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RULES & GUIDELINES

ACMA Schedule 2024

  • June 15th, 2024: Registration Opens
  • Registration Deadline: September 15th, 2024
  • September 21st, 2024: Approved Contestants Notified
  • September 21st – 25th, 2024: Competition Round Applications
  • October 18th, 2024: Competition Round Winners Announcement

ACMC Admissibility 2024

The ACMC welcomes instrumentalists (keyboard, string, wind, and percussion instruments), vocalists, and chamber music interpreters from all corners of the globe, regardless of nationality. To showcase their musical interpretation, candidates are required to submit a videoclip link of their performance. We accept links from major video platforms worldwide, including YouTube, Vimeo, BiliBili, or Youku.

Accepted Instruments:

  • Keyboards: Piano, Accordion, Organ
  • Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp
  • Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
  • Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
  • Percussion
  • Four Hands Piano
  • Classical Voice: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass
  • Chamber Music (including instrumental and vocal ensembles): Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, String ensemble, Wind ensemble, Brass ensemble, Chamber Choir Group

Repertoire:

Contestants have the freedom to choose their repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary periods.

Age Groups & Program Duration:

  • Under-fives (Age 5 and under) / up to 5 min
  • Youngsters (Age 6-7) / up to 5 min
  • Kids (Age 8-9) / up to 7 min
  • Tweens (Age 10-11) / up to 7 min
  • Pre-teens (Age 12-13) / up to 9 min
  • Mid-teens (Age 14-15) / up to 9 min
  • Young Adults (Age 16-17) / up to 12 min
  • Emerging Talents (Age 18-19) / up to 12 min
  • Emerging Artists (Age 20-21) / up to 15 min
  • Young Professionals (Age 22-23) / up to 15 min
  • Established Artists (Age 24-25) / up to 20 min
  • Professionals (Age 26 and older) / up to 20 min

Multiple winners may be selected in each age group.

ACMA Competition Format 2024

The ACMA competition consists of three main stages: the Preliminary Round, the Competition Round, and the Nomination Round. Upon publication of the competition round results, contestants will receive their diplomas. Participation in the nomination round does not require an additional payment.

1. Preliminary Round (FREE REGISTRATION)

Participants must submit a video clip (audio submissions are not accepted) of their performances using the link provided on our website. Each contestant can submit a single video link containing different pieces or movements recorded on different occasions and in different locations. The video must include recordings made within the 18 months prior to the deadline. Each age category has a maximum duration for the video.

Multiple cameras may be used for recording, but no sound effects may be added (opening credits with the musician’s name, piece title, and composer are acceptable). Each piece must be recorded continuously, and recordings may be paused between pieces.

The competition accepts video recordings with piano, orchestra, chamber ensemble, wind, percussion, or any other accompaniment required by the published work.

COVID-19 exception: The competition will accept recordings with pre-recorded accompaniment for entries unable to record live with accompanying musicians due to social distancing.

Participants must dress appropriately and professionally in their best performance attire.

Violation of any rules or regulations may result in disqualification from the competition. The ACMA reserves the right to make changes, and all contestants will be notified promptly of any changes.

The deadline for registration for the ACMA is September 15th, 2024.

2. Competition Round (INVITATION & APPLICATION)

Contestants who advance from the preliminary round will receive an invitation by email with instructions on how to apply for the competition round. Only participants who pass the preliminary round are eligible to proceed to the competition round.

The application fee for the competition round is $88. For chamber music and four-hand piano, the fee is $144 per group. A secure payment link will be provided. Once the entrance fee is paid, it cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

All participants will receive a high-resolution digital diploma upon publication of the competition round results.

Evaluation Criteria ACMA 2024

  • Platinum Prize: 99 points
  • Gold Prize: 94-98 points
  • Silver Prize: 87-93 points
  • Bronze Prize: 78-86 points
  • Special MENTION: 71-77 points
  • Honor MENTION: 65-70 points
  • Finalist’s Certificate: 55-64 points

The number of awards is limited, but they can be shared if more than one contestant reaches the same score.

The deadline for registration for the ACMA is September 15th, 2024.