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RULES & GUIDELINES

ACMA Schedule 2025

  • August 3, 2025: Registration Opens
  • OCTOBER 5, 2025: Registration Deadline
  • OCTOBER 12, 2025: Notifications Sent to Approved Contestants
  • OCTOBER 12-15, 2025: Competition Round Applications
  • November 5, 2025: Announcement of Competition Round Winners

ACMC Admissibility 2025

ACMC 2025 welcomes instrumentalists (keyboard, string, wind, and percussion), vocalists, and chamber music performers from all around the world, regardless of nationality. To showcase their musical interpretation, candidates need to submit a video link of their performance. We accept links from major video platforms like 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 2025

The ACMA competition consists of two main stages: the Preliminary Round and the Competition Round. Once the results of the Competition Round are announced, all contestants will receive their diplomas. Participating in the Competition Round does not require an additional fee.

1. Preliminary Round (FREE REGISTRATION)

Participants must submit a video clip (audio-only submissions are not accepted) of their performances using the link provided on our website. Each contestant can submit a single video link that includes different pieces or movements recorded on separate occasions and in different locations. The recordings must be made within 18 months prior to the deadline. Each age category has a maximum allowed 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, although recordings may be paused between pieces.

The competition accepts videos 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 measures.

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

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

The deadline for registration for the ACMA is OCTOBER 5, 2025.

2. Competition Round (INVITATION & APPLICATION)

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

The application fee for the competition round is $89. For chamber music and four-hand piano, the fee is $147 per group. A secure payment link will be provided. Once the fee is paid, it is non-refundable under any circumstances.

All participants will receive a high-resolution digital diploma after the results of the competition round are announced.

Evaluation Criteria ACMA 2025

  • 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 OCTOBER 5, 2025.