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2025 INFORMATION COMING SOON!!

2025
MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL
PIANO and STRINGS FESTIVAL 
COMPETITION
online edition

Applications Open Soon

Widely recognised as one of Australia’s most prestigious classical music festivals, the Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival attracts young gifted musicians from around the world each year and features a stellar teaching faculty and competition jury.  

We are delighted to announce the 2025 Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival Competition (online edition), where students will have the opportunity to submit videos of their performance to the MIPSF jury to showcase their talent.  Top performers from the competition may also receive a special invitation to participate in future IAMUSICA events  

Competition

ONLINE COMPETITION 

**Deadline for Entries: SUNDAY 20th JULY 2025**

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
  • Accepted Instruments: Piano and Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass)

  • Age restrictions: Age calculated as of 20th July, 2025.

  • Location: Online - Global - musicians from all corners of the world! 

  • ENTRY VIA VIDEO RECORDING

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

PIANO

COMPETITION CATEGORIES

STRINGS

  • Open Strings Solo - no age limit one work - up to 12 minutes   ​​​
  • Senior Strings Solo - 18 years and under - ​one workup to 8 minutes
  • Intermediate Strings Solo - 13 years and under one work - up to 6 minutes
  • Junior Strings Solo - 8 years and under one work - up to 4 minutes
  • Open Strings Duo/Trio/Quartet - no age limit one work - up to 12 minutes   ​​​​
  • Senior Strings Duo/Trio/Quartet - 18 years and under - ​one workup to 8 minutes 
  • Intermediate Strings Duo/Trio/Quartet - 13 years and under  - one work - up to 6 minutes 
  • Junior Strings Duo/Trio/Quartet - 8 years and under one work - up to 4 minutes
*NB: Duo/Trio/Quartet may be of any combination of stringed instruments only, e.g. two violins, violin/viola/cello, four double basses etc. 

COMPETITION RULES & REGULATIONS

Key Points
  • You will need to record then submit a link to a video of your performance.

  • You will need to provide proof of age, such as a copy of your passport, ID card etc.

  • You must also supply a portrait publicity photo and a performer biography (maximum 50 words).

  • All applications must be submitted by 11.59pm, SUNDAY 20th JULY 2025 (Melbourne, Australia time).

  • Age is calculated as at 20 July 2025, i.e. if you turn 13 on this day, you are eligible for the Intermediate section and above, but, if you turn 14 on this day, you are eligible for Senior and Open sections only.

  • All prizewinners will be notified of the competition outcome via email by Sunday 7th September 2025 and will receive an electronic certificate issued by IAMUSICA via email.

  • All other participants will be notified via IAMUSICA newsletter in September.

  • Top selected candidates may be invited to participate in future IAMUSICA activities.

Application Information

  • The repertoire presented must adhere to the time limit specified in the Categories Information above. Entries will be penalised if the submission exceeds the total allocated time.

  • The video does not need to be professionally recorded, but must show clearly the performer performing the instrument.

  • The video must be unedited, i.e., the performance recording should be made in a single take.

  • The video should have been recorded within the last twelve months.

  • String players are expected to submit videos with a live accompanist (if required). 

  • Applicants may submit as many pieces as they wish in each age category - each piece will require a separate entry.

  • An applicant may enter into an older age category, i.e. a 15-year-old competitor may enter the Senior Category (18 years and under) and the Open category but must submit a separate application for each Age Category.

  • There is no age limit for the Open category. This category is open to everyone, including teachers.

  • A candidate may replace a video already submitted as long as it is before the closing date.  However the new submission will incur a new application fee and no refund will be given for the earlier submission.  Candidates must also inform the Melbourne International Piano and Strings Festival of any replacement videos by email (office@iamusica.org), following the submission of the new application form.

  • Applicants are permitted to submit a single movement or select movements from a multi-movement work as long as it does not exceed the maximum total duration allowed for the section.

  • Applicants for the piano sections must only present solo works (i.e. no concerti or accompanied works).

  • Entries may submit multiple applications on the same application form, or on different application forms, as long as they are received before the closing date.

  • All videos must be uploaded to an online platform (e.g. Youtube, Google Drive, Youku etc.) and the link included in the application form.  Videos need to remain available for viewing until 31 December 2025.

  • All videos may be downloaded and stored for judging, review, and promotion purposes.

 
General and Judging Rules
  • In these rules and regulations, the word “Committee” shall mean “The Management Committee of the International Academy of Musical Arts”.

  • The Committee reserves the right to determine the status of any competitor and the application and interpretation of these rules.

  • The Committee reserves the right to invite some or all of the first-prize winners and any other candidates from the competition to participate in IAMUSICA events.

  • The Committee reserves the right to amend the program at any time, such as vary or cancel any competitive sections, award equal/no/special prizes, or replace jury members. 

  • The decision of the jury is final and cannot be disputed. All applications will be reviewed by at least one jury member.

  • Jury members are not allowed to judge current students or former students in the past two years (excluding from masterclasses and festivals). In the event that a former or current student of a jury member has applied, they will be judged by other jury members.

  • Jury members reserve the right to view all or part of any video applications.

  • IAMUSICA reserves the right to appoint and/or replace jury members as required.

  • The International Academy of Musical Arts respects diversity and the competition does not discriminate based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or political association.

  • The participant grants the International Academy of Musical Arts broadcast rights to film, photograph, record, broadcast, live stream, reproduce, transmit, and show via different media platforms and channels for the purpose of promoting the current and future programs in Australia and internationally.  

Enrolment Fee

  • Application fee is $70AUD per video. (A processing fee may apply.)
    Please note - for any applicants having any difficulties with the application process, or are from regions where Paypal/credit card payment system is unavailable, please email office@iamusica.org for assistance.

Applications Open Soon

2025 COMPETITION JURY

We are delighted to have a formidable international competition jury for the 2025 Competition. Seasoned professionals, each member has decades of experience as both performer and pedagogue internationally. You can find out more about them by clicking their name or photo.

  • Open Piano Solo - no age limit one work - up to 12 minutes   
  • Senior Piano Solo - 18 years and under - one workup to 8 minutes
  • Intermediate Piano Solo - 13 years and under one work - up to 6 minutes
  • Junior Piano Solo - 8 years and under one work - up to 4 minutes
  • Open Piano Ensemble - no age limit one work - up to 12 minutes   
  • Senior Piano Ensemble - 18 years and under - one workup to 8 minutes
  • Intermediate Piano Ensemble - 13 years and under  - one work - up to 6 minutes
  • Junior Piano Ensemble - 8 years and under one work - up to 4 minutes
 
*NB: Piano Ensemble refers to any performance with multiple pianists, from one piano four hands upwards. 

FESTIVAL SPONSORS AND PARTNERS

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