WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Accordion

Next edition
Winter Edition 2026
Applications until
December 10
Entry fee
€37
Format
online, video
Apply now General rules

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «ACCORDION» NOMINATION 2026

Accordion competition online: who can enter and how it works

The Accordion nomination of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition is an online accordion competition for players of the piano accordion and the bayan (button accordion), with a separate category for the diatonic accordion. Soloists compete in age categories from JUNIOR to SENIOR ARTIST, and there are separate lists for Variété, duos, STUDENT – TEACHER pairs, ensembles of 3–15 members and accordion orchestras.

Three editions are held every year, applications are accepted at any time, and the jury assesses a video recording, so an ensemble or orchestra can record in its own rehearsal hall.

Schedule

The competition is completely online and is held annually. Applications are accepted 365 days a year. The competitor selects one of three editions and sends an application.

SPRING EDITION

Acceptance of applications until April 01. Announcement of results on April 15. 

SUMMER EDITION

Applications are accepted until June 10. Announcement of results on June 25. 

WINTER EDITION

Application deadline is December 10. Announcement of the results on December 25. 

 

Program

The competition program includes two (preferably diverse) compositions of the participant’s choice. Program is to be performed by heart and completely (soloist). Duos ensembles and orchestra are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (sonata, suite, concert, symphony…) as two pieces. 

 

Participants

Right to participate is given to all competitors from all the countries in the world. 

Soloists:

JUNIOR

  • Category I: born in 2020 – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category II: born in 2019 – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category III: born in 2018 – maximum 5 minutes

 

MIDDLE JUNIOR

  • Category IV: born in 2017 – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category V: born in 2016 – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category VI: born in 2015 – maximum 6 minutes
  • Category VII: born in 2014 – maximum 8 minutes
  • Category VIII: born in 2013 – maximum 8 minutes

 

JUNIOR  ARTIST

  • Category IX: born in 2012 – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category X: born in 2011 – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XI: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes

 

SENIOR ACADEMIC

  • Category XII: born in 2007 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XIII: born in 2005 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XIV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XV: born in 2001 and younger – maximum 13 minutes

 

SENIOR ARTIST

  • Category XVI: born in 1999 and younger – maximum 15 minutes
  • Category XVII: born in 1998 and older – maximum 15 minutes

 

JUNIOR and SENIOR Variété

Free program, which includes 2 compositions with different styles and tempers.

  •  Category XVIII: born in 2009 and younger  – maximum 12 minutes
  •  Category XIX: born in 2008 and older  – maximum 12 minutes

 

DUO (two similar or two different instruments)

Participants perform without concertmaster, ensemble or orchestra.

  • Category XXI: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category XXII: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category XXIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  • Category XXIV: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XXV: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XXVI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XXVII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XXVIII: born in 2004 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XXIX: born in 2002 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XXX: born in 2000 and younger – up to 13 minutes
  • Category XXXI: born in 1999 and older – up to 15 minutes

 

Diatonic accordion

  • Category XXXIV – competitors, soloists without age, limit to 12 minutes

 

Student – teacher

In the category “Student – teacher” the age group is determined by the age of the student.

  • Category XXXV: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  • Category XXXVI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XXXVII: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XXXVIII: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XXXXIX: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XL: born in 2005 and older – maximum 12 minutes

 

ENSEMBLE (of 3-15 members)

The ensemble must contain at least 50% of homogeneous instruments of this nomination. Ensemble can perform with only one accompanist and/or one illustrator.

  • Category XLI: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
  • Category XLII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  • Category XLIII: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  • Category XLIV: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XLV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
  • Category XLVI: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XLVII: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
  • Category XLVIII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

 

Accordion orchestra

Orchestras can perform with illustrators and/or concertmasters (no more than three). Orchestras will compete in categories according to the age, and they are not obligated to perform compositions by heart.

JUNIOR ARTIST

  •  Category XLIX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
  •  Category L: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
  •  Category LI: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes

SENIOR ARTIST

  • Category LII: born in 2006 and younger maximum 12 minutes
  • Category LIII: born in 2003 and younger maximum 13 minutes
  •  Category LIV: born in 2000 and younger maximum 13 minutes
  • Category LV: born in 1999 and older maximum 15 minutes

Age category (duo, ensemble, orchestra) is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator (concertmaster).

Repertoire for accordion and bayan: what to choose

Soloists perform two contrasting compositions by heart and in full; duos, ensembles and orchestras may use the score. Movements of a sonata, suite, concerto or symphony can count as the two pieces, and the Variété program is free — two pieces in different styles and tempos. Keep within your category’s limit: from 5 minutes for the youngest soloists to 15 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST, with a single 12-minute limit for the diatonic accordion.

The instrument shapes the choice. On a standard-bass (Stradella) instrument, choose music whose left-hand part works with ready-made chords: dances, folk-song variations, musette waltzes. A free-bass (converter) bayan or accordion opens up polyphony, transcriptions of Bach or Scarlatti and the original concert repertoire, which usually shows the instrument better than piano transcriptions. Suggestions by section:

  • JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR: pieces from Zolotaryov’s Children’s Suites; folk-song variations.
  • JUNIOR ARTIST: a Scarlatti sonata on a free-bass instrument with an arrangement of Piazzolla’s Libertango.
  • SENIOR ACADEMIC and SENIOR ARTIST: Semionov’s Don Rhapsody, Gubaidulina’s De profundis or a Bach organ transcription.
  • Variété: a French musette waltz with Tico-Tico.

Recording the video: tips for accordionists

The recording has to be a single uninterrupted take — nothing edited, paused or cut — and every performer must stay clearly visible: soloist, duo, ensemble, orchestra, conductor and accompanist. For a soloist, a camera slightly to the player’s right at chest height shows the face, the right-hand keyboard and the bellows; keep the left hand on the bass side in the frame too. The instrument is loud at close range, so place the microphone a few steps away and test the loudest passage. For an orchestra, aim the camera at the conductor from the front or from one side, keeping part of the orchestra in view; an external recorder synchronised with the video gives a fuller sound. Identification comes first: names and years of birth for soloists and duos, the group’s name and category for ensembles and orchestras. See recording advice and the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Accordionists apply via the online application. A soloist pays 37 euros; a duo, ensemble or orchestra pays 37 euros for the whole group (payment page), and groups may confirm ages with a list certified by their institution. In the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections, awards begin at 90 points for Gold, 80 for Silver, 70 for Bronze and 65 for a Diploma; JUNIOR ARTIST (32.50–50 points) and the SENIOR sections (16.25–25 points) use their own scales, described in the rules. Certificates are issued to everyone who takes part, and letters of appreciation are available for teachers. Video, identification, documents, fees and scoring: rules page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play a bayan or a button accordion?

Yes. The nomination covers both the bayan and the accordion — the Russian version of the rules calls it Bayan/Accordion — and there is a separate category for the diatonic accordion.

Do ensembles and orchestras play from memory?

No. Only soloists must play by heart; duos, ensembles and orchestras may use the score.

What is the time limit for juniors?

Soloists in JUNIOR (Categories I–III) play up to 5 minutes. In MIDDLE JUNIOR the limit rises from 5 to 8 minutes depending on the category.

Are arrangements allowed?

The page does not address arrangements or transcriptions directly: it says only that the program consists of two compositions of the participant’s choice and that parts of a sonata, suite, concerto or symphony may be performed as two pieces. If you plan to play an arrangement, check with the organizer in advance.

When are accordion results announced?

Accordion is in group II: results are announced on April 15 (spring), June 25 (summer) and December 25 (winter).

Related pages: Traditional music, results, participants.

Accordion: results and participants

Results by year

Participants by year

Participants 2026