WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Orchestra
- Next edition
- Winter Edition 2026
- Applications until
- December 1
- Entry fee
- €37
- Format
- online, video
RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «ORCHESTRA» NOMINATION 2026
Online orchestra competition: who can enter and how it works
The orchestra nomination is the online orchestra competition of WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition. Orchestras from any country send a video of their performance, and the jury evaluates the recording.
There are separate sections for symphony, chamber, string, wind, jazz, plucked-instrument and non-standard (national instrument) orchestras, plus individual categories for orchestra conductors. Three editions are held each year – spring, summer and winter – and applications are accepted at any time, so an orchestra can enter with a recording from its own concert season.
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. Orchestras not obligated to perform compositions by heart. It is allowed to perform parts (symphony, concert…) as two pieces.
Participants
Orchestras can perform with illustrators and/or concertmasters (no more than three). Age category is defined by average age of all participants (without illustrators, concertmasters and conductor).
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category I: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category II: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category III: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category IV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category V: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category VI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category VII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (up to 15 participants)
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category VIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category IX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category X: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XI: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XIII: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XIV: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
String orchestra
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XV: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XVI: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XVII: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XVIII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XIX: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
- Category XX: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XXI: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
WIND ORCHESTRA
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XXII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXIII: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXIV: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XXV: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXVI: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
-
- Category XXVII: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XXVIII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
JAZZ ORCHESTRA
The use of electronic musical instruments is also permitted.
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XXIX: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXX: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXXI: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XXXII: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XXXIII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
-
- Category XXXIV: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XXXV: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
PLUCKING INSTRUMENTS ORCHESTRA
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XXXVI: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XXXVII: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XXXVIII: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XXXIX: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XL: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
-
- Category XLI: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XLII: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
NON-STANDARD ORCHESTRA (ORCHESTRA OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS)
The orchestra must contain at least 50% of homogeneous (folk) instruments of this nomination.
JUNIOR ARTIST
- Category XLIII: born in 2014 and younger – maximum 7 minutes
- Category XLIV: born in 2012 and younger – maximum 10 minutes
- Category XLV: born in 2009 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
SENIOR ACADEMIC
- Category XLVI: born in 2006 and younger – maximum 12 minutes
- Category XLVII: born in 2003 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
SENIOR ARTIST
-
- Category XLVIII: born in 2000 and younger – maximum 13 minutes
- Category XLIX: born in 1999 and older – maximum 15 minutes
ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR
JUNIOR
- L category – born in 2009 and younger up to 12 minutes
SENIOR
- LI category – born in 2008 and older up to 12 minutes
ACCORDION ORCHESTRA
Rules for this category, see the rules for the ACCORDION/BAYAN nominations.
Additional video recording information for ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR
Video recording can be made:
- from orchestra. Camera must be directed to conductor, and a part of orchestra must be seen.
- from left or right sides of the orchestra. Camera must be directed to conductor and a part of the orchestra must be seen.
From an orchestra recording only a video camera may not reflect the normal sound of the orchestra. The sound can be recorded using external recording equipment and synchronized with the video.
Repertoire for orchestras: what to choose
An orchestra presents two contrasting works of its choice; playing by heart is not required. Two movements of a symphony or concerto may be presented as the two works. The age category, and with it the time limit, depends on the average age of the players, not counting illustrators, concertmasters and the conductor, so calculate it before planning the programme. In the youngest categories one short movement plus a brief second piece usually fits best.
Suggestions by orchestra type (not requirements):
- Symphony orchestra: a movement of a Haydn or Beethoven symphony; the finale of Dvořák’s From the New World for SENIOR sections.
- Chamber and string orchestra: Grieg, Holberg Suite (two movements); Britten, Simple Symphony; Mozart, Eine kleine Nachtmusik.
- Wind orchestra: Holst, First Suite in E-flat (movements); a Sousa march.
- Jazz orchestra: Ellington, Take the “A” Train; Louis Prima, Sing, Sing, Sing.
- Plucked and national instrument orchestras: an original work for your ensemble paired with a folk-song arrangement from your tradition.
Recording the video: tips for orchestras
The performance is recorded in one continuous take without editing. Before the music starts, the conductor or one member names the orchestra, its category and the competition, or an A4 sign with this information is shown for 3–5 seconds.
Place the camera on a tripod in front of the orchestra, roughly where the audience sits, and raise it so that the back rows and the conductor are visible; film in landscape. A phone inside the orchestra picks up the nearest players far louder than the rest, so keep the microphone in front of the ensemble. For the conductor categories, the camera faces the conductor with part of the orchestra in view, and external audio synchronised with the video is allowed. See how to record a video and the rules.
Application, fee and certificates
Orchestras apply with the online form, adding the video, a list of members with their years of birth confirmed by the institution, and payment confirmation. The fee is 37 euros per orchestra, and 37 euros for an entry in the conductor category (payment). In the JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR sections the jury awards a Gold award for 90–100 points and a Diploma from 65 points; 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 after the edition, and teachers can download letters of appreciation. Full rules – video requirements and identification, documents, fee and scoring system – are on the rules page.
Frequently asked questions
Does an orchestra have to play by heart?
No. Orchestras may perform from the music.
How is the age category of an orchestra calculated?
By the average age of all players. Illustrators, concertmasters (no more than three) and the conductor are not counted.
Can a conductor enter individually?
Yes. Category L is for conductors born in 2009 and younger, Category LI for those born in 2008 and older, each up to 12 minutes.
Can a jazz orchestra use electronic instruments?
Yes, electronic musical instruments are permitted in the jazz orchestra section.
Where are the rules for accordion orchestras?
They follow the rules of the accordion / bayan nomination.
Related pages: chamber ensemble and choir nominations, results and participants.