WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Double Bass

Next edition: Winter Edition 2026
Applications until: December 10
Entry fee: €37
Format: online, video

Rules for participants in «Double bass» nomination 2026

Double bass competition online: who can enter and how it works

The double bass nomination is the double bass competition online of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition. Players of any age and country can enter as soloists, in a duo with a similar or different instrument, as a student–teacher pair or in an ensemble where basses form at least half of the group. There is no live audition: the jury listens to and watches your video.

You can apply on any day of the year for one of three editions (Spring, Summer or Winter). Double bass belongs to group II; its deadlines and result dates are in the schedule below and in the overall calendar.

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 and ensembles are not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (sonata, suite, symphony, 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 double bass: what to choose

The program has two pieces of your choice, preferably contrasting. Soloists play by heart and without cuts; duos and ensembles may use music. Parts of a sonata, suite, symphony or concerto can serve as the two pieces, which is convenient for bassists, since much of the solo literature consists of Baroque sonatas and Classical concertos. A work with piano is played with an accompanist, as the general rules state; if you use solo tuning, make sure the piano part is in the matching key.

Your time limit runs from 5 minutes in the youngest categories to 15 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST. Slow movements on the bass tend to take longer than expected, so time the program before recording.

Possible choices (suggestions only):

JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR: Saint-Saëns’s The Elephant and a movement of Marcello’s Sonata in E minor.
JUNIOR ARTIST: Eccles’s Sonata in G minor, Capuzzi’s Concerto in F major or Bottesini’s Elegy.
SENIOR ACADEMIC: Dittersdorf’s Concerto in E major or a Vanhal concerto movement.
SENIOR ARTIST: Koussevitzky’s Concerto, Bottesini’s Concerto in B minor or a movement of a Bach cello suite on the bass.

Recording the video: tips for double bassists

Record one uninterrupted take with no editing, with the player clearly in view all the time. The double bass is tall, so the frame must include the scroll, both hands, the bow or plucking hand near the bridge, your face and the endpin; step the camera back rather than cutting off the top of the instrument, and keep the image horizontal. Phone microphones capture low frequencies poorly at very close range and in small rooms: test the sound in two or three positions before the final take, and check that the piano does not cover the bass. Light the fingerboard from the front so the left hand is not in shadow. More: recording recommendations and identification in the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Bassists register through the application page, uploading the video and documents; see the instructions if something is unclear. The entry fee is 37 euros for a soloist and the same 37 euros for an entire duo or ensemble (fee payment). The award depends on the jury’s average score: in the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections a Gold award is given for 90–100 points and a Diploma from 65 points; JUNIOR ARTIST and the SENIOR sections use other point scales, described in the rules. Participants receive certificates, teachers letters of appreciation. For video requirements and identification, documents, fees and the scoring system, read the rules.

Frequently asked questions

Can a double bassist enter a duo with another instrument?

Yes. A duo may consist of two similar or two different instruments, and its category is set by the average age of the two players, not counting the accompanist.

Do I need a pianist for a concerto?

Yes, if the work is written with piano or orchestra reduction: the rules require an accompanist in that case.

Can I play two movements of one sonata?

Yes. Movements of a sonata, suite, symphony or concerto may be presented as the two pieces, as long as the total fits the time limit.

What does a double bass ensemble need?

From 3 to 12 members, with basses making up at least half. The ensemble may play from music and may have one accompanist and/or one illustrator.

Where can I see results?

Results of each edition are published on the results page after the announcement date shown in the schedule.