WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Viola

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

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «VIOLA» NOMINATION 2026

Viola competition online: who can enter and how it works

This viola competition online gives violists their own nomination within the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition, separate from the violin. It is open to players of every age and country: soloists, duos, student–teacher pairs and ensembles in which violas make up at least half of the group. You take part remotely: the jury evaluates a video recorded at home, at school or in a hall.

Applications can be sent at any time. Results are announced after each of the three editions (Spring, Summer and Winter); viola follows the group II deadlines shown in the schedule below and in the competition 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 viola: what to choose

The program is two works you choose yourself, preferably different in character. Soloists play them by heart and in full; duos and ensembles may read from the score. Movements of a sonata, suite, symphony or concerto may be presented as the two works. The rules give no list of required pieces and do not mention transcriptions; if you plan one and are unsure, ask the organizer via the contact page. Works with piano are performed with an accompanist, as the general rules require.

Check the total duration against your category: from 5 minutes in Categories I–II up to 15 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST. Young violists often play a small instrument, so for the junior sections pick music that suits the hand rather than the hardest piece available.

Possible programs (recommendations, not requirements):

JUNIOR and MIDDLE JUNIOR: two movements of Telemann’s Concerto in G major, or a minuet and a gigue from a Bach cello suite in a viola edition.
JUNIOR ARTIST: the Handel–Casadesus Concerto in B minor, Bruch’s Romance or Glinka’s Sonata in D minor.
SENIOR ACADEMIC: the Stamitz or Hoffmeister Concerto in D major.
SENIOR ARTIST: a Hindemith sonata for solo viola, Schubert’s Arpeggione Sonata or a movement of the Walton or Bartók concerto.

Recording the video: tips for violists

Record in one take with no edits or pauses, so that you stay clearly visible from the first note to the last. Place the camera in front of you and a little to the left, so that the jury sees your face, the left-hand fingers on the C-string side and the full stroke of the bow. Use landscape orientation. The viola’s low register sounds muddy if the phone is too close or in a corner of a small room; curtains or soft furniture help. If you play with piano, make a short test recording first and check that the piano does not mask the darker tone of the viola. See the video recording tips and the identification options in the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

To enter, fill in the online application with your viola video and documents; the application guide explains each step. A soloist pays 37 euros, a duo or ensemble pays 37 euros in total (how to pay). 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. After the edition, participants download their certificates and teachers their letters of appreciation. Video and identification requirements, documents, fees and scoring in full: competition rules.

Frequently asked questions

Is the viola nomination separate from the violin?

Yes. Viola has its own page and its own list of categories with time limits; violinists apply to the violin nomination.

Can I play a transcription?

The rules do not prescribe repertoire: the program is two pieces of your choice, and transcriptions are not mentioned either way. If you plan to play one, confirm with the organizer via the contact page; in any case the program must fit your time limit and, for a soloist, be played from memory.

Do I need an accompanist?

Yes, if the work is written for viola and piano. For duos the rules allow only one accompanist, whose age does not count towards the duo’s category.

Can our ensemble include violins and cellos?

Yes, if violas make up at least half of the group. An ensemble has from 3 to 12 members, and its category is set by the average age of the players.

How is the category of a student–teacher pair decided?

By the age of the student. The limits for this section run from 7 to 12 minutes and are listed above.