Application Procedure

This page is last updated on May 23, 2026.

Notice to all performers, teachers, and parents/legal guardians: Registration for the in-person auditions and auditions via video recording will open shortly and continue through November 7, 2026. Once registration is open, log in to your account or create one at the bottom of this page to register for an audition.

In the 2026-2027 season, Elite International Music Competition will take place in two separate categories: Music Performance and Music Composition.

Music Performance Category

In-person auditions are highly encouraged for the contestants in the Music Performance category. Applicants who are unable to attend an in-person audition have the option to audition via video and may send a YouTube link to their audition video recording to the Elite International Music Competition through their accounts. Applicants who have chosen to be audited through audition video recordings must ensure their YouTube video is set to public or unlisted and the performer's full name and title of the musical piece are stated in the title. The video should be recorded in the spirit of a live audition or recital performance and the full image of the performer is shown in the video. Edited video recordings (video shots that have been manipulated and rearranged in order to create a new work) are not accepted. Applicants in this category must perform one composition from the Baroque, or Classical, or Romantic, or Contemporary periods from standard repertoire under 5 minutes 30 seconds. One movement of Sonatina, or Sonata, or Concerto is considered as one piece. Arrangements, simplified or modified editions, popular music, or non-classical music are not accepted. Repeats are not allowed. All repertoire must be performed from memory. The repertoire memorization requirement applies to all soloists, duets, trios, quartets, and ensembles. Applicants may not change the chosen repertoire after the application has been submitted.

The judges reserve the right to stop a performance at their sole discretion at any time during the performance.

The competition in the Music Performance category is divided into the following age categories:

• Elementary: 6-8 years old
• Intermediate: 9-12 years old
• Senior: 13 years and older

Music Composition Category: Applicants in the Music Composition category will only be evaluated based on their audition video recordings available on YouTube. Composer's own unpublished original compositions written for solo, duet, trio, or quartet are acceptable/eligible. Acoustic works that utilize electronic or computer accompaniment are not acceptable/eligible. Legible full score of the composed musical piece in PDF format must be emailed to Elite Music Competition Corp. within 24 hours after the audition application has been completed but no later than the application deadline. The score must have clear markings of title, composer’s name, tempo, dynamics, and expressions. If music is not notated it is considered to be an improvisation, not composition. Either hand-written scores or those notated in a music software program, such as Finale, Sibelius, MusicNote, etc. are acceptable. Each composition is considered as a separate entry. The repertoire for both the audition and recital must be performed from memory by the applicant. The applicant's and composer's full names must match in the application for this category.

The competition in the Music Composition category is divided into the following age categories:

• Elementary: 6-8 years old
• Intermediate: 9-12 years old
• Advanced: 13-17 years old
• Senior: 18 and older

Application Deadline and Fees: Registration and payment of the audition fee according to the fee schedule below will be available in your online account until November 7, 2026.

• Solo Performances: $100
• Duet Performances: $150
• Trio Performances: $200
• Ensemble of four or more members: $64 per each performer

The audition fee must be paid within 24 hours after registration for an audition has been completed but no later than the application and payment deadline. Unpaid registrations for auditions will be invalidated and reserved time slots released to other performers by the system after the 24-hour period.

An audition schedule with specific details and instructions, including the audition center location and audition time, will be emailed to all the applicants registered through their online account at the email address provided by them, no later than 3 days prior to the scheduled in-person audition. A blank evaluation form will be attached to the email. Please fill out the section of the evaluation form named to be filled out by the applicant with some general information, such as, applicant's full name, age, and the piece to be performed and bring it with you along with the original music score to the audition.

Applicants who have successfully passed the audition participate in the Winners Recitals. The Winners Recitals of the first and second place winners will take place at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall as well as may take place at Marc A. Scorca Hall at National OPERA America, Merkin Hall at Kaufman Music Center, and live online via Zoom from January through May 2027. Performance in the Winners Recitals must not exceed 5 minutes 30 seconds.

The recital venue, date, and time may also be offered to the qualified winners by the Elite International Music Competition based upon the competition results.

The Winners Recitals of the third place winners will be held live online via Zoom.

In the United States and Canada auditions will be held on the following dates and at the locations listed below:

For the audition center locations and dates in other countries please contact the Regional Director in your respective area.

For each entry, separate application must be completed in your online account and each application must be accompanied with separate application fee payment. The score given by the judges is final and will become available to either the contestants or their respective teachers within 10 days after the audition date.

If you already have an account with us, please Log in to Your Account to register for an event. If you do not yet have an account set up with us, you can Create an Account to register for an event. Please ensure the performer and teacher information is complete prior to registering for an event, click the Apply button to complete the registration details.

Participants must be of qualifying age as of November 7, 2026 for the upcoming competition.

Multiple winners will be chosen in each age category.

*Application fee and some audition terms may vary outside of the U.S.