Schedule

September 16th – 26th, 2027

Details to be announced

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Eligibility

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.

Broadcasting

The organizer reserves the right to live-stream, broadcast, record, televise, film, and publicize all competition performances.

Dress Code

All contestants are required to wear elegant and conservative concert attire during all rounds of the competition. Female contestants are required to wear a full-length dress.

Repertoire

All competition repertoires must be performed from memory, including the Commissioned Composition, except for sonatas with piano in the preliminary round.

All repertoires must be presented without repeats. Any indicated repeats, including da capo and dal segno instructions, are to be disregarded.

Once contestants have submitted their repertoire, no changes are permitted unless required by the Competition Committee.

Collaborative Pianists

Each contestant will be provided with a collaborative pianist at no additional cost. Contestants may also bring their own pianist if they prefer; however, costs must be covered by the contestant.

Scores

Contestants are required to bring original scores for all works, including the piano part, and must also be prepared to supply full scores to the Organizing Committee and pianists for all works in all rounds.

REPERTOIRE

COMPETITION ROUND

Preliminary Round

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

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

Final Round

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

See Details

MISCELLANEOUS

By applying to the competition, contestants acknowledge the validity of the Rules and Regulations of the competition.
Contestants must abide by the arrangements of the competition’s Organizing Committee. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to revoke the eligibility and prizes should a contestant be found in violation of the rules.
NTD is entitled to all copyrights of text, audio, visual, and video products made during the competition.
All awards must be accepted by contestants in person at the Award Ceremony. Absence from the Award Ceremony constitutes forfeiture of the awards and prizes.
Contestants are fully responsible for handling any unexpected situations during the competition.
The Organizing Committee has the sole and final authority to interpret these Rules and Regulations and reserves the right to revise, amend, or modify them as necessary. These Rules and Regulations are subject to change without prior notice.
The final round of the competition will be live streamed, and a recorded, edited version will air as a TV special on NTD’s network.

Organizing Committee of the NTD International Violin Competition

BENEFITS

Noble Mission: The NTD International Violin Competition is solely dedicated to preserving and revitalizing the European classical violin music — The mission of this competition is to uphold traditional arts, while honoring the golden age of violin playing through the timeless masterpieces of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. By participating in this event, contestants can join the contribution to the renaissance of traditional culture.
Unique Commissioned Composition: NTD International Violin Competition is honored to honored to have received permission from the world-renewed 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. Drawing upon the rich melodic heritage of traditional Chinese melodies and the expressive depth of the violin, it conveys the profound spiritual and cultural heritage of traditional Chinese civilization. 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 choice to it.
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 Creations.
Global Live Broadcast: The final round will be broadcast live through the global TV networks, websites, and affiliated social media platforms of NTD and The Epoch Times, giving nearly 230 million viewers worldwide the opportunity to experience this musical event.
Global Promotion Platforms: The NTD International Violin Competition is the only world-class violin event hosted by a global media network. As the organizer, NTD is not only the largest overseas Chinese-language media network, but also offers programs in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese and more. NTD connects with around 100 million viewers worldwide through satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcasts, streaming platforms, and magazines. Additionally, the network reaches over 70 million followers across YouTube, X, Facebook and more. NTD’s sister outlet, The Epoch Times, is published in 35 countries and regions. Across its media platforms and social channels—available in 23 languages—it reaches a global audience of 60 million readers and viewers.
Opportunity for Featured Interview: Award winners will have the opportunity to be interviewed and profiled on NTD and The Epoch Times, as well as their affiliated publications and multiple social media platforms.

Contact

Email: [email protected]
Hotline: +1 (855) 561-0888
Mailing address: The NTD International Violin Competition,
129 W 29th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 USA

COMPETITION ROUND

Commissioned Composition

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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.

See Details

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Apply Now

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

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.