Only complete applications will be considered by the Competition Selection Jury. This jury will select twenty duos from the international selection of applicants, and two additional duos chosen from applicants who currently live in Colorado – a total of twenty-two duos. These duos will be invited to compete in two live rounds in Boulder: semi-final round, and final round.

The competition is open to ages 18 through 35. Both competitors must be at least 18 years old on November 3, 2016, and no older than 35 years old on November 6, 2016.

Should any issues arise during the competition regarding these rules, the Jury Chairman, Artistic Director, and an Advisory Committee Member will resolve them.

All video audition files must be in accordance with the following rules:

Applicants should submit the best possible video/audio quality for the first round (recorded round). We recommend using external microphones so that the quality of this recorded performance is representative of the actual playing of the duo.

All audition video files must be uploaded to the BICMC Acceptd website. NO DVDs or CDs will be accepted.

Video audition files must include two contrasting movements representing two different styles and periods from the standard literature; transcriptions and arrangements are acceptable. The chosen repertory should showcase the technical and musical ability of both candidates – no longer than 10 minutes. The Selection Jury will be evaluating both partners individually, as well as the chamber music being made between the two.

Each work must be uploaded in an individual video file.

EDITING is NOT permitted.

Each video must clearly show both applicants’ faces and hands during the performances, using only ONE camera angle.

Video files must have been recorded within the past year.

The following supporting documents must be uploaded with the application:

1. Current biography for each person, between 200 and a maximum of 250 words per contestant, as a WORD file.
2. One (1) professional color photographper person (headshot)uploaded as HI-RES 300dpi JPEG file.
3. Proof of age for both members (scan of passport preferred).

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance/alternate/non-acceptance by e-mail, no later than July 15, 2016.

Applicants should retain copies of all materials sent with their applications. Boulder International Chamber Music Competition is not responsible for any lost documents.

Submitted materials will not be returned.

The decision of pre-screening jury is final and not subject to questions, revisions, or appeal. The decision of live jury (semi-finals and finals), is final and not subject to questions, revisions, or appeal.

VIDEO ROUND – FIRST ROUND:

• 10 minutes maximum; 8 minutes minimum (please stop the recording at 10 minutes, even if the composition is longer than that)
• Two contrasting movements, from two different styles and periods, showcasing the technical and musical ability of both candidates
• For this round applicants must perform works or individual movements from the standard literature; transcriptions and arrangements are acceptable.

If you are unsure whether or not a work is considered to be from the “standard literature”, please contact us immediately with a specific question.

Works composed between 1700 and 1950 are probably acceptable.

More recent transcriptions/arrangements of older works are probably acceptable.

Works composed before 1700 or after 1950 might or might not be acceptable; please contact us with questions.

It should be clear this round is limited to “standard repertoire” and therefore recently rediscovered works, or music composed with experimental notation (for example), will not be considered. In this round we are interested in the duo’s performance; we discourage focusing on radically unconventional programming in the recorded round.

SEMI-FINAL ROUND:

• A total of 20 minutes, which will include the 5-minute required piece, composed by Arthur Gottschalk and to be made available October 3, 2016.
• Contestants are allowed to perform individual movements.
• A minimum of two styles must be represented, in addition to the required piece.

FINAL ROUND

• A total of 30 minutes to include complete works or individual movements from various periods and styles, including –
• One single movement or short work by J.S. Bach (transcriptions and arrangements are acceptable).

Additional information for videos/recorded round, and for semi-final/final rounds:

Full/complete works are not required.

Concertos are NOT allowed.

Transcriptions are allowed and welcomed.

Submitted repertoire is subject to review by Competition officials.

First Prize

$7,000 and up to two professional engagements (for the duo) in the Boulder area in 2017/2018 (or the following season).

 

Second Prize

$4,500 and one professional engagement (for the duo) in the Boulder area in 2017/2018 (or the following season).

 

Third Prize

$3,000 and one potential engagement (for the duo) in the Boulder area in 2017/2018 (or the following season).

Decisions about the terms of offered engagements will be made at the discretion of our partner-presenters.

Special Prize

$500 for the best performance of the required piece, (composed by Arthur Gottschalk).

Submit your application online here:

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