Competition Rules

1.   The application form must be postmarked by April 1, 2010.  However, we encourage all contestants to apply at your earliest opportunity in order for the competition committee to address any issues prior to the deadline.   Applications are not considered complete until all documents and fees have been received by the Competition. Applications, photos, or documents submitted via email will not be accepted. All fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full by April 1, 2010. See application for more information, payment details, and options. 

2.    Any applicant who knowingly gives inaccurate or misleading information, or submits an incomplete application, may be disqualified.  

3.    All contestants must submit two official passport photos with the contestants name and category clearly written on the back of both photos.  Photos submitted will be used in the competition program. Only official passport photos will be accepted. Submitting other types of photos may result in your application being rejected. 

4.    Proof of Age, Photographs, and Letters of Recommendation must be postmarked by April 1, 2010.  Age is determined as of April 1, 2010.

5.    All contestants must submit Letters of Recommendation: the Intermediate and Advanced Categories require two letters; Young Musicians and Junior Categories require one. These letters must be from competent musical authorities, i.e. current instructors, conservatory professors, concert artists, etc.  

6.    If deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, the International Russian Music Piano Competition reserves the right to limit the total number of contestants. In addition, contestants repertoire, bio, and letters of recommendation must demonstrate their ability to compete at the international level.    

7.    DVDs, CDs, or Tapes are not required to enter the competition. Please do not submit recordings with the application.  

8.    Foreign Contestants: Consult your nearest American Embassy or Consulate on advice for visas. Upon written request, the International Russian Music Piano Competition will send an Official Letter of Invitation. Official Letters will only be provided to contestants after their application and fee has been submitted and accepted.  The fee for Official Letters of Invitation is $35 which must be paid in advance and is non-refundable.  Letters will be sent via e-mail and through the United States Postal Service (USPS) regular mail with delivery in approximately 20-30 days.  Express Mail can be arranged for (approximately 7-10 days) but must be negotiated with the organizing committee.  The USPS will only guarantee the official letters have been delivered to the country of request, and not to the specific address of the contestant.  Postal service tracking numbers will be forwarded to contestants for online verification, however the competition provides no guarantees as to delivery to the contestant due to procedures and restrictions within certain countries.

9.    During each Round, a contestant’s performance will be in accordance with the order determined by the draw.  The order of performance will remain the same in the event of round advancement.

10.   All contestants are encouraged to attend the Opening Ceremony and Draw on June 4, 2010 at 5:00 pm as important information about the competition will be announced, and contestants will select their own order of performance.  Contestants who are unable to attend the Opening Ceremony and Draw must send a request via e-mail to:  julie@russianmusiccompetition.com prior to June 1, 2010.   For contestants who do not attend the Opening Ceremony and Draw, the Competition Secretary will draw your order of performance for you.  Contestants who do not attend the Opening Ceremony and Draw, and do not arrange for the Competition Secretary to select their order of performance, may be disqualified. Please do not contact the Competition Secretary regarding your order of performance.  The results of the draw for all contestants will be posted online at the competition website by midnight on June 4, 2010.  

11.    All contestants must be ready and willing to perform earlier or later than their scheduled time due to any cancellations and unforeseen schedule changes.  

12.    All works must be performed from memory, (with the exception of the Advanced Final Round). In the event of round advancement, no repetitions in repertoire are permitted.  

13.    No changes of repertoire are allowed after the application is submitted.  

14.    For any unknown works (consult your instructor or music professional), original scores must be provided.  

15.    Actual timing of each work performed must be stated accurately. The length of the program may not exceed the allotted time. Applications with repertoire that exceed the allotted time may be rejected and returned to the contestant. If the repertoire submitted is rejected due to repertoire length, a re-submission must be received by the application deadline.

16.    The Jury has the right:          
    a) To stop the contestants during the performance.  
    b) To withhold awards if entrants fail to reach the required standards.  
    c) To share prizes (except 1st Prize) among an established number of finalists.  

17.    Contacting Jury members before or during the competition is not allowed. Any violation of this rule may result in disqualification. The Jury may be available to speak with eliminated contestants at the conclusion of the rounds prior to the Advanced Final Round.   Note that all jury members may not be available for comment.

18.    No member of the Jury or Board of Directors may present his or her current student at the Competition. Current student is defined as studying within the previous 12 months. Attending or performing at Master Classes is not applicable for this rule.  

19.    All decisions of the Jury are final.  

20. Winners shall be announced on stage at the conclusion of each Category of the Competition. Round advancement shall be posted at the competition site and online. No phone calls will be made, or emails sent, to contestants announcing results.
 
21.    All prizewinners must perform in the Winners Concert in order to receive their awards. Monetary prizes will be paid via US Bank check.  

22.    In the event of any recordings, all contestants shall renounce any claims and fees. All rights belong to the International Russian Music Piano Competition.  

23.    The International Russian Music Piano Competition is open to the public. All contestants shall receive free admission to Master Classes and Lectures as spectators.

23.    Any photography or video-taping of contestants during the competition and winners concert is strictly forbidden.  A professional, high quality DVD of your own performance and the winners concert will be available for purchase.

24.    All contestants are responsible for their own expenses.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All information on this website was correct when posted. However, the International Russian Music Piano Competition reserves the right to make changes if circumstances dictate.  The competition daily schedule may be revised in order to adjust for the number of contestants in each category, and / or the number of contestants who proceed to subsequent rounds.  Note: the competition organizers do not dictate the specific number of contestants who proceed to subsequent rounds, as this decision is made by the jury.  All contestants are encouraged to check the competition website prior to making travel arrangements.