Apply to Compete

The NTD International Violin Competition welcomes accomplished violinists from around the world to a stage devoted to classical mastery, authentic technique, and noble artistic expression. Contestants are invited to present the great violin repertoire of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods with discipline, sincerity, and refinement.

Registration

Open to violinists, instructors, and students of all nationalities who are proficient in a broad violin repertoire. Contestants must meet the official age requirements listed by the organizing committee.

Application Deadline

All application materials, including audition video recordings, must be submitted online by June 16, 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Acceptance Notice

Applicants will be notified by email no later than July 8, 2027 regarding whether they have been accepted into the competition.

Application Fee

A non-refundable application fee is required.

Early Bird: US $100 by March 16, 2027
Standard: US $150 by June 16, 2027

Applications cannot be processed without payment.

Required Materials

Applicants must submit a completed application form, audition videos, a copy of valid legal ID, and a recent high-resolution color headshot. Applicants under 18 must include a legal guardian’s signature.

REPERTOIRE

COMPETITION ROUND

Preliminary Round

01

Contestants perform selected works from Paganini, Bach, Beethoven or Brahms, and one melodic encore piece. This round emphasizes classical foundation, purity of tone, disciplined technique, and musical understanding.

See Details

COMPETITION ROUND

Semi-Final Round

02

Semi-finalists perform a Mozart violin concerto, a Romantic virtuoso showpiece, and the official commissioned composition. This round calls for refinement, expressive control, and command of contrasting styles.

See Details

COMPETITION ROUND

Commissioned Composition

03

Qualified contestants receive the commissioned composition six weeks before the semi-final round. It must be performed from memory and is judged for faithful interpretation, musical insight, and artistic sincerity.

COMPETITION ROUND

Final Round

04

Finalists perform a complete violin concerto from the official repertoire list, including major works by Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Sibelius, and Tchaikovsky.

See Details

Schedule

16

Jun, 2027

Application Deadline

8

Jul, 2027

Acceptance Notification

16-26

Sep, 2027

Competition Rounds

24-26

Sep, 2027

Final Round & Award Ceremony

Competition Rules

The competition is open to violinists of all nationalities, ages 16–28, born Sept. 17, 1998–Sept. 16, 2011. All application materials, audition videos, and the non-refundable application fee must be submitted by the stated deadline.

All competition repertoire must be performed from memory, including the commissioned composition. The only exception is sonatas with piano in the preliminary round. Repertoire changes are not permitted after submission unless required by the Competition Committee.

All repertoire must be performed without repeats. Indicated repeats, including da capo and dal segno instructions, should be omitted. Contestants must bring original scores for all works and provide full scores when requested.

Audition videos must be continuous, unedited recordings, with the applicant’s hands and face visible throughout. A clearly visible running clock or timer must remain in the frame for the full recording, and the same camera angle should be used throughout. Edited submissions or recordings without the required timestamp may be disqualified.

Each contestant will be provided with an assigned accompanist at no cost. Contestants may bring their own accompanist at their own expense. Foreign contestants are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and visas.

Contestants must wear conservative formal performance attire during all rounds. Female contestants are required to wear a full-length dress. Contestants must follow the arrangements of the Organizing Committee and are responsible for handling unexpected situations during the competition.

The organizer reserves the right to live-stream, broadcast, record, televise, film, and publicize competition performances. NTD is entitled to the copyrights of text, audio, visual, and video products made during the competition.

Contestants are judged by a jury appointed by the NTD Competition Organizing Committee, and the jury’s decisions are final. Awards must be accepted in person at the Award Ceremony; absence constitutes forfeiture. The Organizing Committee has final authority to interpret the rules and may revoke eligibility or prizes for rule violations.

Audition Video

Audition Repertoire

Applicants must submit three separate audition videos, performed and submitted in the following order:

A. Paganini
One of the 24 Caprices, Op. 1 by N. Paganini. All written repeats must be performed. This caprice may be performed again in the Preliminary Round.

B. J.S. Bach
Two movements from one of the following Sonatas for solo violin:

Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001 — Adagio and Fuga
Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003 — Grave and Fuga
Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005 — Adagio and Fuga

All written repeats must be performed.

C. Final-Round Concerto
The first movement of the concerto the applicant selects for the Final Round:

Beethoven — Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
Brahms — Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
Mendelssohn — Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Sibelius — Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Tchaikovsky — Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

The concerto selected here will be performed again in the Final Round. Tutti cuts are acceptable.

Recording Standards

Sections A, B, and C must be recorded and submitted separately, in order.
Every performance must be a single, continuous, unedited take.
No video or audio post-production is permitted.
A visible, continuously running clock or timer must remain in the camera frame for the entire performance and be clearly visible to the judges.
Recordings without the required continuous visible time reference, or recordings that have been edited, will be disqualified.
Recordings must have been made within the 12 months prior to submission.

If several pieces are recorded during one session, the recording may later be divided into separate submission files. However, the J.S. Bach Sonata must be performed continuously in one take and submitted as one file.

Video Format & Visibility

The applicant’s hands and face must remain visible at all times.
The same camera angle must be maintained throughout the performance.
Live performances with an orchestra or ensemble are acceptable as long as the soloist remains clearly visible and audible.
Each piece must be submitted separately and clearly labeled in English using:

Last Name_First Name_Title of the Piece

All application videos must be submitted as YouTube links, including solo performances and concerto performances with orchestra or ensemble.

Scoring Criteria

Traditional Characteristics

All competition forms must conform to the traditional martial arts characteristics of the chosen style.

Style Authenticity

The style, characteristics, and depth of the demonstrated traditional martial arts form must not mix in other martial arts styles or use creative/hybrid forms. The Panel of Judges will evaluate each contestant’s performance according to the characteristics of the related martial arts style.

Correctness of Posture

The movements of the arms, eyes, head, body posture and form, footwork, hand patterns, step patterns, and body movement must meet the characteristics and style of the chosen martial arts form.

Coordination of Movements

The performance must show complete coordination of the hands, eyes, body method, footwork, spirit, energy, strength, and kung fu. These are essential requirements.

Clarity of Methods

The following methods must be presented clearly:

The unique characteristics of traditional martial arts, including kicking, striking, and wrestling methods.
Grappling methods within the fist form.
Correct traditional weapon techniques, including striking, slashing, and related methods.

Natural Breathing

The performance should demonstrate smooth internal qi circulation extending outward, without breath-holding, forced breathing, or disconnection between qi and power.

Internal-External Harmony

The performance should demonstrate harmony between internal energy, external movement, and power, including hard and soft, gathering and releasing, advancing and retreating, and other qualities with clear traditional martial arts characteristics.

Spiritual Concentration

The performance should demonstrate the spiritual consciousness of traditional martial arts throughout the entire form, including qualities such as mightiness, bravery, focus, precision, yielding, evading, softening, following momentum, and distinguishing empty and solid. These qualities should be expressed with a positive spiritual manifestation rooted in martial virtue.

Clear Rhythm

The performance should show clear rhythm through the alternation of fast and slow movements, stillness and motion, urgency and ease, following the structure of the form and using martial skill to express the body’s sense of rhythm.

Guidelines for Traditional Forms

Forms must not include elements of Contemporary Competitive Wushu styles. The forms performed must conform to the traditional characteristics of the corresponding fist or weapon system. Only inherited forms may be performed. The content of the forms must conform to the mechanical principles and cultural connotations of traditional martial arts and demonstrate their spirit and values.

The broader meanings of traditional martial arts, including health preservation, fitness, self-defense, artistic appreciation, and self-cultivation, should also be reflected in the forms.

Martial Arts Etiquette

Contestants should wear traditional martial arts attire and salute the judges before and after performances, such as by bowing, performing baoquan, or pairing palms. Contestants should place martial virtue as the top priority and conduct themselves with proper etiquette. Any inappropriate behavior will result in disqualification from the competition.

Time Limit

Contestants must complete their forms within the stipulated or pre-approved time limit. Exceeding or falling short of the time limit will result in point deductions.

Final Interpretation

The Competition Panel of Judges reserves the right to the final interpretation of these competition rules.

Competition Information

01

Post-Application Process

Applicants will receive notification by email no later than July 8, 2027.

Qualified contestants will receive an invitation to the preliminary round. This invitation may be used for U.S. visa application and competition-day registration.

The Organizing Committee will email the commissioned composition to qualified contestants six weeks before the semi-final round.

Foreign contestants are responsible for obtaining all required travel documents and visas for entry to the United States. Early preparation is strongly recommended.

02

Accompanists and Scores

Each contestant will be provided with an assigned accompanist at no cost.

Contestants may bring their own accompanist at their own expense.

Contestants must bring original scores for all works, including piano parts, and be prepared to provide full scores to the Competition Committee and accompanist when requested.

03

Important Contestant Rules

Each contestant will be provided with an assigned accompanist at no cost.

Contestants may bring their own accompanist at their own expense.

Contestants must bring original scores for all works, including piano parts, and be prepared to provide full scores to the Competition Committee and accompanist when requested.

Contact

Email: violin@ntd.com
Hotline: +1 (855) 561-0888
Mailing address: The NTD International Violin Competition, 129 W 29th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 USA

Apply Now

Join an international competition honoring classical mastery, noble expression,
and the enduring beauty of the violin tradition.