Welcome to the Festival de Musique Pour Les Candidats Handicapés, an inclusive competition designed to showcase the musical talents of candidates with disabilities from around the world. This competition is open to all ages, nationalities, and instruments, with no restrictions on genre or style. We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and talents, and this competition is our way of ensuring that candidates with disabilities have a platform to do so. We are proud to offer cash prizes, and there are no entry fees for any participant. Join us in celebrating the diversity and richness of the musical community and help us empower candidates with disabilities to reach their full potential.

June 25th, 2023-Preliminay Round

• The Preliminary Round is a screening round in Video Submission format.
• Registration deadline for this round is June 25th, 2023. Video submission and payment of the application and registration fees must be completed by this date.
• Registration begins May 20th, 2023

July 05th, 2023- Final Round Registration

• Registration deadline for the Final Round is July 05th, 2023

July 22nd-25th, 2023- Live Monitored Recording Final Round

• Final Round for Participants who choose Live Monitored Recording format.

July 30th 2023- Online Final Round

• Video Submission Format

August 5th-6th, 2023- In Person Final Round

• Live In-Person format

August 6th, 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.

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

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

Divisions

There are a total of 17 divisions. Divisions 1-13 are based upon the contestant’s birth year:

Divisions 14-17 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.

Composition

• Open Choice
• One piece is required for Novice, Standard and Expert Levels
• Two pieces are required for Virtuoso Level

Classical Music Category

Open Choice

• There are 4 levels of difficulty: Novice (Beginner), Standard (Intermediate), Expert (Early Advanced – Advanced), and Virtuoso (Highly Competitive).
• Collegiate, Master and Professional divisions may only compete at the Expert or Virtuoso levels.

Popular Music Category

Open Choice

Format

• Online(video submission), In Person at Azusa Pacific University, and Live Monitored Recording
• In person Final: August 5th and 6th

• Winners will receive Cash Prizes & Scholarships (Total over $20,000)
• All winners will receive medals and certificates.
• 1st-5th place winners in the Novice, Standard and Expert levels will be awarded medals and certificates.
• 1st-4th place winners in the Virtuoso level will be awarded medals and certificates.
• All 1st place winners will be invited to perform at the Winners’ Concert and Awards Ceremony on August 6th, 2023 at Munson Hall, Azusa Pacific University.
• Cash prizes will be awarded to 1st place winners in the Virtuosic Level

Grand Prize winners of each division will receive $500 and 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.