Menu Close
Close
Apply

FAQ

2027 NTD International Violin Competition Frequently Asked Questions

Why participate? Prizes, Career & Value

Noble Mission: The NTD International Violin Competition is solely dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the European classical violin music — the splendid legacy of Western culture, and to bringing back the glory of violin masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods. By participating in this event, you will make a unique contribution to the renaissance of traditional culture.

Classical Selection of Repertoire: All repertoire must be from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.

Unique Commissioned Composition: NTD International Violin Competition is honored to have received permission from the world-renowned composer and Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. D.F., to select and adapt one of his celebrated works as the Commissioned Composition for solo violin. The Commissioned Composition carries forward the distinctive musical characteristics of Shen Yun. Rooted in traditional Chinese melodies, it draws upon the violin’s subtle expressiveness and depth within the Western classical tradition to convey the rich spiritual world and profound cultural heritage of traditional Chinese civilization, as well as humanity’s shared aspiration for the divine. Through this unique fusion of Eastern and Western musical traditions, performers are invited to explore the work’s artistic possibilities and bring their own interpretation and expressive voice to it, contributing, in their own unique way, to the renaissance of traditional arts and culture.

Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra: All the finalists will have the opportunity to work with Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra. The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra is part of the New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts, a classical Chinese dance and music company. The orchestra brings together the finest musicians from the eight orchestras and specializes in performing all-original music based upon China’s rich heritage of 5,000 years of civilization. Alongside performing Shen Yun original works to great acclaim, the orchestra also performs classical masterpieces in its concerts, and frequently records concertos with talented musicians, which are streamed on Shen Yun’s streaming platform, Shen Yun Creations.

Global Reach: The final round and Awards Ceremony will all be live-streamed on NTD and The Epoch Times‘ online and social media platforms, offering nearly 230 million viewers worldwide the opportunity to experience this classical piano event.

  • Gold Award: US$10,000 (1 winner)
  • Silver Award: US$6,000 (1 winner)
  • Bronze Award: US$3,000 (1 winner)
  • Best Rendition of the Commissioned Composition: US$3,000 (1 winners)

Beyond the US$22,000 in total cash awards, the media exposure is game-changing. Finalists and award winners receive featured interviews that are broadcast on global television and published across extensive social media networks in multiple languages. This high-level visibility frequently leads to international performance invitations, the growth of a global fanbase, and expanded career opportunities far beyond the competition itself. 

Absolutely. Traditional competitions are often confined to concert halls and classical music niches, but this competition leverages a global media network. The live rounds are broadcast to a potential audience of nearly 230 million across NTD and The Epoch Times platforms. This offers an unparalleled level of international, mainstream media exposure that traditional piano circuits simply cannot match.

Yes. Hosted by New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD)—a premier global media network—the competition features a world-class jury, takes place in the cultural hub of New York City, and draws top-tier talent from elite music schools and conservatories worldwide.

Yes, earning an invitation to the live rounds in New York City is a significant artistic achievement. All finalists have the opportunity to perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, have their performances professionally recorded and live-streamed globally. Furthermore, the competition provides a rare opportunity to network with a distinguished jury panel, gain masterclass-level insights, and connect with like-minded peers from around the world in a world-class setting.

Eligibility & Key Dates

The competition is open to violinists of all nationalities between the ages of 16 and 28. Contestants must have been born on or after September 17, 1998, and on or before September 16, 2011.

Yes! The NTD International Violin Competition is a truly global event welcoming violinists of all nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Your core repertoire will focus entirely on the European classical tradition (Baroque, Classical, and Romantic). While the unique Commissioned Composition features traditional Chinese melodies, it is expertly arranged for the Western violin to ensure its subtle expressiveness, universal message of hope can be understood and expressed by any classically trained violinist.

The competition is scheduled for September 16–26, 2027. Additional schedule details will be announced.

The online application form, application videos, and all required materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 16, 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance status no later than July 8, 2027.

International contestants are responsible for obtaining the travel documents and visas required to enter the United States. Qualified contestants may request an invitation letter from the Organizing Committee. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and consult the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Repertoire Requirements

All competition repertoire must be performed from memory, including the Commissioned Composition, except for the Beethoven or Brahms sonata with piano in the Preliminary Round. During the live competition, all repertoire must be performed without repeats; indicated repeats, including da capo and dal segno instructions, are to be disregarded.

No. Once submitted, repertoire may not be changed unless the Organizing Committee requires a change.

The competition has a highly specific and noble mission: to preserve and revitalize the centuries-old “golden-age” of violin literature. By focusing exclusively on the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods, we aim to bring back the glory of these foundational masterpieces. We believe this repertoire represents the pinnacle of pure authenticity, pure goodness, and pure beauty, and should be celebrated in its purest form.

Contestants must prepare all four sections:
(A) One Paganini Caprice from Op. 1;
(B) One complete J.S. Bach Partita—No. 1, 2, or 3—from which the jury will select two movements;
(C) One complete Beethoven or Brahms sonata from the listed works, from which the jury will select two movements; Selected movements will be announced three days before the performance date.
(D) One melodic encore piece in the Romantic style.

Semi-finalists must prepare:
(A) One complete Mozart Violin Concerto—No. 3, 4, or 5—to be performed with piano;
(B) One virtuosic Romantic showpiece of the contestant’s choice, 8–15 minutes long;
Pieces that meet the requirements above but may exceed the 15-minute limit during a performance, including Faust Fantasy and Chausson Poème, will also be accepted.
(C) The Commissioned Composition, performed from memory.

Finalists must perform one complete concerto with orchestra:
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

Yes. Contestants must bring original scores for all works, including the piano parts, and be prepared to provide full scores to the Organizing Committee and accompanist for all rounds.

Commissioned Composition

The NTD International Violin Competition is honored to receive permission from the world-renowned composer and Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. D.F., to  select and adapt one of his celebrated works as the Commissioned Composition for solo violin.

The Organizing Committee will email it to all qualified contestants six weeks before the Semi-Final Round.

Yes. It must be performed from memory in the Semi-Final Round.

Yes. One contestant will receive the Best Rendition Award of the Commissioned Composition, valued at US$3,000.

Listening to original compositions of Shen Yun can help violinists get a feel for the modes, manner, and flavor of classical Chinese music. It helps to think of the violin as incorporating traditional Chinese instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, and pipa. Most importantly, keeping a pure mind, humility, and gratitude will help you express the inner core of the work.

Application Process & Application Video

Submit the online application form and all required materials through https://reg.ntd.com/en/?for=violin by June 16, 2027. The package must include the completed application form, a legal guardian’s signature if the applicant is under 18, a recent high-resolution color headshot (300 dpi or higher), a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and the required application videos.

The non-refundable Early Bird fee is US$100 for applications submitted by March 16, 2027. The Standard fee is US$150 for applications submitted by June 16, 2027. Applications cannot be processed without payment.

Submit three separate sections in order:
(A) One Paganini Caprice from Op. 1;
(B) One paired set of movements from a J.S. Bach solo sonata—
Adagio and Fuga from the Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001
Grave and Fuga from the Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003
Adagio and Fuga from the Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005
(C) The first movement of the concerto selected 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

Yes. All written repeats are required for the Paganini Caprice and the selected Bach movements in the application videos. This differs from the live competition rounds, in which repeats are omitted.

Application videos must be submitted as YouTube links, including concerto performances recorded with an orchestra or ensemble.

Each performance must be a single, continuous, unedited take with no audio or video post-production. A visible, continuously running clock or timer must remain clearly in frame for the entire recording. The applicant’s hands and face must always be visible, and the same camera angle must be used throughout.

Yes. Submit each piece as a separate video file and label it in English as: Last Name_First Name_Title of the Piece. If several pieces were recorded in one session, the session may be divided into separate files; however, the two Bach movements must be performed continuously in one take and submitted as one file.

Recordings must have been made within the 12 months before submission. Live performances with an orchestra or ensemble are acceptable if the soloist is always clearly audible and visible. Tutti cuts are acceptable in all works.

Yes. The application-video Paganini Caprice may be performed again in the Preliminary Round, and the concerto selected for the application video will be performed again if the contestant reaches the Final Round.

Logistics, Judging & Dress Code

The jury is appointed by the NTD International Violin Competition Organizing Committee and comprises world-class violinists and established violin educators. The jury assesses contestants’ performances, and its decisions are final.

Yes. Each contestant will be assigned an accompanist at no cost. Contestants may instead bring their own accompanist at their own expense.

Yes. All finalists will have the opportunity to work and perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra.

Contestants must wear conservative formal performance attire during every round. Female contestants should wear a full-length gown.

No. Traveling and lodging expenses are the contestant’s responsibility. However, the Organizing Committee will recommend New York hotels and practice facilities to all qualified contestants in the live rounds of the competition.

Yes. Awards must be accepted in person. Absence from the Award Ceremony constitutes forfeiture of the award and prize.

Rules, Taxes & General Background

The NTD International Violin Competition is the only world-class violin competition hosted by a global television network — New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD). The mission of the NTD International Violin Competition is to preserve and revitalize European classical violin music — the splendid legacy of Western culture and to bring back the glory of violin masterpieces from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.

New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD) was founded in New York in 2001. It is the world’s first global, independent, non-profit Chinese-language television news and entertainment network established by overseas Chinese. NTD began satellite broadcasting in North America in February 2002, then expanded its 24/7 programming to Asia, Europe, and Australia in July 2003. Headquartered in New York City, NTD is internationally recognized for extensive cultural and entertainment programs that blend the best of Eastern and Western cultures, as well as for objective, timely reporting on economic, political, and cultural stories in Chinese.
NTD also produces content in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more. Across satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcasts, streaming platforms, and magazines, NTD connects with around 100 million viewers worldwide. The network also reaches more than 70 million followers across YouTube, X, Facebook, and other social platforms.
Beyond broadcasting, NTD is proud to organize the world’s largest international cultural competitions and events. Since 2007, it has launched a global series of competitions designed to promote and revive world and Chinese traditional culture and arts through large-scale, high-quality cultural programs and major events. This cultural platform—spanning Classical Chinese Dance, Vocal, Han Couture Design, Chinese Culinary, Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Violin, Piano, Oil Painting, Photography, and Beauty Pageant—advances cultural exchange between East and West and helps audiences worldwide better understand the essence of traditional Chinese and Western culture: pure authenticity, goodness, and beauty.
NTD has also been the media sponsor for Shen Yun Performing Arts, hailed as the “world’s number one show.” As Shen Yun rapidly entered the global mainstream market in just a few short years, NTD, as the exclusive television media sponsor, made an indelible contribution by broadcasting Shen Yun’s artistic essence and cultural values to audiences around the world.

No. By applying, contestants agree to the competition’s rules and terms. The organizer reserves the right to livestream, broadcast, record, televise, film, and publicize competition performances, and NTD is entitled to the copyrights of text, audio, visual, and video products made during the competition.

It depends on the nationality of the winner.
No tax will be withheld for prize winners who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Winners must complete a W-9 form, which will be kept on file with NTD. This form provides the necessary information for issuing a 1099-MISC to the winner. It is the winner’s responsibility to report this income to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and file the income tax accordingly.
If the winner is either a non-resident alien in the U.S. or a citizen from another country, he or she must complete a W-8 form and the cash prize is subject to a 30% tax withholding requirement. The winner will receive IRS Form 1042-S from NTD, reporting U.S. source income by foreign persons.
However, depending on the winner’s country of residence, an exception to the withholding tax may apply if the U.S. has a tax treaty with that country.

Contestants must follow the arrangements of the Organizing Committee. The Committee may revoke eligibility and prizes if a contestant violates the rules. The Organizing Committee has sole and final authority to interpret the rules and regulations and may revise them as necessary without prior notice.

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