name of the musician, title of the piece and composer would be appreciated.

H. Composers can apply by submitting recordings played by someone else. They may also submit audio recordings played by computer software. 

I. It is permitted to play solo, with accompaniment or a mixture of accompanied and unaccompanied pieces.

J. The video description should include the musician’s name, composer and title of the piece.

K. The settings for the YouTube video(s) should be as follows:

YouTube videos should be set to “Public” or “Unlisted”. The same applies to other sites such as Vimeo, BiliBili, etc.

Please do NOT select “Private”. If your video is private, Jury will not be able to review your submission. 

K. Please ensure that the recording is of good quality to give a fair representation of the entrant’s performance.

AWARDS:

Prizes will be awarded from 1st, 2nd, 3rd prize as well as honorable mentions and / or special mentions in each category and age group. There will be also Absolute winners award / s

Absolute winners:

  • will have the opportunity to be interviewed in a music magazine published by our Universal Music Society
  • will have their winning video published on our website
  • will have created their own Winners web page with their biography and videos
  • will have their photo and video posted in Winner’s gallery in Universal Music Society website

All winners:

  • will have created posters for their personal use, containing their photo and achievements 
  • will be listed on the „Results” page
  • receive their diploma in ready to print format
    • After the preliminary round you can receive a certificate of participation (on your request).
    • All winners can also request diplomas for their teachers
  • may be promoted on our Social Media

EVALUATION AND JURY:

  • Technical proficiency
  • Personality
  • Musicality
  • Interpretation and artistic vision
  • Professionalism of preparation

A. Competitors will be judged by a panel of world-class musicians (pedagogues, experts, performers). For the purpose of maintaining impartiality, the names of the members of the Jury will not be made public.

B. A juror will not judge a contestant who turns out to be their student.

C. The minimum number of jurors to evaluate a category is 3.

D. Verdicts of the Jury are final and irrevocable.

Disclaimer

The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the regulations if necessary. All changes will be communicated promptly to registered participants.

By taking part in the competition, the participants agree to the possible publication and popularization of their recordings and photos submitted for promotional purposes. The organizers reserve the right to edit and crop the photos submitted for publication on the Internet.