WORLD OPEN Online Competition: Violin

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

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN «VIOLIN» NOMINATION 2026

Violin competition online: who can enter and how it works

The violin nomination of the WORLD OPEN Online Music Competition is a violin competition online for violinists of any age and from any country. Soloists, duos (two violins or violin with another instrument), student–teacher pairs and violin ensembles take part. Instead of a live round you send a performance video, and the jury assesses the recording.

There are three editions a year (Spring, Summer and Winter), and applications are accepted all year round. Violin is in group II of the calendar: pick the edition whose deadline fits your preparation, using the schedule below or the full 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 violin: what to choose

A soloist plays two pieces of free choice, ideally contrasting in tempo and mood, from memory and without cuts. Two movements of one sonata, suite or concerto may count as the two pieces. Duos and ensembles may play from the music. The general rules add that a work written for violin and piano must be played with an accompanist, so book a pianist early if you choose a concerto or a sonata.

The time limit of your category covers the whole program, from 5 minutes for the youngest players to 15 minutes in SENIOR ARTIST. If a concerto movement is too long, choose a shorter one rather than cutting it, because the program must be complete.

Examples, as suggestions only:

JUNIOR: a movement of a Seitz student concerto and Gossec’s Gavotte.
MIDDLE JUNIOR: Rieding’s Concerto in B minor or Küchler’s Concertino in G major with a Dancla air varié.
JUNIOR ARTIST: a movement of Accolay’s Concerto in A minor and Kreisler’s Praeludium and Allegro.
SENIOR ACADEMIC and SENIOR ARTIST: a movement of a Bach solo sonata or partita with a movement of the Mendelssohn, Bruch or Sibelius concerto, or a Paganini caprice.

Recording the video: tips for violinists

The rules ask for one continuous take without editing, pauses or cuts, with the performer clearly visible. For a violinist that means the face, the left hand on the fingerboard and the whole bow from frog to tip. Put the camera in front of you at head height, a few steps away, turned slightly towards the scroll, and film in horizontal format. Keep the pianist in the frame and place the piano so that it does not cover the violin. Avoid a bright window behind you and check that the microphone does not distort in loud passages. More advice is in the recording guide; identification options are described in the rules.

Application, fee and certificates

Violinists apply online through the application form (step-by-step guide). The entry fee is 37 euros for a soloist and 37 euros for a whole duo or ensemble (payment options). 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. Everyone receives an e-certificate, and teachers can download a letter of appreciation. Full rules (video requirements and identification, documents, fee, scoring) are on the rules page.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a piano accompanist?

If the piece is written for violin and piano, yes: the rules require an accompanist in that case. Works for solo violin, such as Bach partitas or Paganini caprices, are played alone. For duos the rules allow only one accompanist, whose age does not count towards the duo’s category.

Can a violin duo play from sheet music?

Yes. Playing from memory is required only of soloists; duos and ensembles may use music stands. A duo’s category is set by the average age of its members, without the accompanist.

How should the camera show my bow arm?

The whole bow and the right arm should stay in the frame for the entire take, together with your face and left hand. A horizontal frame taken from the front, slightly to the side, usually shows all of this.

What programs do winners play?

There is no set list: the program is two pieces of the participant’s choice. Past results by nomination are published on the results page.

How long can a violin program be?

It depends on the category: from 5 minutes for the youngest soloists to 15 minutes for SENIOR ARTIST and the oldest duo and ensemble categories. The limits for each category are listed above.