INTERNATIONAL New Star Piano Competition

Rules and Application Instructions

Please read the following information thoroughly before filling out the application. Failure to comply with the following rules may result in disqualification. The International New Star Piano Competition will be held via .mp4 video file submissions. To apply, fill out the application form via the “Apply” button. Application forms must be filled out clearly and completely.

Applicants must select the correct age group on the application form that corresponds to their age as of November 30, 2024. The grouping are as follows:

◦ Applicants must prepare two solo piano pieces of contrasting styles. One must be from Classical or Baroque Period.
◦ The piece must be memorized.
◦ There is a time limit guideline for each group (not a hard cutoff). Max time combined two songs — no abbreviated version.

◦ The music recording must be clear and free of background noise.
◦ The side of the applicant’s face must be visible in the frame. Both hands and the pedals must also be visible in the frame.
◦ The submitted video may not be used for any purposes except for submission in the competition.
◦ The video may not be edited.
◦ Each piece should be recorded in a single continuous take.
◦ The video should be recorded by a single camera.
All recordings sent will not be returned and will be the sole property of US New Star Music, Inc. US New Star Music, Inc reserves the right to post the winners and their videos to the Internet.

All application forms, fees, and audition videos must be submitted no later than December 7, 2024 to be considered. The entry fee for each category is $120 for the regular registration deadline (November 30, 2024). The entry fee is $140 for the late registration deadline (December 7, 2024).

Application fees must be paid through the online application form via credit card payment (linked below). All application fees are non-refundable.

If applicants are missing application form information or choose to change their music or any application form information, they must resend the application form with all changes and resubmit the audition video if there is a change in music. Any missing fees should be sent in as well.

If any of the above changes are made, applicants must submit an application change form (linked below) in addition to the changed application form or video. An additional re-entry processing fee of $20 must be enclosed with the form.

Applicants may submit their videos through Google Drive, YouTube, WeTransfer, or some video or file sharing platform. All videos must be in .mp4 file format or uploaded online. An audio only file will not be accepted, and an application change request must be submitted, along with its respective form and fee. Each video file or title of the video should be named ‘2024 Piano Audition Video: (Applicant Name): (Composer Name)’. There will be a form field requesting for the link to the video in the online application form.

If submitted through Google Drive, the videos must be shared with competition@usnsmc.org and titled ‘2024 Piano Audition Video: (Applicant Name): (Composer Name)’.

If applicants choose to share their videos by e-mail, the files must be sent to competition@usnsmc.org. Applicants must change the subject of the e-mail to ‘2024 Piano Audition Video: (Applicant Name)’.

The winners of the US New Star Piano Competition will be announced on our YouTube site by January 7, 2024, and on usnsmc.org by Jan 14, 2024. The adjudicators will be professional musician(s), unaffiliated with US New Star Music, Inc (you may visit their bios in the link below). Adjudicator(s) will select winners for each age group. Decisions of the adjudicator(s) are final.

The winners and their videos will be posted on the US New Star Music Competition website. Winners will be announced for each category for each age group. The winners of the International New Star Piano Competition will each receive a certificate, and the First Prize winners will receive a cash prize of $300 per group. Certificates and cash prizes will be sent by January 21, 2024 to the addresses of the applicants’ teachers. However, due to the increase of gas and postage prices of international mail, international winners would need to pay $75 to cover for the shipping and handling and processing fee of the physical certificate.