Applications Open for New €100,000 World Vision Music Contest

Open to string, piano and harp soloists, the inaugural new-format online competition will be hosted at regional and national stages, followed by international semi-final and final rounds

Open to international violinists, violists, cellists, double bassists, pianists, and harpists between the ages of 16 and 35 years old, the first prize winner will receive €100,000 as well as fully subsidized concerts at the Philharmonie Berlin, Carnegie Hall, and Zaryadye Hall.

The competition will also hold a division for junior violinists, violists, cellists, double bassists, pianists, and harpists between the ages of 9 and 15 years old — in addition to a category for composers.

“We had a very ambitious goal: to create an online competition that has a completely new format for classical music, which combines the evaluation of the public and the professional jury," said World Vision Contest Artistic Director Fjodor Elesin.

"We invented this exciting program that allows musicians to participate from their homes, and which aims to help them their programming, performance, recording and coordinating skills. We have also assembled the biggest prize fund, we believe ever offered by a competition, with cash, scholarships and performance opportunities granted at all stages of the competition, so no talent will stay overlooked."

A few unorthodox procedures will be implemented in this competition, including the combination of a jury and audience  voting. This includes a possible 500 points awarded for each round — a maximum of 400 from the jury and 100 from the online audience.

Another addition includes the presentation of six CD contracts by Classic@Home (or a partner music label) awarded to this year's semi-finalists — each valued at €25,000.

The final round of the competition will be held on February 27, 2022, at the Konzerthaus Wien in Vienna.

This year's regional, national, semifinal, and final juries can be found here: https://bit.ly/3hoRdFp

Applications are to be received by September 15, 2021.

“It's around this exact age that most young performers make a decision if they want to become a professional musician or not," Elesin said. "That’s why it is crucial for teenagers to have the opportunity to present their talent and skills to renowned music professors, musicians, and soloists. Our competition platform is suitable for each young musician to be seen, noticed, and appreciated, with advice on what to look out for and where to go next. I am convinced that this competition might be a turning point in their musical careers."

“We also think that composers have a great amount of very interesting musical ideas in the world, but no proper platform for publishing them so far. Our team made an effort to provide such a platform, and we hope that a number of contemporary composers’ game-changing ideas won’t be left without publishing, but will reach a large audience of classical music lovers with our help."

For more information on the competition and how to apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/3ycQhe2