Categories & Requirements
The VanBach International Music Competition is open to every musician from all over the world in the classical categories of Piano, Strings, Voice, Winds, Brass, Conducting, Composition & Chamber Music.
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New Category : 00. Creative Video
Free choice of 1 piece only. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
Examples of "creative" videos include, but are not limited to:
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An MV that presents your visual storytelling skills.
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A multi-track performance showcasing your exceptional talent.
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Your music performance synchronized with video footage featuring images, artwork, or illustrations created by you.
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Your music performance along with your imaginative video creations.
The Winners in this 00. category will receive an additional Beeffie Art & Music Awards e-certificate, and will be listed on the Beeffie Creative Musical Artists page.
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01. Prodigy (Age 7 and younger)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 7 minutes.
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02. Junior (Age 8-10)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 7 minutes.
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03. Youth (Age 11-13)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 10 minutes.
04. Young Artist (Age 14-17)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 12 minutes.
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05. Advanced (Age 18-22)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
06. Professional (No age limit)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 20 minutes.
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07. Baroque A (Under Age 17) / B (Over Age 17)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces written in the Baroque period. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
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08. Classical A (Under Age 17) / B (Over Age 17)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces written in the Classical period. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
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09. Romantic A (Under Age 17) / B (Over Age 17)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces written in the Romantic period. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
10. Modern A (Under Age 17) / B (Over Age 17)
Free choice of 1 or more pieces written after the year 1900. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
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11. Own composition
Free choice of 1 or more pieces written by candidates themselves. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes.
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12. Duo Performance
Open to all instrumental duos, or piano 4 hands. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes, 1 or more pieces.
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13. Chamber Group
Open to chamber group of 3-10 players. ​Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes, 1 or more pieces.
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14. National Music
Open to traditional/national instruments/singing styles in different countries. Video duration: no longer than 15 minutes, 1 or more pieces.
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15. Concerto
Free choice of 1 movement, or a whole concerto. Video duration: no longer than 30 minutes Concerto can be accompanied by orchestra/piano/audio.
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16. Sonata
1 or 1 movement of a sonata. Video duration: no longer than 10 minutes.
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17. Etude
Free choice of 1 Etude. Video duration: no longer than 10 minutes.
18. Musical theatre
Free choice of 1 or more pieces. Video duration: no longer than 10 minutes.
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19. Film/Game music
Free choice of 1 work created by the candidate.
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The competition age is determined by the candidate's age on the day of the application deadline.
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Requirement FAQ
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Q: Do I need to show my hand in the video?
A: For instrumentalists, the hands and face of the performer must be visible in the video; For singers, the face of the performer must be visible; This requirement does not apply to composers.
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Q: Can I use Audio background for accompaniment if I can't find an accompanist?
A:​ Yes, you can use the audio background music for accompaniment.
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Q: Can I use the same piece/video for multiple categories?
A: Yes. As long as the chosen piece meets the requirement of the categories.
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Q: Can I have several pieces in one link? Can there be a gap between the pieces?
You can send only one link to your performance, it can include several pieces, pauses are allowed. This means if you are willing to submit a few small pieces, you can combine them into a longer video.
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Q: Can I play more instruments in one video?
A: You can only play one musical instrument for each application. An additional musical instrument will need to be submitted as another application.
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Q: If I am a composer, can I submit my piece performed by other performers?
A: Yes.
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