Application Requirements

Applications should display a full range of technical skills and interpretive ability by presenting works by a variety of composers. All repeats and lengthy passages of accompaniment-only sections should be omitted.

Submit three (3) individual digital video recordings of the applicant’s choosing to include the following and in the following order:

• Piece 1: One (1) selection that is standard repertoire* for your instrument — must be an unaccompanied work written for the solo instrument.
  *The following instruments should select repertoire per the instructions noted below:
  • Violin – a sonata or partita by J.S. Bach
  • Viola – a movement of a cello suite by J.S. Bach
  • Violoncello – a suite by J.S. Bach
  • Double Bass – a J.S. Bach cello suite
  • Piano – a prelude and fugue from J.S. Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, Volume 1 or 2
  • Organ – a prelude and fugue by J.S. Bach
  • All other instruments may submit repertoire of their choosing for this selection.
• Piece 2: One (1) selection that highlights your technical ability.
• Piece 3: One (1) selection originally written within the last 40 years.
• Each selection should be approximately five (5) minutes or less. You may excerpt lengthy selections or trim recordings as needed to highlight artistic strengths, but selections must be edited from a single continuous performance.

Accompaniment Requirements

• Works requiring accompaniment should be performed and filmed with live (preferred) accompaniment as the score requires.
• Piano or harpsichord are suggested accompaniment instruments.
• Only works originally composed for solo instruments (player alone) can be submitted without accompaniment.

Recording Guidelines

• Accompaniment: Works requiring accompaniment should be performed and filmed with live (preferred) accompaniment as the score requires. Only works originally composed for solo instruments (player alone) can be submitted without accompaniment. Piano or harpsichord are suggested accompaniment instruments.
• Sound: Make sure the acoustics in the room are suitable for recording. No sound enhancements are permitted (e.g. artificial reverb and/or eq).
• Image: Be sure your image is clear and good quality without background distractions.
• Framing: The camera should be set at a fixed point of view. Shoot straight on, leaving the camera in one location at a distance to frame you and your instrument clearly. Judges must be able to see your hands and fingers to properly adjudicate your work. If you are playing from memory, be sure there is no music on the stand.

File Upload Guidelines

• Save each selection individually and name the files with selection titles.
• Do not put your name or any identifying information in or on your files.
• Upload each selection as a separate file.
• Once uploaded, verify that the video image is upright (not sideways or upside down) and plays smoothly.
• Please refrain from submitting pre-recorded live performances, such as recitals, concerts, or competitions whenever possible as these events typically have background noise and/or distractions.

NOTE: You are welcome to submit materials that have been part of other applications, competitions, or projects. YoungArts does not own any works submitted to its competition, however if your work has been submitted to other competitions, you are responsible for getting permission to submit to YoungArts, if necessary.