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Regulations

A. The Brahms International Online Music Competition is open to classical musicians of all ages from all over the world.

B. The Competition is based on online video submission (travel is not required).

C. Participation in the Preliminary Round is free of charge.

D. Participants who make it to the Final Round will be required to pay an administrative fee of 87,5 euros. This fee is non-refundable.

E. Competition schedule:

  • Entries accepted until: 20 June 2025
  • Preliminary Round: 21-23 June
  • Notification of results (Preliminary Round): 24 June
  • Acceptance of entries for the Final Round: 24 to 28 June
  • Final Round: 29 June to 4 July
  • Announcement of Results: 5 July 2025

F. Competition Categories:

  • Soloist
    *all instruments and voice types
  • Composer
  • Conductor
  • Chamber Ensemble

G. Competition Age Groups:

*Age groups apply to solo instrumentalists ONLY. The age of the participant on the date of the application deadline is determining.

  • A: 7 years old or less
  • B: 8-9 years old
  • C: 10-11 years old
  • D: 12-13 years old
  • E: 14-15 years old
  • F: 16-17 years old
  • G: 18-20 years old
  • H: 21-25 years old
  • I: 26 years old and above

H. Video requirements

  • The repertoire is free to choose.
  • Minimum duration: 1 minute
  • Maximum duration: 25 minutes (if longer, the jury will listen to an excerpt)
  • Soloists/ensembles: performers must be visible
  • Composers: audio is sufficient. A score is welcome but not mandatory. Both live performance and by computer program are accepted
  • Conductors: silhouette from the waist up must be visible
  • Upload your video to YouTube or similar platform. Make sure it is not private. Recommended setting: “unlisted” or “public”.

I. Judging Procedure:

  • Competitors will be judged by a jury of world-class musicians (teachers, experts, performers). In order to maintain impartiality, the names of the jury members will not be made public.
  • A juror will not judge a contestant who turns out to be his or her student.
  • The minimum number of judges per category is 3.
  • The decisions of the judges are final and irrevocable.
  • Scoring according to each award:

ABSOLUTE WINNER (score 97-100)
Platinum Award (scores 90-96)
Gold Award (scores 80-89)
Silver Award (points 70-79)
Bronze Award (scores 60-69)
and Honorable Mentions (scores below 70/100)

J. Prizes

The following Prizes will be awarded: ABSOLUTE WINNER (score 97-100), Platinum Prize (scoring 90-96), Gold Prize (scoring 80-89), Silver Prize (scoring 70-79), Bronze Prize (scoring 60-69), Honorable Mentions (below 70 points).

  • 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 their photo and video posted in Winner’s gallery in Universal Music Society website
    will have created posters for their personal use, containing their photo and achievements
    receive their diploma in ready to print format
  • Platinum Awards:
    will have links to their winning video on our website
    will have their names listed on Universal Music Society website
    will have their photo posted on the „Results” page
    receive their diploma in ready to print format
  • Gold Awards:
    will be listed on the „Results” page
    receive their Gold Prize Diploma diploma in ready to print format
  • Silver and Bronze Awards:
    receive their diplomas in ready to print format
    will be listed on the „Results” page
  • Honorable Mentions:
    receive their Honorable Mention diploma in ready to print format
    will be listed on the „Results” page

All winners can also request diplomas for their teachers.

K. Disclaimer

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

The organisers reserve the right to change the regulations if necessary. Any changes will be communicated to registered participants as soon as possible.

By registering, I agree to receive emails from the Universal Maestro Society. I understand that these messages may include updates, newsletters, event notifications and other information related to the activities of the Society. I understand that I may unsubscribe from these emails at any time by following the instructions in the emails.