Application

  • Registration for this competition is currently closed and will reopen in 2024.

Schedule

May 27th-28th, 2023 – Chamber I

  • The Chamber I is for groups with 3 or more instruments.
  • The format for this round is Live In-Person at Azusa Pacific University or Live Monitored Recording.
  • Live Monitored Recording must be completed by May 27th.
  • Registration deadline for this round is May 1st, 2023.
  • Late entrance is accepted until May 10th with a $20 late fee.

April 15th-20th, 2023 – Chamber II Preliminary Round

  • The Chamber II is for groups with 1 or 2 instruments.
  • The Chamber II Preliminary Round is a screening round in Video Submission format.
  • Registration deadline for this round is April 20th-25th, 2023. Payment of the application and registration fees must be completed by this date.
  • Late entrance is accepted until April 30th with a $10 late fee.

May 27th-28th, 2023 – Chamber II Final Round

  • The format for this round is Live In-Person at Azusa Pacific University or Live Monitored Recording.
  • Live Monitored Recording must be completed by May 25th.
  • Registration deadline for this round is May 10th, 2023.

Differences between Live In-Person and Live Monitored Recording

  • For contestants who are unable to compete in person, we offer the Live Monitored Recording. This is a hybrid format in which you will record your performance in the comfort of your home (or other suitable location) while one of our judges supervises the recording session via a Zoom session.
  • Live Monitored Recording combines the high-quality video and audio of a camera recording with the authenticity of a live Zoom session.
  • You will need two devices to participate in the competition using the Live Monitored Recording format; one to record your performance, and another to provide the Zoom session.
  • Once the recording is complete and the Zoom session has ended, contestants will need to immediately send us their video. Since high quality video recording tend to be rather large, we highly recommend uploading them via our WeTransfer account at https://iapmt.wetransfer.com/.
  • In order to authenticate your video recording, the judge will compare it with their Zoom recording to make sure that the two recordings are a perfect match.

May 28th, 2023 – Winners’ Concert and Awards Ceremony

  • The Winners’ Concert and Awards Ceremony will be held in Munson Hall at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.

May 31st, 2023 – Chamber III Online Competition Deadline

  • This is an online competition in video submission format which consists of 1 round only.

August 19th-20th, 2023 – Special Award Winners’ Concert

  • The second Special Award Winners’ Concert will be held at Soka Performing Arts Center in Aliso Viejo, California.

Rules and Regulations

  • The chamber competition is open to Piano, Strings, Winds, Brass, Voice and Guitar.
  • Formal attire is required for all rounds.

Divisions

  • Competitor’s age group will be determined by the birth year of the oldest member.
  • Each member of the ensemble or chamber group has to sign up separately.

There are a total 20 divisions. Divisions 1-13 are based upon the contestant’s birth year:

Division12345678910111213
Year Born2017 or later201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005

Divisions 14-20 have no age limit and are as follows:

  • Division 14 • Amateur • Non-Music degree holder who works in a non-music related field.
  • Division 15 • Collegiate • Holds a bachelor’s degree or is studying towards one.
  • Division 16 • Master • Holds a master’s degree or is studying towards one.
  • Division 17 • Professional • Holds a DMA degree, is studying towards one.

Special Divisions:

  • Division 18 • Siblings
  • Division 19 • Parent and Child
  • Division 20 • Grandparent and Grandchild

Chamber I Categories

  • The Chamber I is for groups with 3 or more instruments.
  • The Chamber I consists of a single round and is Live In-Person or Live Monitored Recording.
  • Trio • 3 instruments
  • Quartet-Quintet • 4 or 5 performers/instruments
  • Multiple • 6 or more performers/instruments

Chamber II Categories

  • The Chamber II is for groups with 1 or 2 instruments.
  • The Chamber II consists of two rounds. The Preliminary Round is in Video Submission format, while the Final Round is Live In-Person or Live Monitored Recording.
  • Duet • 1 instrument, 2 performers
  • Duo • 2 instruments, 2 performers
  • Trio-Quartet • 1 or 2 instruments, 3 or more performers

Chamber III All Categories

  • The Chamber III is a separate competition which consists of a single round in online video submission format.
  • Trio • 3 instruments
  • Quartet-Quintet • 4 or 5 performers/instruments
  • Multiple • 6 or more performers/instruments
  • Duet • 1 instrument, 2 performers
  • Duo • 2 instruments, 2 performers
  • Trio-Quartet • 1 or 2 instruments, 3 or more performers

Composition

  • Contestants may perform any 1 piece or movement written or arranged for 2 or more performers/instruments.
  • Original compositions, arrangements, and transcriptions of entire compositions may be used.
  • Memorization is not required for all disciplines.
  • There are 4 levels of difficulty: Novice (Beginner), Standard (Intermediate), Expert (Early Advanced – Advanced), and Virtuoso (Highly Competitive).
  • Collegiate, Master and Professional age groups may only compete at the Expert or Virtuoso levels.

Time Limits and Fees per person (Chamber I and II Final Round)

DivisionAge GroupNoviceStandardExpertVirtuosoTime Limit
Division 1-62012-2017 or later$45$50$55$604 minutes
Division 7-132005-2011$50$55$60$655 minutes
The following divisions have no age limit.
Division 14Amateur$55$60$65$706 minutes
Division 15Collegiate$65$706 minutes
Division 16Master$70$808 minutes
Division 17Professional$70$808 minutes
Division 18Siblings$45$50$55$605 minutes
Division 19Parent and Child$50$55$60$655 minutes
Division 20Grandparent and Grandchild$50$55$60$655 minutes

Time Limits and Fees per person (Chamber III)

DivisionAge GroupNoviceStandardExpertVirtuosoTime Limit
Division 1-62017-2012 or later$35$40$45$504 minutes
Division 7-132011-2005$40$45$50$555 minutes
The following divisions have no age limit.
Division 14Amateur$45$50$55$606 minutes
Division 15Collegiate$55$606 minutes
Division 16Master$60$708 minutes
Division 17Professional$60$708 minutes
Division 18Siblings$35$40$45$505 minutes
Division 19Parent and Child$40$45$50$555 minutes
Division 20Grandparent and Grandchild$40$45$50$555 minutes

You are allowed to perform pieces that are longer than the specified time limit. However, it’s important to know that the judges will stop your performance once the time limit is reached. Rest assured, this will not have any impact on how your performance is evaluated or the final results.

Awards

  • All winners will receive medals and certificates.
  • 1st-5th place winners in the Novice and Standard levels will be awarded medals and certificates.
  • 1st-4th place winners in the Expert and Virtuoso levels will be awarded medals and certificates.
  • Selected 1st place winners will be invited to perform at the Winners’ Concert and Awards Ceremony on May 28th, 2023 at Munson Hall, Azusa Pacific University.
  • Ten electronic pianos sponsored by Hanmi’s Piano will be awarded as the grand prize to the winners of the in-person competition.
  • Grand Prize winners will have a chance to perform at Soka Performing Arts Center in August of 2023, as well as receiving a master class featuring world renowned musicians.
  • Special Awards Grand Prize winners from Piano, Violin, and Cello disciplines will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend the Montecito International Music Festival (Session 3, July 6th-17th), and they will be invited to play with the Montecito International Festival Orchestra at Cal Baptist University.

Video Recording Rules

  • Participants need to announce their full name, birthyear, division and category at the beginning of each video.
  • Videos must clearly show the contestant’s face and provide a clear view of the keyboard/instrument, hands, and feet (for instruments with pedals). A tripod for your recording device will likely be necessary and can be easily purchased from online merchants.
  • You may use any recording device you wish. Smartphones generally have better cameras than tablets or laptops.
  • Videos must be whole, uninterrupted takes with no distractions or background noise.
  • Post-Production (Splicing, Editing, etc.) of the video or audio if strictly forbidden and will lead to disqualification.
  • Formal and appropriate attire must be worn, otherwise the video may be rejected.

Video Submission

  • Please edit the filenames of the videos so that they contain the contestant’s full name, birthyear, division, title of the song, and composer’s full name.
  • Visit https://iapmt.wetransfer.com/ and add all of your videos to the transfer. For the title, please provide the contestant’s name, birthyear, level, and category.
  • The IAPMT maintains copyright of all videos, audio, and photographs taken during the competition and retains legal usage rights of said videos, audio, and photographs.