ARTISTS OF THE YEAR
Performers and composers of the year who received grand, first prize with honors, first prize, second prize, third prize, Honorable Mention and Merit Awards during the calendar year January through November, are invited to compete in this end of the year competition to establish ABSOLUTE WINNERS per age category and per instrument.
Since 2022, the format is different due to the lifting of travel restrictions and post-COVID situation, and thus a greater focus on the prize winners' recitals allow for an in-person experience and awards (medals, trophies, and printed certificates) to be made only in-person.
The PRIZE WINNERS' RECITAL for all winners of our 2022 competitions was held on 3 September 2023 in New York City, USA, in The DiMenna Center for Classical Music. The 2024 New York Recital is planned for around the same time.
Due to the past two years' difficulties of travel, long visa appointment wait times and vaccination requirements, we will continue to extend eligibility for our musicians. Therefore, in fairness to musicians all past winners may still apply for the 2024 Prize Winners recitals.
An all-round winner (absolute winner), first and second runner up per age category and per instrument (based on numerical score) will be selected during our December 2023 Artists of the Year competition.
All participants will still receive our regular report with a score, comments and e-certificate per age category.
Grand Prize (100%),
First Prize with Honors (98% and 99%)
First Prize (95-97%),
Second Prize (90-94%),
Third Prize (85-89%),
Honorable Mention (80-84%),
Merit (<80%)
CATEGORIES
PERFORMANCE
1. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Piano
2. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Keyboards (organ, electone, harpsichord, etc.)
3. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Strings
4. Instrumental: Harp or Guitar
5. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Wind instruments
6. Instrumental Solo and duo: Brass instruments
7. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Percussion
8. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Traditional and World Instruments
9. Vocal Solo and Duo
10. Chamber/Ensemble (3-10 performers)
11. Choirs (11 or more performers)
12. Instrumental Large Groups: band, orchestra, jazz combos, etc. (11 or more performers)
13. Instrumental and Vocal Large groups mix (11 or more performers)
COMPOSITION
1. Vocal and Choral Music
2. Instrumental Music (up to 10 parts)
3. Symphonic/Band Music (11 or more parts)
4. Electronic Music
5. Multi-media/ Installation Art Music/Avant Garde
6. Other
GENERAL RULES
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
1. One repertoire piece, own choice - open repertoire. If your video has more than one piece on it, only the first piece on the video will be judged.
2. In the case of a very lengthy single piece, the jury will listen to only the first 10 minutes. Your video may be longer, but only the first 10 minutes will be considered for judging.
3. Only single movements of sonatas or concerti.
Prelude & Fugue or Toccata & Fugue may be presented as a pair.
You may present a whole suite/partita but keep in mind only the first 10 minutes will be judged. You may present a selection of movements from a suite.
You may present a concerto movement but MUST have piano reduction or live orchestral accompaniment (no back tracks please).
Theme and Variations works must be presented as a whole (do not present a selection of variations).
4. Composers: You may enter any work of your choice in any format.
AGE CATEGORIES
Young Musicians: age 7 and younger
Junior 1: age 8 and 9
Junior 2: ages 10 to 13
Senior: ages 14 to 18
Collegiate: age 19 to 26
Open: 27+
Mixed: Mixed ages (applicable to duos etc where there are more than one age group represented)
Your age as on the first of the month, December 1st.
ENTER December 1 - 31.
Online entry form will be placed on the "Apply Now" page of this website.
Laureates announced January 25-27.
Laureates posted to our website and media on January 28.
Entry fee $50 (flat rate, no extra charge for number of players)
Performers and composers of the year who received grand, first prize with honors, first prize, second prize, third prize, Honorable Mention and Merit Awards during the calendar year January through November, are invited to compete in this end of the year competition to establish ABSOLUTE WINNERS per age category and per instrument.
Since 2022, the format is different due to the lifting of travel restrictions and post-COVID situation, and thus a greater focus on the prize winners' recitals allow for an in-person experience and awards (medals, trophies, and printed certificates) to be made only in-person.
The PRIZE WINNERS' RECITAL for all winners of our 2022 competitions was held on 3 September 2023 in New York City, USA, in The DiMenna Center for Classical Music. The 2024 New York Recital is planned for around the same time.
Due to the past two years' difficulties of travel, long visa appointment wait times and vaccination requirements, we will continue to extend eligibility for our musicians. Therefore, in fairness to musicians all past winners may still apply for the 2024 Prize Winners recitals.
An all-round winner (absolute winner), first and second runner up per age category and per instrument (based on numerical score) will be selected during our December 2023 Artists of the Year competition.
- In the solo/duo and composition categories winners will receive medals ONLY at the in-person prize winners' recital.
- In the group categories (bands, choirs, ensembles, etc.) ONE plaque per whole group will be awarded ONLY at the in-person prize winners' recital.
All participants will still receive our regular report with a score, comments and e-certificate per age category.
Grand Prize (100%),
First Prize with Honors (98% and 99%)
First Prize (95-97%),
Second Prize (90-94%),
Third Prize (85-89%),
Honorable Mention (80-84%),
Merit (<80%)
CATEGORIES
PERFORMANCE
1. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Piano
2. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Keyboards (organ, electone, harpsichord, etc.)
3. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Strings
4. Instrumental: Harp or Guitar
5. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Wind instruments
6. Instrumental Solo and duo: Brass instruments
7. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Percussion
8. Instrumental Solo and Duo: Traditional and World Instruments
9. Vocal Solo and Duo
10. Chamber/Ensemble (3-10 performers)
11. Choirs (11 or more performers)
12. Instrumental Large Groups: band, orchestra, jazz combos, etc. (11 or more performers)
13. Instrumental and Vocal Large groups mix (11 or more performers)
COMPOSITION
1. Vocal and Choral Music
2. Instrumental Music (up to 10 parts)
3. Symphonic/Band Music (11 or more parts)
4. Electronic Music
5. Multi-media/ Installation Art Music/Avant Garde
6. Other
GENERAL RULES
- Entry by invitation only. You will receive an email invitation but the online entry form will also be available on our website under "Apply Now" on December 1st. You may proceed to enter on the online form (without email invitation) but you will be required to state which IYMC month's competition you competed in to confirm the eligibility of your entry. An open category for any registrant (whether you performed in an IYMC competition during the year or not) will be available, but such an entry will not be in the running for the Absolute Winner.
- Your entry may be the same piece you submitted earlier during the year OR you may make a new video with a new repertoire piece.
- You will have to submit proof of age on your application form.
- You will submit a video link to your YouTube performance.
- Your best possible video and sound quality will be to your advantage. Professional videos are not required, but keep in mind that if your video sound is echoing, unclear, and indistinct it is impossible for a jury member to make an accurate evaluation. We must be able to hear your performance well. It is also to your advantage to perform on a well-tuned instrument.
- Memorization is recommended (not for orchestra and categories of chamber/large ensembles, etc.).
REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS
1. One repertoire piece, own choice - open repertoire. If your video has more than one piece on it, only the first piece on the video will be judged.
2. In the case of a very lengthy single piece, the jury will listen to only the first 10 minutes. Your video may be longer, but only the first 10 minutes will be considered for judging.
3. Only single movements of sonatas or concerti.
Prelude & Fugue or Toccata & Fugue may be presented as a pair.
You may present a whole suite/partita but keep in mind only the first 10 minutes will be judged. You may present a selection of movements from a suite.
You may present a concerto movement but MUST have piano reduction or live orchestral accompaniment (no back tracks please).
Theme and Variations works must be presented as a whole (do not present a selection of variations).
4. Composers: You may enter any work of your choice in any format.
AGE CATEGORIES
Young Musicians: age 7 and younger
Junior 1: age 8 and 9
Junior 2: ages 10 to 13
Senior: ages 14 to 18
Collegiate: age 19 to 26
Open: 27+
Mixed: Mixed ages (applicable to duos etc where there are more than one age group represented)
Your age as on the first of the month, December 1st.
ENTER December 1 - 31.
Online entry form will be placed on the "Apply Now" page of this website.
Laureates announced January 25-27.
Laureates posted to our website and media on January 28.
Entry fee $50 (flat rate, no extra charge for number of players)
