WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Clarinet

Next edition: Winter Edition 2026
Applications until: December 1
Entry fee: €37
Format: online, video

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «CLARINET» NOMINATION 2026

Clarinet competition online: who can enter and how it works

The clarinet competition online at the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition is open to clarinetists from every country. You can enter as a soloist, as a duo (two clarinets, or a clarinet with another instrument), together with your teacher in the Student – teacher category, or as an ensemble. The jury judges a video recording, so there is no travel and no live round.

The nomination runs in three editions every year: spring, summer and winter. Applications are open all year; you choose the edition when you apply, and its deadline is listed in the schedule below.

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
Application deadline is March 15th. Announcement of the results on April 05.

SUMMER EDITION
Acceptance of applications until June 1. Announcement of the results on June 15.

WINTER EDITION
Application deadline is December 1th. Announcement of the results on December 15th.

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 and ensembles are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (sonata, suite, concert…) 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 6 minutes

MIDDLE JUNIOR

Category IV: born in 2017 – maximum 6 minutes
Category V: born in 2016 – maximum 7 minutes
Category VI: born in 2015 – maximum 7 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 – up to 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

DUO (two similar or two different instruments)

Duo can perform with only one accompanist. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator or accompanist.

Category XVIII: born in 2018 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
Category XIX: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
Category XX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXII: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXIII: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXIV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXV: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XXVI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XXVII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

Student – teacher

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

Category XXVIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXIX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXX: born in 2010 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXXI: born in 2008 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXXII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXIII: born in 2005 and older – maximum 12 minutes

ENSEMBLE (of 3-12 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. Age category is defined by average age of all participants, without illustrator (accompanist).

Category XXXIV: born in 2016 and younger – maximum 5 minutes
Category XXXV: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
Category XXXVI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
Category XXXVII: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXVIII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
Category XXXIX: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XL: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
Category XLI: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes

Repertoire for clarinet: what to choose

You need two compositions, preferably different in mood and tempo. A soloist plays everything by heart and in full; duos are not required to memorise. Movements of a sonata, suite or concerto count as separate pieces, which suits clarinetists well: a slow and a fast movement of one concerto already make a contrasting pair.

The time limit grows with age – 5 minutes in Category I, 8 in the oldest MIDDLE JUNIOR category, 12 in Category X and 13 to 15 minutes for senior players. If a concerto movement is longer than your limit, pick a shorter work instead of cutting it, because soloists perform the program completely.

Possible choices by section (suggestions, not requirements):

JUNIOR: a movement from one of Lefèvre’s sonatas; Schumann, The Happy Farmer (arrangement)
MIDDLE JUNIOR: Pierné, Canzonetta; Baermann, Adagio
JUNIOR ARTIST: Weber, Concertino; Saint-Saëns, Sonata (one or two movements)
SENIOR ACADEMIC and SENIOR ARTIST: Mozart, Clarinet Concerto in A major; Debussy, Première Rhapsodie; Poulenc, Sonata; Brahms, Sonata in F minor
Without accompaniment: Stravinsky, Three Pieces for solo clarinet

Recording the video: tips for clarinetists

By the rules the video is one uninterrupted shot – no editing, pauses or cuts – and you must be clearly seen. A clarinet points down and forward, so a camera placed straight in front at chest height shows the face, the fingers of both hands and the bell without hiding the keys. Frame the shot horizontally, as the rules recommend. The low register can sound boomy when the microphone is close to the bell, so keep some distance and test a loud passage first. Wet and try the reed before you press record: a squeak cannot be edited out. Identify yourself aloud or with an A4 sheet placed on a music stand. See the recording recommendations and the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Send your entry with the online application. A clarinet soloist pays 37 euros; a duo or ensemble pays 37 euros for the whole group (how to pay). In the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections the jury gives up to 100 points: a Gold award from 90, Silver from 80, Bronze from 70 and a Diploma from 65; JUNIOR ARTIST (32.50–50 points) and the SENIOR sections (16.25–25 points) use their own scales, described in the rules. Electronic certificates are available after each edition, and teachers receive letters of appreciation. The rules page covers the rest: video requirements and identification, documents, entry fee and scoring system.

Frequently asked questions

Can I play two movements of the same concerto?

Yes. Movements of a sonata, suite or concerto may be performed as your two pieces. A soloist still plays them from memory.

Do I need a pianist for a clarinet sonata?

If the piece is written for clarinet and accompaniment, the rules require you to perform it with an accompanist. Works for clarinet alone are played without one.

Can a clarinet duo include another instrument?

Yes. The duo category accepts two similar or two different instruments, and its category is set by the average age of both players, without the accompanist.

How does the Student – teacher category work?

You play together with your teacher, and the category is chosen by the student’s year of birth. According to the rules, the jury scores only the student’s performance.

Can an ensemble mix clarinets with other instruments?

Yes, as long as at least half of the members play instruments of this nomination; the ensemble has 3 to 12 members. One accompanist and/or one illustrator may join it.