2026 GUIDELINES
Competitors must choose ONE division to apply to.
Those under the age of 12 can choose to apply in either division.
18 & Under Division
The International Young Artist Concerto Competition is open to students internationally, 18 years of age and younger. Applicants are invited to submit one movement of a concerto on any instrument. Any concerto may be selected, as long as the orchestra parts are available on IMSLP.
Round 1:
Video (and score upload) due by November 16, 2025.
Round 2: Semi-Finals
Sixteen applicants who demonstrate significant ability and musicality are selected to participate in the semi-finals on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Round 3: Finals
Four finalists will be chosen to compete on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Winner is announced following final performance.
FIRST ROUND
Registration is open through November 16, 2025. Applicants must be no older than 18 years of age as of January 25, 2026.
Please note, the application is a two-step process:
Step 1) Applicant Information and Payment
Step 2) Media Uploads
VIDEO and SCORE UPLOADS must adhere to the requirements listed below:
REPERTOIRE
1) One movement of a concerto. Repertoire will remain the same for each round.
2) The concerto selected must be available on IMSLP or NKODA. No exceptions made, unless the competitor owns the parts to a new work.
VIDEO RECORDING OF CONCERTO MOVEMENT
1) The participant's body, hands, and instrument (including pedals for piano) must be seen throughout the entire video.
2) The recording must be done in one take with no editing.
3) No speaking is required at the beginning of the video.
4) The concerto must be performed with a live piano accompanist.
5) The applicant is encouraged to dress as if for a formal performance.
6) The concerto video recording may not be filmed earlier than September 1st, 2025.
SCANNED SCORE
1) A PDF of the complete score is required (not separate pages).
2) Score must include piano reduction.
3) All measures must be numbered making sure measure numbers are eligible (especially if pencil was used). A color scan is often most clear.
4) PDF must be titled with the name and composer of the concerto.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
1) Video must not exceed 4 GB per media file.
If your files are larger in size, we suggest converting the file.
2) Documents must not to exceed 250 MB. Images must not to exceed 500 MB.
3) Application fees are non-refundable.
SEMI-FINAL AND FINAL ROUND
Sixteen competitors will be selected to move to the semi-final round. Rehearsals with orchestra will take place on Friday, January 23. Semi-final round will take place on Saturday, January 24. Four finalists will be chosen to compete on Sunday, January 25 with one final winner.
The semi-final and final round will take place in Chicago, IL with a professional orchestra. Applicants should be prepared to book arrangements for January 24-26, 2025 if selected for the semi-final round. All necessary details will be provided in a timely manner to those who advance in the competition.
BIOGRAPHY AND HEADSHOT
If selected for semi-final round, please submit a short biography and headshot. Biography should be no longer than 150 words.
PROFESSIONAL RECORDING
Each semifinalist may request a professional video and audio recording of their performance for their records and portfolio.
Note: Professional recording will be offered for $400 ($350 if prepaid before competition). All fees for the recordings will go to the orchestra musicians and recording engineers.
WINNER’S PRIZE
The winner will be given a professional audio and video recording free of charge.
Additionally, the winner will be featured on a radio broadcast streamed to thousands of listeners and invited back to the IYACC the following year for an encore performance during that year’s final round.
12 & Under Division
The International Young Artist Concerto Competition, 12 & Under Division is open to students internationally, 12 years of age and younger. Applicants are invited to submit one movement from standard repertoire, composed for a chamber orchestra (less than 25 members.) The piece selected will be approved by the conductor when your application is submitted. Orchestral parts must be available on IMSLP.
Round 1:
Video (and score upload) due by November 16, 2025.
Round 2:
Finals - Four finalists will be chosen to compete on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Winner will be announced following final performance.
FIRST ROUND
Registration is open through November 16, 2025. Applicants must be no older than 12 years of age as of January 25, 2026.
Please note, the application is a two-step process:
Step 1) Applicant Information and Payment
Step 2) Media Uploads
VIDEO and SCORE UPLOADS must adhere to the requirements listed below:
REPERTOIRE
1) One movement of a concerto composed for chamber orchestra (less than 25 members.)
2) The concerto selected must be available on IMSLP or NKODA. No exceptions made, unless the competitor owns the parts to a new work.
VIDEO RECORDING OF CONCERTO MOVEMENT
1) The participant's body, hands, and instrument (including pedals for piano) must be seen throughout the entire video.
2) The recording must be done in one take with no editing.
3) No speaking is required at the beginning of the video.
4) The concerto must be performed with a live piano accompanist.
5) The applicant is encouraged to dress as if for a formal performance.
6) The concerto video recording may not be filmed earlier than September 1, 2025.
SCANNED SCORE
1) A PDF of the complete score is required (not separate pages).
2) Score must include piano reduction.
3) All measures must be numbered making sure measure numbers are eligible (especially if pencil was used). A color scan is often most clear.
4) PDF must be titled with the name and composer of the concerto.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
1) Video must not exceed 4 GB per media file.
If your files are larger in size, we suggest converting the file.
2) Documents must not to exceed 250 MB. Images must not to exceed 500 MB.
3) Application fees are non-refundable.
FINAL ROUND
Four finalists will be chosen to compete on Sunday, January 25, 2026. Winner will be announced following final performance.
The final round will take place in Chicago, IL with a professional chamber orchestra. All necessary details will be provided in a timely manner to those who advance in the competition. Please note, there is no semi-final round for the 12 & Under Division.
BIOGRAPHY AND HEADSHOT
If selected for final round, please submit a short biography and headshot. Biography should be no longer than 150 words.