We've gathered the many interlocking pieces of any competition—application deadlines, eligibility rules, artistic disciplines, frequency, dates, fees, jury members—to present our largest Guide to Top Competitions.

On a technical note, you’ll see that many dates in the Guide reflect the near two-year pause caused by the pandemic. In some cases, the deadline for applications has passed and the judges have already made their choices (and notified them) though the live rounds, both semis and finals, have yet to take place. We are still making strides to recover.

Download the Guide ⤊ or scroll down ⤋ to view information for each competition

The American Pianists Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring American jazz or classical pianists. Winners receive cash and two years of career advancement and support valued at over $200,000, making this one of the most coveted prizes in the music world.

The Azrieli Music Prizes (AMP) celebrate excellence in music composition by awarding four prize packages, each valued at $200,000 CAD: The Azrieli Commission for Canadian Music, the Azrieli Prize for Jewish Music, the Azrieli Commission for Jewish Music and (new in 2024) the Azrieli Commission for International Music.

In its 50th year, CIPC has been redesigned to identify and empower future leaders of the piano world through its innovative competition structure and prizes that meet the needs of artists today. The globally recognized competition offers young musicians the chance to perform with The Cleveland Orchestra.

The NATS Art Song Composition Award program's purpose is to stimulate the creation of quality vocal literature through the cooperation of singer and composer. The performance of the first place winning composition will be premiered at a NATS event.

The biennial NATS Artist Awards competition is designed to assist classical singers prepared to launch a professional career.

The National Musical Theatre Competition is seeking the best emerging musical theatre soloists. Presented by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) as the first national competition for the musical theatre soloist, winners are finding success on Broadway and other theaters across the country.

The exciting experience of NATS Student Auditions continues in 2023 with a national round for classical, musical theatre, and spiritual categories. Originally for classical repertoire only, NATS auditions now encompass musical theatre, other commercial music styles, and (in alternating years) the Hall Johnson Spirituals and American Negro Spirituals competitions.

Entrants will submit a videotaped performance of two contrasting movements of a work by J.S. Bach written for unaccompanied string instrument (Sonatas, Partitas or Suites). Finalists will play complete work at the finals on October 20, 2023. Grand Prize is $5,000 and several performing engagements; second place is $1,000.

Since 1982, the annual International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition has been one of the world's best networked singing competition, with qualifying rounds in about 70 cities worldwide. The singers are judged by a jury consisting of artistic and casting directors from the world's most prestigious opera houses.

The William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition was started by William C. Byrd, conductor of the Flint Symphony Orchestra, for the purpose of helping launch careers for young musicians. Following his untimely death, the St. Cecilia Society of Flint, MI has continued to sponsor the annual classical music competition. The upcoming competitions are: piano (2024); strings (2025); winds and brass (2026); and voice (2027).

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir announces its 14th annual Christmas Carol Commission Competition as part of its commitment to the future of choral music.

Competition is international and open to all candidates of any nationality. It consists of five categories, depending on the age of the candidate. The program is free and its duration depends on the category. Winners will participate in the gala concert in streaming on Live Concert Hall. [https://www.tvclassique.com]

Founded in 1939, the Concours de Genève is one of the world’s leading international music competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting and supporting young talented artists, giving them the necessary tools to launch an international career. The next Competition: Flute & String Quartet.

The Cooper International Competition alternates annually between piano and violin. Open to the public and live-streamed, it is open to musicians ages 13 to 18. The 2023 piano competition will culminate in a final round at Severance Hall, where the top three competitors perform a full concerto with The Cleveland Orchestra.

Contestants compete to win up to $5,000 and perform as a soloist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

The mission of the Hilton Head International Piano Competition is to encourage and support excellence in the performance of classical piano music by showcasing the talents of young pianists on the threshold of their careers in competitions adjudicated by internationally acclaimed judges, and to offer additional performance opportunities.

InterContinental Music Awards is the most cultural and inclusive Los Angeles-based music competition. ICMA evaluates music entries from a global and ethnical perspective by a panel of judges who are active industry professionals and music industry executives.

La Maestra is an international competition and academy for women conductors, co-directed by the Paris Mozart Orchestra and the Philharmonie de Paris. In 2024, La Maestra will provide a high-profile platform for 14 outstanding women conductors who will compete in front of an international jury.

International Music Competition with a Winners Concert at Merkin Hall in New York, NY. There is a $5,000 Grand Prix Award and thousands in other cash prizes and scholarships, along with an esteemed panel of Judges. There will be video quarterfinals, live semifinals and finals (Zoom available). There are three age categories (no age limit for adults) and disciplines are voice, piano, strings, winds/brass, composition, and ensembles.

The MTNA National Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country. The purpose of the Music Teachers National Association Performance competitions is to provide educational experiences for students and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence.

The National Federation of Music Clubs offers awards in several categories for ages 5 and up.

Queen Sonja Singing Competition is one of the world s leading singing competitions that transforms the careers of all participants. The Competition brings together 40 of the best young singers from around the world to compete for its main prizes and to receive coaching, masterclasses, career development sessions, and international exposure.

Begun in 1997 following a bequest to the Allentown Symphony Association from Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt, the competition alternates biennially between violin and cello.

The first prize includes a cash award of $12,000 and a solo concerto engagement with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra.

The Claudette Sorel Piano Competition and Fellows Program is open to talented high school pianists of all nationalities. Designed to support and nurture young artists, we are looking for pianists with great artistic vision who are passionate about piano performance and repertoire. Contestants choose their own repertoire.

New York, New York

Danbury, Connecticut

Munich, Germany

Salt Lake City, Utah

Banff, Alberta, Canada

Provo, Utah

Budapest, Hungary

Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

Besançon, France

Flint, Michigan

Montréal, Qu$#233;bec, Canada

Cleveland, Ohio

Fort Worth, Texas

Dallas, Texas

New York, New York

Cork, Ireland

Bucharest, Romania

South Bend, Indiana

Cologne, Germany

Bergen, Norway

Auckland, New Zealand

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Musashino City, Japan

Bonn, Germany

Indianapolis, Indiana

Stuttgart, Germany

's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

New York, New York

Hannover, Germany

Washington, District of Columbia

To be announced

Vienna, Austria

Leeds, United Kingdom

New York, New York

Utrecht, Netherlands

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Paris, France

Lyon, France

Bamberg, Germany

Copenhagen, Denmark

Budapest, Hungary

Houston, Texas

New York, New York

Miami, Florida

New York, New York

Evanston, Illinois

Gütersloh, Germany

Copenhagen, Denmark

Boca Raton, Florida

New York, New York

Osaka, Japan

Malibu, California

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Columbia, Missouri

Trondheim, Norway

Brussels, Belgium

Tel Aviv, Israel

Harbin, China

Shanghai, China

Helsinki, Finland

Detroit, Michigan

Norrköping, Sweden

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Sydney, Australia

Takamatsu, Japan

Tokyo, Japan

New York, New York

Varallo (VC), Italy

Vercelli, Italy

Washington, District of Columbia

Shreveport, Louisiana

London, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

New York, New York