Official Regulations 2026

THE 5TH FORTE YEARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL & COMPETITION

An encouraging, professionally guided path from online adjudication to a selected Winners Recital at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall. The program is designed for developing and emerging musicians seeking clear artistic goals, thoughtful feedback, and a meaningful New York performance opportunity.

COMPETITION JOURNEY AND KEY DATES

October 11, 2026 — Preliminary Round application closes

Within 7–10 days — Preliminary results and Final Round instructions

November 15, 2026 — Final Round application closes

Within 7–10 days — Final results, awards and recital eligibility

December 6, 2026 — Winners Recital registration deadline

December 21, 2026 · 7 PM — Winners Recital at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall

COMPETITION FORMAT

Round One · Preliminary Round

Online video review by three adjudicators. A participant advances when at least two of the three adjudicators issue a Pass decision. All advancement decisions made by the international jury panel are final and not subject to revision or appeal. Eligible returning participants from the four prior FYM events listed in these regulations submit the Round One application and advance directly to the Final Round without a Round One video.

Round Two · Final Round

Online video review by five adjudicators. The highest and lowest individual scores are removed; the remaining three scores are averaged. Final Round participants who receive an award qualify for a Winners Recital performance opportunity.

CATEGORIES AND AGE GROUPS

Age is calculated as of December 21, 2026.

Debut · age 7 and under · born on or after Dec. 22, 2018 · maximum 3 minutes

Rising Artist · age 8–15 · born Dec. 22, 2010–Dec. 21, 2018 · maximum 4 minutes

Young Artist · age 16–22 · born Dec. 22, 2003–Dec. 21, 2010 · maximum 5 minutes

Virtuoso · age 23–29 · born Dec. 22, 1996–Dec. 21, 2003 · maximum 7 minutes

PERFORMANCE DIVISIONS

Piano Solo · individual · enter the participant’s age group

Violin Solo · individual · enter the participant’s age group

Piano Four Hands · duo, one piano · the older performer determines the duo’s age group

Violin and Piano Duo · duo, violin and piano · the older performer determines the duo’s age group

A performer may enter more than one division with a separate fee for each category. Each duo member must be listed and pays the stated per-person fee.

REPERTOIRE AND VIDEO SUBMISSION

Submit one own-choice work or one movement in each round within the age-group time limit. Repertoire may differ between rounds or be repeated. Published transcriptions and arrangements are permitted when musically appropriate. A complete work is preferred; reasonable cuts may be used only to meet the time limit and must preserve musical continuity.

Piano Four Hands and Violin and Piano Duo participants submit individual solo videos in the Preliminary Round and one ensemble video featuring both performers in the Final Round. Soloists are encouraged to perform from memory; memorization is not required for duos, violin accompanists, or works customarily performed with score.

Record in one continuous take. Audio replacement, splicing, and edits that alter the performance are not permitted. Use a fixed camera position with the performer’s face, hands, instrument, and relevant pedals or bowing clearly visible. Submit a working public or unlisted link.

APPLICATION FEES · USD

Preliminary Round — $120 for Piano Solo and Violin Solo; $120 per performer for Piano Four Hands and Violin and Piano Duo

Final Round — $260 for Piano Solo and Violin Solo; $260 per performer for Piano Four Hands and Violin and Piano Duo

Winners Recital package — $820 for solo performers; $220 per performer for duos

Final Round applications and Winners Recital registration are available only to invited participants. An application is complete only after payment and all required materials are received.

WINNERS RECITAL PACKAGE

Includes rehearsal time in the concert hall on the performance day, up to five audience tickets per solo participant, up to two audience tickets per participant in a duet, certificates, trophies, official photographs, and a performance video recorded by Carnegie Hall.

SCORING STANDARDS · 100 POINTS

Technique and Accuracy — 25

Musical Interpretation and Style — 25

Tone Quality and Sound Control — 20

Rhythm, Structure and Ensemble — 15

Artistic Communication — 15

Adjudication is rigorous and age-aware. Jurors identify strengths and offer concise, constructive observations that support confidence, curiosity, and long-term artistic growth.

AWARD LEVELS

First Prize — 90–100

Second Prize — 80–89.99

Third Prize — 70–79.99

Honorable Mention — 60–69.99

If a First, Second, or Third Prize level is vacant within a division and age group, eligible recipients below the vacant level advance by one prize level. This does not apply to the Outstanding Soloist Grand Prize or Honorable Mention. Eligible teachers receive Excellent Teacher Certificates at the Winners Recital at Carnegie Hall.

OUTSTANDING SOLOIST GRAND PRIZE

One Outstanding Soloist Grand Prize is awarded to to participants with the highest score in each age group within Piano Solo and Violin Solo. Each recipient receives a US $200 cash award sponsored by KBL Group. Only one Grand Prize will be awarded in each eligible category. In the event of a tie for the highest score, the jury panel will conduct an additional review to select the single most outstanding and competitive candidate. Piano Four Hands and Violin and Piano Duo entries are not included in this cash-prize program but remain eligible for certificates, trophies and Winners Recital participation.

WINNERS RECITAL ELIGIBILITY AND SCHEDULING

Invitations and scheduling are based on Final Round results, program balance, artistic readiness, and available performance time. Qualified award recipients who cannot be accommodated in the current recital will be carried forward to the next FYM Winners Recital. The Organizing Committee determines final program order, repertoire approval, performance duration, and the technical schedule.

Violinists may bring their own accompanist or request a recommendation from the Organizing Committee. No referral fee is charged; rehearsal and performance fees are arranged directly with the accompanist.

CERTIFICATES, EXPENSES AND CONDUCT

Certificates may be collected at the Winners Recital or from the participant’s designated professional teacher. The Organizing Committee covers certificate shipping to that teacher. Participants are responsible for travel, accommodation, meals, visas, insurance, accompanist fees, and other personal expenses.

Application and recital package fees are non-refundable once paid except where an exceptional refund is approved. Participants, guardians, teachers, accompanists, and guests must communicate respectfully, follow venue and staff instructions, arrive on time, and avoid conduct that interferes with adjudication or performance operations.

MEDIA, PRIVACY AND FINAL AUTHORITY

By applying, participants and legal guardians authorize official recording, photography, livestreaming, broadcast, editing, publication, and archiving of competition and recital activities, subject to applicable law and venue rules. Personal data is used for legitimate competition administration, communication, event production, payment records, certificates, programs, and promotion. A parent or legal guardian must consent for participants under 18.

The Organizing Committee may interpret, amend, supplement, and enforce these regulations for fair and orderly administration. By submitting an application, participants and legal guardians accept these regulations and the final decisions of the Organizing Committee.

APPLICATION AND INQUIRIES

Official website — fymcompetition.com

Email — fymfestival@outlook.com

RETURNING PARTICIPANT EXEMPTION

Participants who performed in The 1st Shanghai Forte Yearly Music Competition, The 2nd Forte Yearly Music Signed Artist Concert, The 3rd Forte Yearly Music Concerto Festival, or The 4th Forte Yearly Music Nanjing International Music Festival are exempt from the Round One video evaluation. Eligible returning participants submit the Round One application and advance directly to the Final Round; no Round One video is required.