Round IPaganini, Bach, Beethoven or Brahms, and one melodic encore. Emphasizes classical foundation, purity of tone, disciplined technique and musical understanding.
2027 Competition
September 16–26, 2027 · New York City, NY, USA
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Schedule
All dates are 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
| March 16 | Early Bird deadline. Applications submitted by this date pay the Early Bird rate of US$100. |
|---|---|
| June 16 | Application deadline. The completed application form, video recordings and all required materials must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Standard rate: US$150. |
| By July 8 | Acceptance notices. Applicants are notified of their status by email. |
| Six weeks before the Semi-Final | Commissioned Composition sent. The Organizing Committee emails it to all qualified contestants. |
| September 16–26 | The competition. Preliminary, Semi-Final and Final Rounds in New York City. The Final Round is livestreamed. Further details will be announced. |
Rules and Regulations
01
Eligibility
Open to violinists of all nationalities between the ages of 16 and 28. Contestants must have been born on or after September 17, 1998, and on or before September 16, 2011.
02
The Jury
A jury of world-class violinists and established violin educators, appointed by the Organizing Committee, assesses all performances. The decisions of the Jury are final.
03
Broadcasting
The organizer reserves the right to live-stream, broadcast, record, televise, film and publicize all competition performances.
04
Dress Code
Elegant and conservative concert attire is required in all rounds. Female contestants are required to wear a full-length dress.
05
Repertoire
All repertoire is performed from memory, including the Commissioned Composition, except the sonatas with piano in the Preliminary Round. Pieces are performed without repeats; da capo and dal segno are disregarded. Repertoire cannot be changed once submitted unless the Competition Committee requires it.
06
Pianists & Scores
Each contestant is provided a collaborative pianist at no cost, or may bring their own at their own expense. Contestants must bring original scores for all works, including the piano part, and be ready to supply full scores to the Committee and pianists.
Competition Rounds
Round I
Round IIA Mozart concerto, a Romantic virtuoso showpiece and the Commissioned Composition. Calls for refinement, expressive control and command of contrasting styles.
Round IIIA complete concerto with orchestra: Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Sibelius or Tchaikovsky.
East meets WestSent six weeks before the Semi-Final. Performed from memory and judged for faithful interpretation, musical insight and artistic sincerity.
How to Apply
Submit the completed application form, video recordings and all required materials online at reg.ntd.com by June 16, 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Application fee
| Early Bird | US$100, submitted by March 16, 2027 |
|---|---|
| Standard | US$150, submitted by June 16, 2027 |
The fee is non-refundable, and applications cannot be processed without it. Accepted: online payment, credit card, traveler’s checks and money orders. Make checks payable to New Tang Dynasty.
Required documents
- Completed online application form. A legal guardian must sign if the applicant is under 18.
- A high-resolution color headshot (300 dpi or higher) taken within the past 12 months, preferably a professional photo suitable for publicity.
- A copy of a valid government-issued photo ID.
- Application videos (see below).
International contestants are responsible for obtaining their own travel documents and U.S. visas. Please consult the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Early submission is strongly recommended.
Application Video
Record sections A, B and C separately and submit them in that order, as YouTube links.
A
N. PaganiniRomantic
One of the 24 Caprices, Op. 1. Perform all written repeats. This caprice may be played again in the Preliminary Round.B
J.S. BachBaroque
Two movements from one solo sonata. Perform all written repeats.- Sonata No. 1 in G minor: Adagio and Fuga, BWV 1001
- Sonata No. 2 in A minor: Grave and Fuga, BWV 1003
- Sonata No. 3 in C major: Adagio and Fuga, BWV 1005
C
Concerto, first movementWith piano or orchestra
The concerto chosen here is the one you will perform in the Final Round. Tutti cuts are acceptable.- Beethoven, Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
- Brahms, Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
- Mendelssohn, Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
- Sibelius, Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
- Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Recording rules
- Each performance must be a single, continuous, unedited take with no video or audio post-production.
- A visible, continuously running clock or timer must stay in frame for the entire recording. Edited videos, or videos without a continuous visible time reference, will be disqualified.
- Your hands and face must always be visible, with the same camera angle throughout.
- Recordings must have been made within the 12 months before submission.
- One file per piece, labeled in English as Last Name_First Name_Title of the Piece. Pieces from one session may be cut into separate files, but the Bach sonata must be one continuous take in one file.
- Live performances with orchestra or ensemble are acceptable if the soloist is always clearly audible and visible.
After You Apply
Applicants are notified of their status by email no later than July 8, 2027. Qualified contestants receive an invitation to the Preliminary Round, which may be used for a U.S. visa application and competition-day registration.
The Organizing Committee emails the Commissioned Composition to qualified contestants six weeks before the Semi-Final Round. The Committee does not arrange flights, accommodation or practice facilities, but recommends New York hotels and practice spaces to qualified contestants.
Miscellaneous
- By applying, contestants accept the Rules and Regulations of the competition.
- Contestants must abide by the arrangements of the Organizing Committee, which may revoke eligibility and prizes for rule violations.
- NTD holds all copyrights to text, audio, visual and video products made during the competition.
- All awards must be accepted in person at the Award Ceremony. Absence forfeits the awards and prizes.
- The Final Round will be livestreamed, and an edited version will air as a TV special on NTD’s network.
- The Organizing Committee has sole and final authority to interpret these rules and may revise them without prior notice.
Why Compete
Noble Mission
Dedicated to preserving and reviving European classical violin music and the masterpieces of the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
A Unique Commissioned Work
A solo violin piece adapted from a work by Mr. D.F., composer and Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, blending Eastern melody with Western technique.
Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra
All finalists have the opportunity to work with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, which draws the finest musicians from Shen Yun’s eight orchestras.
Global Live Broadcast
The Final Round is broadcast live across NTD and The Epoch Times TV networks, websites and social media, reaching nearly 230 million viewers.
Global Promotion
The only world-class violin event hosted by a global media network. NTD reaches about 100 million viewers and over 70 million social media followers.
Featured Interviews
Award winners may be interviewed and profiled on NTD, The Epoch Times and their affiliated publications and social channels.
