WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SEVENTH EDITION OF THE COMPETITION!
Ladies and Gentlemen, we are pleased to invite you to participate in the seventh edition of the International Music Competition OPUS! Since the beginning of the year, we have been receiving messages from you asking about the opening date and we are very pleased that many of them were signed by familiar names. We are happy that younger and older instrumentalists from all over the world find in OPUS the values we wanted – fair assessment, valuable opinions of the jury and tips for further work, and above all, inspiration to constantly develop their skills. We often have the opportunity to meet the competition laureates live during courses or concerts and it fills us with great pride to watch their progress. We also continue to work on the development of the International Music Competition OPUS, this year we have slightly modified the age categories, which will now be better suited to the instrumental development of our young participants.
We encourage you to follow our Facebook profile to stay up to date with the latest information and we are looking forward to your recordings!
Organizers
The first five editions gathered participants from 27 countries around the world, and the recordings were listened to by over 60 jurors. In addition to cash prizes, we gave our winners almost 200 medals for the youngest Little Virtuosos, over 150 valuable prizes in the form of sheet music and accessories for musical instruments, and about 80 invitations to courses, workshops and instrumental master classes.
results opus 2024 here
Results opus 2023 Here
Results opus 2022 Here
RESULTS OPUS 2021 HERE
RESULTS OPUS 2020 here
RESULTS OPUS 2019 HERE
Who can apply?
The competition is dedicated to the musicians of all nationalities up to the 32 years old playing the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, accordion, guitar, lute, harp and chamber music ensembles.
When can you apply?
15.01.2025 – 04.04.2025
How to apply?
To take part in the competition, you must prepare a link to an audio-video recording posted on YouTube and complete the interactive application form available above. The length of recording should be in accordance with the age category a participant belongs to. More information in regulations.
Regulations
International Music Competition
Opus 2025
§ 1 General terms
- The organizer of the International Music Competition Opus 2025 (further: “Competition”) is the Life and Art Foundation with its main office in Krakow, Poland.
- The competition is held only online. Every necessary piece of information concerning the competition is posted on the website www.lifeandart.eu
§ 2 Organization of the competition
- The participants of the competition are divided into the following categories:
a) soloists:
- category “Little virtuoso”: born in 2017 and later – program free of choice up to 5 minutes;
- category A: born in 2016 – 2015 – program free of choice up to 5 minutes;
- category B: born in 2014 – 2012 – program free of choice up to 5 minutes;
- category C: born in 2011 – 2009 – program free of choice up to 8 minutes;
- category D: born in 2008 – 2006 – program free of choice up to 10 minutes;
- category E: born in 2005 – 2001 – program free of choice up to 12 minutes;
- category F: born in 2000 – 1993 – program free of choice up to 15 minutes;
b) chamber ensembles:
- category G: under 13 years old – program free of choice up to 8 minutes;
- category H: 13 – 19 years old – program free of choice up to 15 minutes;
- category I: 20 – 32 years old – program free of choice up to 20 minutes;
- The competition is divided into the following sections:
- section I – piano;
- section II – string instruments;
- section III – wind instruments (all wind and brass instruments);
- section IV – percussion, accordion, guitar, lute, harp;
- section V – chamber music (2 – 10 performers);
- The age category of the chamber music ensembles is based on the average of the ages of the performers calculated for January 1st 2025.
- Each participant can apply for the solo category and as a member of one or more chamber ensembles, paying the participation fee each time.
- It is not allowed to participate in solo and chaber music category with the same program.
§ 3 The participants of the competition
- The instrumentalists of all nationalities can take part in the Competition, including: the students of music schools of the first and second degree, students and graduates of higher education schools, performing classical music. The competition is dedicated to the musicians up to the 32 years old.
- The competition is dedicated to the musicians playing the following instruments: piano, violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba, percussion, accordion, guitar, lute, harp.
- The participation in the competition is voluntary.
§ 4 Terms of participation
- In order to participate in the Competition it is mandatory to prepare 1 (one) link with an audio-video recording on YouTube (not a playlist). The length of recording should be in accordance with the category a participant is assigned to. The tittle of video should contain: International Music Competition OPUS 2025, name and surname of the participant. The description of the recording on YouTube must include the following: International Music Competition OPUS 2025, name and surname of the participant, section, category, instrument, program. We recommend that the video on YouTube be set to public playback.
- The recording cannot be edited and should contain the whole silhouette of the performer or the whole ensemble, from the distance that enables to identify participants. The registration should be made on one camera without any cuts during the performance. It is allowed to record the parts of a musical piece separately or few independent pieces and combine them into one video.
- The participant of the competition pays a non-refundable application fee:
a. 50 Euro for solo categories;
b. 30 Euro for each performer in chamber ensembles categories.
Life and Art Foundation does not account or have any liability for any participants’ bank fees and charges that may be levied as a result of currency conversion, foreign exchange transaction, or non-sufficient funds (NSF) transaction. The payment should be completed to:
Recipient Life and Art Foundation
Bank of beneficiary – Nest Bank
IBAN PL04253000082062104094900001
SWIFT/BIC NESBPLPW
Remittance information: International Music Competition Opus 2025 + name and surname;
or PayPal competitionopus@lifeandart.eu
- In order to participate in Competition it is necessary to fill interactive application form available on competition’s website, uploading there link to video recording and payment confirmation. Submitting application form is equivalent to agreement to process personal data and acceptance of regulations. Online application form will be active between 15th January 2025 – 4th April 2025.
- Chamber ensemble fills one application form. If ensemble members make transfers separately, please collect the confirmations and attach them as one file.
- Any questions should be send to competitionopus@gmail.com
§ 5 Awards and decisions of the jury
- In “Little virtuoso” category competitors receive medals: gold, silver, bronze – according to gathered points. Each jury member gives points 0-100 evaluating the performances according to the following criteria: intonation (in case of pianists precision), articulation, rhythmical precision, interpretation and musicality, the level of program. Final score is the average of the scores given by individual members of jury. The medals are given according to the following table:
Gold medal | 95 – 100 points |
Silver medal | 85 – 94 points |
Bronze medal | 70 – 84 points |
- In categories A-F jury members gives points 0-100 evaluating the performances according to the following criteria: intonation (in case of pianists precision), articulation, rhythmical precision, interpretation and musicality, the level of program. Final score is the average of the scores given by individual members of jury. The prizes are given according to the following table:
Grand Prix | 100 points |
First Prize | 95 – 99 points |
Second Prize | 90 – 94 points |
Third Prize | 85 – 89 points |
Honourable mention | 80 – 84 points |
Participation certificate | less than 80 points |
- The Grand Prix winners of each age category will receive the following prizes:
Category A 300 PLN
Category B 300 PLN
Category C 400 PLN
Category D 500 PLN
Category E 800 PLN
Category F 1200 PLN
Category G 800 PLN
Category H 1000 PLN
Category I 2000 PLN
- The winners of the first three prizes as well as the honoured performers in every section and category are the laureates of the Competition. The Jury has the right not to bestow the awards or to decide to share the awards ex aequo.
- Special prizes can be awarded, of which the jury decides.
- Awards can be monetary or non-monetary (participation in music courses, participation in concerts, invitations for masterclasses, shopping vouchers, accessories to the instruments, sheets).
- A panel of judges evaluates a submitted audio-video material in full length, regarding maximum time for each age category.
- Participants’ performances will be evaluated by an international jury consisting of respectable musicians. More info will be available soon.
- The names and surnames of the laureates of the Competition will be published on the website on the 19th May 2025. Every participant receives a certificate of attendance and short opinion on a performance, send by e-mail.
- The diplomas of laureates will be sent by e-mails.
- Little Virtuoso laureates receive their medals by post.
- The decisions of the jury are final.
MEET OUR JURY
FAQ:
1. Can I apply for more than one category?
Yes, each participant can apply for the solo category and as a member of one or more chamber ensembles, paying the participation fee each time. It is not allowed to apply for the solo and chamber categories with the same program.
2. Do I have to attend the winners’ concert to receive the award?
No
3. What document should I attach as proof of age?
Any document containing the participant’s date of birth, e.g. school ID.
4. Can the program be performed from sheet music?
Yes, the program can be performed from sheet music. Playing from memory does not affect the jury’s assessment.