Rules and Conditions
The competition categories
- Piano solo
- Piano as additional instrument
- Strings solo: violin, viola, cello, double bass
- Woodwinds solo: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone
- Brass solo: french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, saxhorn
- Harp solo (pedal & lever)
- Percussion instruments: mallet instruments and snare drum, timpani (starting from group C), drum kit, ethnic percussion
- Jazz performance (Instrumental and vocal)
- Ensemble (each subcategory is assessed separately):
— Classical duo, trio, quartet, quintet
— Piano duo
— Other instrumental and vocal ensembles of any kind (for types of ensembles, contact the competition's organizing committee before filling in the application form)
— Children's and youth orchestras (symphonic, chamber, wind, folk instruments) - Accompaniment (For the category "Accompaniment" age is not limited)
Age groups / maximum time limit
Age groups are determined by the age of the participant as of June 3, 2025
Solo
| Age group | Maximum age | Maximum playing time |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: | up to 9 years old | up to 9 min |
| Group B: | up to 12 years old | up to 15 minutes |
| Group C: | up to 15 years old | up to 20 minutes |
| Group D: | up to 19 years old | up to 25 minutes |
| Group E: | up to 26 years old | up to 30 minutes |
| Group F: | up to 35 years old | up to 30 minutes |
Ensemble
| Age group | Maximum age | Maximum playing time |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1: | up to 13 years old | up to 15 min |
| Group 2: | up to 18 years old | up to 20 min |
| Group 3: | up to 26 years old | up to 30 min |
| Group 4: | up to 35 years old | up to 30 min |
The age group for ensembles / orchestras is determined by the average age of the ensemble members. Ensembles of 3 participants up to 14 participants are allowed the presence on stage of a non-competing adult accompanist (piano player). Ensembles / orchestras of 15 or more participants are allowed the presence on stage of an adult accompanist and / or conductor in a non-playing capacity.
Competition Performance procedure
The competition is held in three rounds, where the jury examines the videos sent by the participants in the form of YouTube links (see the section Recordings rules). The video recording must not be older than 12 months before the competition.
1. The first round is the qualifying round. It is seen by a reduced jury group, that decides which participants advance to the second round. Participants who do not advance to the second round will receive a certificate of participation.
2. The entries, which have advanced to the second round (that is considered to be the main round), are seen by the entire jury divided into specialized groups consisting of at least five people. The links to the videos from the participants in the second round are published on their personal pages on the competition's website. The jury selects winners of first, second, and third prizes as well as recipients of diplomas.
3. In the third and final round, only the winners of first prizes will participate. The Organizing Committee publishes a selection of the winning entries from each category and age group. The video is watched by representatives of the jury from each category, and each of them votes for one of the participants, regardless of the instrument. The Grand Prix is awarded if one of the participants gains 50 or more percent of the vote.
Diplomas and certificates are sent to all participants in the form of scanned documents to the email address specified in the application.
The jury consists of reputable performing musicians and teachers from Sweden, USA, Germany, Russia, Belgium, Latvia, Austria, Georgia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Norway. All decisions of the jury are final.
Repertoire requirements
Two to four free choice compositions of contrasting styles. Style contrasts are for example, different time periods/epochs of music and/or music written by composers from different countries of different character. In groups C, D, E, F, the program must include at least one composition from the era of classicism / romanticism
For category "Percussion instruments":
Mallet instruments and snare drum:
Group A — two compositions for marimba, vibraphone, xylophone or snare drum.
Group B — one composition for marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, and another piece for snare drum unaccompanied.
Group C — two compositions for marimba, vibraphone or xylophone, and one more for snare drum (one of the pieces for mallet instrument and one for snare drum — unaccompanied).
Groups D, E, F — from two to four compositions, the program must include at least one four-mallet piece for marimba or vibraphone and one piece for a snare drum (both must be unaccompanied).
Timpani:
Group C — any two compositions of the participant's choice.
Groups D, E, F — at least two, maximum four pieces of different characters.
Drum kit:
Groups A, B — any two compositions of the participant's choice.
Groups C, D, E, F — at least two, maximum four pieces of different styles.
Ethnic percussion:
Groups A, B — any two compositions of the participant's choice.
Groups C, D, E, F — at least two, maximum four pieces of the participant's choice.
Awards
All participants receive prizes, diplomas and certificates.
Special prizes
- Cash prizes for the winners in group E and F solo and group 3 and 4 ensembles (prize fund — SEK 50,000).
- Award for the best performance of a work by a Swedish composer.