Strings

• Violin Solo / Viola Solo
• Cello Solo / Double Bass Solo
• Strings Duo
• Strings Trio

• Piano accompaniment is allowed in all categories
• Performances may be presented with or without accompaniment
• For Duo and Trio categories, any combination of string instruments is allowed
• The accompanist is not evaluated as part of the competition

📌 Important

Participants are responsible for arranging their own accompanist, including for the Final Gala Concert. The organizers may provide recommendations upon request.

• Round I and Round II are held online (video-based)
• The participant's age must correspond to their age at the time of application for Round I

Round I — Music of Immortal Composers
Repertoire must consist of one or two work(s) by composers of the past. Works by living composers are not allowed.

Round II — Music of Living Composers
Repertoire must be selected from the list of Featured Living Composers. Selection of works outside the list is possible upon approval by the Artistic Director via: irina.mints@icmceurope.com. Some works may need to be obtained directly from the composer or publisher.

Participants in AG 4 must not be enrolled in a professional music institution (college or conservatory). Participants currently enrolled in higher education institutions must apply under AG 4+.

For Strings Duo and Strings Trio categories, the age group is determined by the average age of all ensemble members at the time of application for Round I.

During the online application process, the system may initially assign the age group based on the oldest ensemble member. The competition administration will subsequently review the participants' ages and, where applicable, manually adjust the ensemble to the appropriate age group based on their average age.

Example: if the members of a Piano Duet are aged 8 and 14, their average age is 11, and the duet will be placed in the age group corresponding to that average age - AG2.

• Participants may perform one or more works within each round, provided that the total duration of the programme does not exceed the time limit specified for the relevant age group.
• Works within each round (if more than one) must be contrasting in style or character

• Strings Solo categories must be performed from memory
• In Strings Duo and Strings Trio categories, performance with sheet music is permitted, although memorized performance is encouraged

• Only one video link may be submitted per application for each round
• If the programme includes more than one work, all works must be combined into a single video and submitted through one link. Editing between separate works is permitted
• Each individual work must be recorded as a single continuous take. Cuts, edits, splicing, or other alterations within a work are strictly prohibited
• The complete programme must not exceed the time limit specified for the relevant age group
• The video must be recent (no older than 6 months at the time of submission)
•  The video must not contain any reference to the participant's name (including subtitles or on-screen text)
• The video must clearly show the performer's face and hands 
• The recording must be submitted via YouTube 
• No simplified arrangements are allowed.

• For all Strings Duo and Strings Trio categories, the application must be submitted by one primary registrant on behalf of the entire ensemble
• The primary registrant is responsible for providing all required information for every ensemble member and for ensuring that the submitted information is complete and accurate
•  The ensemble application and the corresponding account are linked to the email address provided by the primary registrant
• The same email address may be used for multiple individual categories of the same participant, including categories with orchestra (e.g. Piano Solo and Piano Solo with Orchestra)
• Each ensemble registration requires a separate email address. The same email address cannot be used for two different ensemble registrations, including participation by the same ensemble in both a regular and an orchestral category (e.g. Piano Duet and Piano Duet with Orchestra)
• If a participant is registered both individually and as part of an ensemble, the ensemble registration must use a different email address from the participant's individual registration. 
• The same participant may not be registered as a member of more than one different duet or more than one different trio within the same category
• Participation in different competition categories is permitted. For example, the same participant may compete in Piano Duet and Piano Duet with Orchestra, or in Piano Trio and Piano Trio with Orchestra.

• Grand Prix winners are automatically invited to perform at the Winners' Concert on April 10, 2027
• Selected First Prize winners with the highest scores may also be invited
• The piece to be performed at the Gala Concert is selected by the jury
• First Prize winners who are not invited to perform will be awarded a medal and diploma
  
  
  Please first consult the FAQ section. If your question is not answered, contact: info@icmceurope.com