Singapore International Music Competition

Rules & Regulations

I
Singapore International Music Competition (SIMC) is an annual competition organized by International Performing Arts and Cultural Organization Singapore (Pte Ltd).


II
SIMC 2023 (for Piano & Violin) is open to candidates of all nationalities born in or after 1992 (30-year-old and below). The age category follows the deadline of the competition.

III
The deadline for application is on September 30, 2023. Application can be made via the link here .
Selection process is based on video submission only, no travel required. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.


IV 
An international jury panel appointed by the organising committee will select applicants based solely on the submitted video(s). Result will be published on our website on October 31, 2023.

A selected group of winners will also receive an invitation to perform in the Winners Gala Concert & Award ceremony at the  Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Recital Studio on 26 December, 2023.

 

 

Application fees are as follows:

Cat A – B: 140 SGD
Cat C – D: 160 SGD
Cat E –  F: 180 SGD


Age & Categories
The competition is divided into Solo Piano and Solo Violin. The category and section are as follows:

Section Category Age Duration
Debut
Cat. A
6 and below
Up to 5 minutes
Junior
Cat. B
7 - 9 years
Up to 7 minutes
Emerging
Cat. C
10 - 12 years
Up to 9 minutes
Youth
Cat. D
13 - 15 years
Up to 12 minutes
Young Artist
Cat. E
16 - 18 years
Up to 16 minutes
Artist
Cat. F
19 - 30 years
Up to 22 minutes

Participants are allowed to apply for more than one category or division and are allowed to apply in a higher age group than their current age.


Repertoire Guidelines

  • Free choice repertoire
  • Maximum 2 pieces are allowed for each category
  • Participants are strongly encouraged to present contrasting pieces 
  • All works must be performed from memory
  • Repeats are optional and at the discretion of the performer

Video submission guidelines

  1. Video performance recordings must not exceed the maximum time allowed for chosen category and should include all pauses and non-playing time. 
  2. The video must be unedited and must clearly show the applicant’s hand and face.
  3. Description of the recording (Applicant’s name in Full, composer and full title of piece) must be clearly stated in English only. 
  4. Participants can either send one video link containing two videos or send two separate video links.
  5. Professional recording is not compulsory but the video and audio quality must be reasonable with minimal background noise.
  6. Please upload and submit the video by URL link only (YouTube, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Youku or similar video online platforms), video must not be private.
  7. No changes of repertoire will be permitted after the application has been submitted and accepted.

Marking Criteria

The members of the jury consist of an international panel of renown educators and musicians nominated by the competition committee. 

The jury will evaluate each participant that totals to a 100 point system based on five (5)  marking criterias (the final score is based on an average taken up to 2 decimal points): 

  • Stylistic awareness 
  • Technical facility  
  • Musicality 
  • Sound maturity 
  • General presentation

Awards 🏆

  • Absolute                             98 and above
  • Gold                                       90 – 97.99
  • Silver                                     85 – 89.99
  • Bronze                                 80 – 84.99
  • Merit                                    70 – 79.99
  • Participation                    69.99  and below

Multiple winners can be awarded for each category (except absolute prize) The committee reserves the right not to award certain prizes if the required marks are not reached. The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed. 

All participants will receive an e-certificate of achievement based on the awarded marks.
Selected winners will also receive an invitation to perform at the Winners Gala Concert & Award ceremony at the  Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Recital Studio on 26 December, 2023.

Teachers with students awarded as top prize winners shall receive an e-certificate of “Excellence Teaching Award”.




General Rules

  1. Application fees are non-refundable.
  2. By submitting an application online and subsequently participating in SIMC 2023, the applicant accepts and agrees to abide by all the rules and regulations as stated.
  3. The SIMC competition committee reserves the right to make any changes to the rules, schedule and any information relating to the prizes at any time.
  4. The organising committee reserves the right to video broadcast and to post competition performances on websites and other media without payment of compensation to the contestants.
  5. Prize-winners invited to the gala concert, international festivals, masterclasses are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.

Gala Concert & Award Ceremony Rules

  1. The trophy and physical certificate shall only be given exclusively to winners who personally attend the Gala Concert & Award Ceremony without any exemptions under any circumstances.
  2. The organising committee shall not be responsible for any losses or damage to personal belongings of participants.
  3. Participants below 18 years old shall be under the full responsibility and supervision from their parents or legal guardians. 
  4. The organising committee has the right to record and document the Gala Concert, participants waive all rights to television broadcasting remuneration. There will be no financial remuneration for their performance. 
  5. All participants shall be responsible for their own expenses related to the concert (travel, accommodations, visa).
  6. Violinists are expected to arrange for their own piano accompanists or inquire about hiring an accompanist (subject to a fee) with the competition committee in advance through email info@simcsg.com