International Piano and Strings Competition 2024
The American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition is open to school students and adults of all nationalities and countries. All instruments, including piano, strings, voice and winds are welcome to participate in the Competition.
Participants are required to submit video recording materials for the audition. Multiple winners will be chosen in each age category.
We invite school students and adults to participate in the Competition. There is no age limit for the adult participants.
Eligibility
Multiple winners will be chosen in each of the following age groups:
| School Students: | Adults (18 and older): |
| Young Musicians, 5 - 10 | Amateur without professional degree |
| Junior, 11 - 14 | College Students and Professional Musicians |
| Intermediate, 15 - 18 |
18 year old school students must enter in the Intermediate Category. 18 year old college students must apply under the College Students/Professionals Category.
Awards
Since the situation with COVID-19 Global Health Crisis is still uncertain, winners will be offered to perform at the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in May – June 2024, on the dates to be announced, or to receive a Winner’s Package by mail.
Judges’ Distinction Award and other Special Awards may be granted based on the judges’ recommendations.
Judges
Four qualified judges will evaluate audition materials. All judges are independent; their students are not allowed to apply this season. Dr. Sophya Genis is invited as a Chairwoman of the Competition 2024. A graduate of the Gnessin Academy of Music, Mrs. Genis holds a Doctor of Music Arts Degree. She studied piano with such renowned professors as Alexander Yoheles, Yakov Milstein and Yakov Zak.
How to Apply
To apply for the Competition participants must submit:
1. Completed online Application Form.
2. YouTube (or other video sharing sites) link to the video recordings of the performance.
3. Biography of the applicant in MS Word format (not to exceed 150 words). Include past participation in competitions, festivals and other public events. Portrait photo in electronic format, to be used for the Competition brochure printing. Examples could be found in the Recital Booklet Sample.
4. Biography and photo should be uploaded with an application form or e-mailed to info@americanprotege.com.
5. Application fee.
Mailing Address
American Protégé, P.O. Box 287476, New York, NY 10128
For express shipping services please use the following street address: American Protege, Attn: Irina Ionova, 245 East 93rd Street, #22E, New York, NY 10128.
Application Deadline
Application materials acceptance will be closed by the end of the day on January 20, 2024.
Application Fee for solo performers is $200 for one audition piece. Second audition piece (no time limit) can be accepted with an additional $50 fee.
Application fee for Duo and Trio is $150 per Ensemble Member.
Application Fees are not refundable.
U. S. participants should make a check or money order payable to American Protégé and mail to American Protégé, P.O. Box 287476, New York, NY 10128. A PayPal options could be used with an additional fee to cover PayPal service charge.
International participants may use:
– Certified bank check or international money order payable to American Protégé. International participants must use express shipping services and provide the tracking number.
– PayPal payment option (buttons to the right). Additional fee will be added to cover PayPal service charge.
By clicking on “Pay Now” button you will be re-directed to PayPal
1. Age category and time limit for the application video recording of the first piece:
| Category | Age | Performance Time limit |
| Young Musicians | 5 – 10 | not to exceed 5 minutes |
| Junior | 11 – 14 | not to exceed 6 minutes |
| Intermediate | 15 – 18 | not to exceed 6 minutes |
| Amateur | 19 and up | not to exceed 6 minutes |
| College Students and Professional Musicians | 18 and up | not to exceed 6 minutes |
Second audition piece (no time limit) can be accepted for an additional $50 fee.
Extra performance time up to 1 minute can be accepted for the Winners Recital with $100 additional fee.
2. Repertoire Requirements:
Applicant may choose one or two pieces from the standard repertoire (Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Contemporary periods).
One fast movement of Sonata or Sonatina could be accepted as a separate piece.
First (required) piece will be included into the Recital program if the participant is selected as a winner.
Only one piece could be performed at the Winners Recital. Set of different works is not acceptable for the Winners Recital.
Only original pieces will be accepted for pianists, no shortened versions.
3. Only un-edited video can be accepted for the audition (parts of video connected together or video clips are not acceptable).
4. Video recordings should be a fair representation of the Contestant’s abilities, but need not be of a professional quality. Applicant’s name and exact title of the audition piece must be included in the description of the video on YouTube (Vimeo, etc.).
5. Contestants must perform from memory. No repeats. Music for the ensembles does not have to be memorized.
6. Judges comments will not be disclosed. Judges’ decisions are final and can’t be appealed.
7. First Prize Winners may not submit the same audition program for the following season.
8. The final selection of winners will be based solely on the video recordings submitted.
9. Winners of the Competition will perform one piece from the participant’s audition repertoire.
10. No changes to biographical information are allowed after the application is submitted.
11. Each participant will be notified about the Competition results after the Chairwoman releases the Competition placements. Winners list will be published on the American Protégé web-site on February 28, 2024.
12. The Certificates will be granted to the performing winners only, after the Winners Recital. Winners who have chosen not to participate in the Winners Recital for any reason may be disqualified.
13. In addition to the Competition Rules, American Protégé General Policy provisions apply to all applicants and winners. Please read carefully American Protégé Policy before applying to the Competition.
1. Each participant will be notified about the Competition results after the Chairwoman releases the Competition placements. Each Winner will perform at one Recital. Recital date and time will be offered to the Winner based on the Competition results.
2. To change a performance repertoire, a $55 fee must be submitted on the Contact Us page no later than two months prior to the Recital.
3. Extra performance time of up to 1 minute can be accepted for the Winners Recital with an additional fee of $100.
4. Only piano accompaniment can be used at the Winners Recital. Only one grand piano will be available at the Weill Recital Hall. No acoustic system will be provided.
5. Participants must bring their own piano accompanist. American Protégé does not provide piano accompanist, but can recommend one (contact the office).
6. Organizational Committee collects short biographies to introduce the performers at the Winners Recitals. American Protégé reserves the rights to edit, reduce and re-format any submitted biographies as it seems appropriate and fit into the Recital Brochure.
7. All participants are responsible for their own expenses (travel, housing accommodations, etc.).
8. During the COVID-19 Health Crisis, U.S. participants, who are unable to or unwilling to travel to NYC for the health safety reasons or due to other restrictions, may request a Competition Winner’s Package with a non-refundable $300 fee. The Package includes online recognition, Winner’s Certificate, Teacher’s Diploma, four Booklets with biographies and photos, and participation Plaque Trophy. International participants may arrange a shipment to the friends or relatives residing in the U.S. We do not mail packages internationally.
9. All fees are not refundable.
10. Photography and video/audio recording is not permitted for audience at Carnegie Hall.
11. Detailed Winners Recital Guidelines will be emailed to the participants.