PAL Research Guide

Sony Music Foundation has been presenting the competition since 1985. It has established a reputation as a unique competition solely dedicated to the oboe, with past winners becoming international music figures as soloists or principal oboists in the world-renowned orchestras.

The International Trumpet Guild (ITG) sponsors several ongoing competitions and contests that offer cash prizes and scholarships.
Official rules supersede the brief descriptions on this page and are made available for download below early in the fall semester.

For string players ages 16-30. Entrants will submit a videotaped performance of two contrasting movements of a work written by J.S. Bach for unaccompanied string instrument (Sonatas, Partitas or Suites).

The competition alternates biennially between cello and violin. Age 18 to 30

Since 1983 BISQC has celebrated the art of chamber music while providing career support for emerging string quartets. With the largest prizes in chamber music and a dedicated audience, a once in a lifetime experience unfolds for all in attendance. Outstanding music, enlightening lectures, engaging conversations, and spectacular mountain vistas.

Violinists of all nationalities who are not older than 28 years of age at the date of the registration deadline are entitled to participate. The decisive date for this is the date of birth specified in the terms and conditions for the respective Competition. Violinists whose teachers are on the jury of the International Violin Competition Stuttgart are excluded from entry.

We are seeking inquisitive minds who demonstrate an impeccable command of their instrument while remaining humble servants of great composers and their scores, young artists who bravely strive for individuality, making bold musical statements with the violin: Musicians whose voice inspires deep emotions and shows an exceptional degree of versatility.

Open to singers of any nationality, at the beginning of their professional career, who will have probably studied at a conservatoire of music or equivalent.

The exciting experience of NATS Student Auditions, where singers perform and receive written feedback, includes national levels of student auditions and prizes.

The Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition is a program designed to discover promising young opera singers and assist in the development of their careers. The Auditions take place in 39 Districts and 11 Regions throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico.

Since 1982 the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition is one of the world's best networked singing competition with qualifying rounds in more than 70 cities worldwide each year. The singers are judged by a jury consisting of artistic and casting directors from the world's most prestigious opera houses.

The Competition celebrates the art of the song recital and honours the Lied’s place at the heart of the genre. The Competition has grown in status and prestige since its foundation in 1997 and continues to attract international singers and pianists keen to embark on significant recital careers.

The Cooper-Bing is an internationally recognized vocal competition that has celebrated and supported emerging young artists in opera. Dubbed “The Olympics of Opera”, this competition encourages talent, creates artistic opportunity, and helps welcome the next generation into the professional opera community. Five finalists compete for the grand prize of $10,000!

The Mirjam Helin International Singing Competition is one of the world’s leading singing competitions. The Mirjam Helin competition is known for demanding a broad repertoire (Baroque music, Lied, opera) while at the same time allowing great liberty in the choice of music. The programme does not include any obligatory compositions or composers. The Semifinals do, however, include a song by a Finnish composer.

he Jensen Foundation auditions America's most promising young opera singers to perform in its Finals Competition. Singers compete for more than $40,000 in awards, including $15,000 for First Place.

A unique international theater singing contest that emphasizes wide-ranging repertoire and the acting of songs and arias within a dramatic context. The competition recognizes talented young singer/actors who are dramatically and musically convincing in repertoire ranging from opera/operetta to contemporary Broadway scores, including the works of Kurt Weill.

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir announces its 15th annual Holiday Carol Commission Competition as part of its commitment to the future of choral music. Submitted works must be original, unpublished, and have not been publicly performed; between 3 and 5 minutes long; written for SATB, mixed adult choir; and may be a cappella or utilize keyboard accompaniment. Composers 35 years of age or younger (as of December 1, 2024) who are United States citizens or legal residents may submit one composition via email (PDF) to the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir by 11:59 p.m. (EST), May 31, 2024.

The AGO/ECS Publishing Award is now held in alternate years and attracts a wide variety of submissions. The competition seeks outstanding compositions for SATB chorus and organ in which the organ plays a distinctive and significant role; requirements vary for each competition.

The winning composer receives a $12,000 commission for a major new work for youth orchestra. The work will be performed by a consortium of performers to be announced.

The National Musical Theatre Competition (NMTC) was launched in 2011 as the first national competition for the emerging professional musical theatre soloist.

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The three-tiered Junior, Senior and Young Artist Performance Competitions begin with state competitions. The winners/representatives of each state's competitions advance to a video-only division competition. Division winners compete in the national finals at the annual MTNA National Conference.

American Protégé offers a variety of International Music Competitions and song contests for different music genres, instruments and levels of applicants’ qualification.

The Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) offer opportunities for the discovery, creation, performance and celebration of excellence in music composition by awarding three prize packages each valued at $200,000 CAD: The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, the Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music and the Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music.

International Music Competition culminating in a Winners Concert in NYC. Categories include Voice (Classical and Popular), Piano, Strings, Winds/Brass, Original Composition, and Ensembles, in three age groups: Youth, Teen, & Adult
(no age limit.)

The American Prize: Providing evaluation, recognition, reward to America's finest performing artists, ensembles and composers, directors, based on recorded performances. Professional, college/university, community, high school. No age limits. No live competition.

Rotates on a four-year cycle: Voice; Piano; Strings; Winds and Brass

Founded in 1973 in South Bend, IN, USA, the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition has grown to become the largest chamber music competition in the world, and one of the most prestigious classical music prizes attainable today. Over $60,000 worth of prizes are awarded across four divisions during the course of the three-day Competition.

The invitation to participate in this competition is extended to young musicians, who are ready to launch an international career. Piano • Strings • Voice (Munich)

Founded in 1939, the Geneva Competition is one of the world’s leading international music competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting and supporting young talented artists, giving them the necessary tools to launch an international career.