Categories, Rules & Eligibility
Please, read the below and email us if you have any questions before applying, thank you.
The St. Cecilia International Vocal and Instrumental Music Competition is open to every musician from across the world who performs, composes or conducts in the Western Classical tradition, with additional categories available for Musical Theatre and Traditional Music performers. The competition ONLY accepts video recordings as category submissions.
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Candidates may apply for ONE general category only, including the Professional (Open) category. The Professional category is open to anyone, regardless of age, if they feel they are of professional standard.
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Candidates may apply for multiple specialist categories - up to five in total.
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Applicants are eligible for any prize of any category they enter for. Each entry will also be judged and considered separately for the grand prize.
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There will be three rounds: the preliminary round, semi-final and final round. Candidates may use the same or different material for each round, depending on what they would like to showcase.
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Entry Fees
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One category - £50
Two categories - £85
Three categories - £110
Four categories - £150
Five categories - £185
General Categories
Professional (Open - no age limit)
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Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 25 minutes.
Young Artist (Ages 22-26 inclusive)
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Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 20 minutes.
Advanced (Ages 18-21 inclusive)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 15 minutes.
Intermediate (Ages 14-17 inclusive)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 12 minutes.
Junior (Ages 11-13 inclusive)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 10 minutes.
Novice (Ages 8-10 inclusive)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 8 minutes.
Preliminary (Ages 7 and under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition.
Video duration: max. 6 minutes.
Specialist Categories
Baroque A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Baroque period.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Classical A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Classical period.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Romantic A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Romantic period.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Modern A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Western Classical tradition post-1900.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Musical Theatre A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in the Musical Theatre style.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Traditional Music A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written in a Traditional, National or Folk Music style.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Own Composition A (Ages 18 and Over) / B (Ages 17 and Under)
Free choice of one or more pieces written by the candidate themselves.
Video duration: max. 25 / 15 minutes.
Video Requirements
A video of the performance(s) submitted through the application form as a YouTube link is required for entry. No other format will be accepted.
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Works do not need to be performed from memory but memorisation is encouraged.
Please include the name of the participant, and name of the piece(s) and composer, name of category(ies) and instrument (including voice, composition and conducting) in the description of the video.
Make sure that the video is set to PUBLIC or UNLISTED on YouTube. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the video link is openable.
The video must clearly show the face, hands and instrument of the candidate.
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Pieces may be recorded separately or in one take.
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The total video duration should include the time between pieces.
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A high-quality video recording is recommended but is not compulsory.
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The camera does not need to be stationary for the video.
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The competitor may use previously recorded videos (we do not insist that you record something specifically for the St. Cecilia International Vocal and Instrumental Music Competition).