How to Enter

Rules and How to Enter

Stages of the Competition

The Competition will have five (5) stages: Preliminary Screening Round; Round One of the Competition; Round Two of the Competition; Semi Final Round; and the Final Round of the Competition.

The Application deadline will be Friday 30 September 2022.

All Applicants will compete in the Preliminary Screening Round. A panel appointed by Musica Viva will then select ensembles to perform live in Melbourne for Round One and Round Two of the Competition.

There is no time limit for the Preliminary Screening Round; maximum stage time for Round One and Round Two is sixty (60) minutes; maximum stage time for the Semi Final Round is forty-five (45) minutes; there is no time limit for the Final Round.

Up to sixteen (16) ensembles will compete in Round One and Round Two: up to eight (8) string quartets and eight (8) piano trios.

Up to ten (10) ensembles will compete in the Semi Final Round: up to five (5) string quartets and five (5) piano trios.

Up to six (6) ensembles will compete in the Final Round: up to three (3) string quartets and three (3) piano trios.

All prize winners will be announced at the conclusion of the Final Round on Sunday 9 July 2023.

All ensembles invited to compete in Round One and Round Two may be required to participate in the MICMC/Monash University secondary schools education program, engaging with secondary school music students from across Australia for a maximum of 3 hours of educational workshops, masterclasses and/or open rehearsals between 29-30 June 2023. No fee will be paid to ensembles for their participation in this program. More information will be provided if your ensemble is chosen to participate in the Competition.

All Semi Finalist ensembles that do not progress to the Final Round will be required to perform in ‘Music in the City,’ a free concert series in Melbourne to be held on Saturday 8 July 2023. No fee will be paid to ensembles performing in this concert series.

Entering the Competition

The Competition is open to piano trios and string quartets.

Applications to enter the Competition may be made by persons of any nationality. The age of any individual ensemble member must not exceed 36 years. Age is calculated as at Sunday 9 July 2023.

All Applications are to be submitted via Musica Viva Australia’s official Application partner Acceptd.

Online applications, together with all required supporting documents, audio-visual material and the application fee, must be submitted between 12:00am local time 8 June 2022 and 11:59pm local time 30 September 2022. 

An application fee of two hundred and eighty US dollars (US$280) is payable upon submission of the Application. The application fee is non-refundable.

A person who was a member of a first prize winning ensemble in any previous Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition is not eligible to compete in the same stream of the Competition.

A person may enter the Competition only as a member of one (1) ensemble.

Application Submission and Supporting Documents

All Applications are to be submitted via Musica Viva Australia’s official Application partner Acceptd.

Applicants must submit with the following supporting documents with their Application:

1. A certified copy of passport or birth certificate (or similar document), confirming the date and place of birth for each ensemble member.
2. A résumé of the ensemble’s history including repertoire list and performance history for the period covering January 2019 to June 2022. Please include performances that were confirmed but cancelled during 2020/21 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
3. A brief résumé of each member’s training and experience.
4. Two (2) professional and signed letters of recommendation in English by musical referees familiar with the ensemble’s playing and achievements. References must be addressed specifically to the Competition.
5. Two (2) recent ensemble colour photographs of professional quality in high-resolution format (minimum 300 DPI) for publication and publicity purposes – one (1) in landscape orientation, and one (1) in portrait orientation.
6. One (1) 250-word biography of the ensemble in English suitable for Competition publicity. Ensembles whose first language is not English must provide professional standard translations of biographic material in English.
7. Three videos* – one per work – recorded after 1 January 2022, containing:

String Quartets:

1. Two contrasting movements of a Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven Op.18 quartet
2. First movement of a 19th-century Romantic quartet, or Ravel, Sibelius, Elgar or similar Romantic 20th-century work.
3. Complete 20th-century quartet by Bartok, Janacek, Berg, Schoenberg, Britten, Ligeti, Shostakovich, or 20th-century work of similar stature. Cannot be Romantic 20th-century repertoire from Item ii.

Piano Trios:

1. Two contrasting movements of a Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven Op.1 trio.
2. First movement of 19th-century Romantic work, or Ravel or similar Romantic 20th-century work.
3. Complete 20th-century piano trio. Cannot be Romantic 20th Century from Item ii.

*Each video must be of professional quality, shot by a single stationary camera in real time, and must not be edited or altered in any way. Musica Viva reserves the right to disqualify studio enhanced or modified recordings, or recordings which are not of professional quality. Physical DVDs or CDs, or digital audio recordings will not be accepted. All videos must be uploaded to the Acceptd online application platform.

8. An electronic copy of the full score of each work performed, for use by Jurors.

In submitting an Application, each Applicant certifies that the information contained in the Application, the required documents and audio-visual recordings submitted are all true and correct and are not misleading or deceptive, and that no material information has been omitted or deleted. Musica Viva Australia will acknowledge receipt of each completed Application submitted with the required documents, audio-visual recordings and payment of the application fee. Musica Viva Australia may use any information submitted, including names and photographs, for promotional and other purposes of the Competition, without payment of any fee.

An Application that is not correctly and fully submitted online through Acceptd will not be considered for the Competition.

Repertoire for Live Rounds

Each ensemble performing in the live rounds will be required to prepare works as indicated in the Repertoire requirements as follows:

 

Round One – Maximum stage time of 60 minutes

In addition to the following specified repertoire, all competitors may perform a work of their own choice as long as this does not exceed the total maximum stage time of 60 minutes. The Own Choice work may be performed in either Round One or Round Two.

String Quartets

1. Complete quartet by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven Op.18
2. Complete 20th century quartet by Bartok, Janacek, Berg, Schoenberg, Britten, Ligeti, Shostakovich, or 20th century work of similar stature. Cannot be Romantic 20th century repertoire such as Ravel, Sibelius, Elgar or similar.

Piano Trios

1. Complete trio by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven Op.1
2. Complete 20th century trio. Cannot be Romantic 20th century repertoire such as Ravel or similar.

 

Round Two – Maximum stage time of 60 minutes

In addition to the following specified repertoire, all competitors may perform a work of their own choice as long as this does not exceed the total maximum stage time of 60 minutes. The Own Choice work may be performed in either Round One or Round Two.

String Quartets

1. MICMC Commissioned string quartet (approx. 10 to 15 minutes)
2. Complete 19th-century Romantic quartet (cannot be Beethoven or Schubert) or similar Romantic 20th-century work eg Ravel, Sibelius, Elgar or similar.

Piano Trios

1. MICMC Commissioned piano trio (approx. 10 to 15 minutes)
2. Complete 19th-century Romantic trio (cannot be Beethoven or Schubert), or Ravel or similar Romantic 20th-century work.

Following Round Two, the jury will select five (5) string quartets and five (5) piano trios to proceed to the Semi-Finals Day.

 

Semi-Finals – Maximum stage time of 45 minutes

String Quartets

Complete quartet by Beethoven (not Op.18) or Schubert

Piano Trios

Complete trio by Beethoven (not Op.1) or Schubert

 

Following the Semi-Finals Day, the jury will select three (3) string quartets and three (3) piano trios to proceed to the Finals Day.

 

Finals – No time limit

String Quartets

One complete work of the quartet’s own choice. Cannot be repertoire performed in any previous Round.

Piano Trios

One complete work of the trio’s own choice. Cannot be repertoire performed in any previous Round.

 

Applicants must ensure that the timings for each stage of the Competition are not exceeded. The Jury may, in its absolute discretion, stop ensembles that run overtime.

The works from the Repertoire selected by an Applicant and listed in the Application are a final choice. No other work can be substituted without the prior written approval of Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions.

Repeats in a work are permitted, provided that the total length of the performance does not exceed the time limit for that Round.

The use of photocopied scores and parts is not permitted. If the group’s chosen music is in copyright, the original full score and performance parts must be used for the performance. Groups must have purchased original sheet music and must submit an electronic copy of the full score with their entry, for use by Jurors. This may be a scanned hard-copy, or a score that has been purchased for download.

If the group’s chosen music is out of copyright it is permissible to perform from, and to scan and electronically submit, a photocopied score or a pre-scanned score downloaded from a free-use website. In this instance the group may be asked to provide written verification that the work is in the public domain. 

While Musica Viva Australia has permission to handle the Competitors’ photocopies during the Competition for adjudication purposes only, the organisation does not condone the unlawful copying of Copyright material.

We respect copyright and breach of copyright may lead to disqualification. Musica Viva Australia covers any performance licensing during the Live Rounds. 

Groups may perform using a digital score. All devices and accessories must be provided and operated by the group. Any additional venue or technical costs will be paid for by the group at all levels of the Competition. Such devices are the sole responsibility of the ensemble with regard to functionality, accessories (correct adapter plugs, foot pedals, etc) and security, and Musica Viva Australia is not able to provide technical support to any ensemble that chooses to use such equipment, nor accepts any liability for lost, stolen or damaged equipment.

Practice and Rehearsals

Rehearsal facilities, including the provision of music stands, will be available in Melbourne to all ensembles accepted to the live rounds of the Competition. Musica Viva Australia does not warrant, however, that such facilities will be adequate or meet the requirements of ensembles.

All pianos used in Round One, Round Two, the Semi-Final Round and the Final Round of the Competition will be tuned to A441hz.

Preliminary Screening Round

Applications will be reviewed by a panel selected by Musica Viva Australia. Successful Applicants will be invited to progress to the live Round One and Round Two in Melbourne.

Applicants will be informed by email no later than Friday 4 November 2022 whether or not they have been selected to proceed to Round One and Round Two of the Competition or whether they have been selected as a Reserve Ensemble.

Acceptance as Competitors

Applicants who have been advised that they have been selected as Competitors to proceed to Round One and Round Two of the Competition must complete and return the official acceptance form to Musica Viva Australia by email no later than Friday 18 November 2022.

Travel and Accommodation

Each Competitor and each ensemble’s cello will be provided with one (1) round trip excursion or economy class air ticket to Melbourne, departing from their nearest international airport. Competitors must comply with Musica Viva Australia’s instructions regarding ticket issue. Competitors are responsible for all travel, accommodation and other expenses incurred by them to reach the nominated international airport in time for their departure.

Musica Viva Australia will organise and/or provide ground transport to and from Melbourne International Airport, and around Melbourne as necessary for Competitors to participate in the Competition.

Musica Viva Australia will provide all Competitors with shared-room accommodation and breakfast at a university residential college or similar throughout the Competition. Competitors are responsible for all other expenses incurred by them.

Ensembles will be required to arrive in Melbourne no later than the morning of Friday 30 June 2023; those participating in the MICMC secondary schools education program will be required to arrive in Melbourne no later than the morning of Wednesday 28 June 2023. Accommodation will be provided from Friday 30 June, or earlier if deemed necessary due to schools program involvement or flight arrival times. Competitors who wish to arrive earlier, or extend their stay, must advise Musica Viva Australia in advance. Such extended stays are subject to availability of accommodation, and Competitors are responsible for all additional accommodation and breakfast charges. 

A visa is required for every visitor to Australia who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen. Obtaining a tourist visa is the responsibility of each Competitor, and should be arranged well ahead of departure date. Musica Viva Australia does not warrant that a tourist visa will be issued to any Competitor, or that a Competitor will be allowed to enter Australia.

Insurance

Obtaining appropriate and adequate travel and/or musical instrument and equipment insurance is the responsibility of each Competitor, and Musica Viva Australia accepts no liability of any kind whatsoever for any personal injury or loss or damage sustained by any Competitor, including without limitation loss or damage to any Competitor’s instrument or belongings in transit or during the Competitor’s stay in Melbourne.

Round One of the Competition Onwards

The Competition will have a maximum of eight (8) ensembles in each stream of piano trios and string quartets. Musica Viva Australia may, at its absolute discretion, vary the number of ensembles in one stream or both streams, at any stage of the Competition.

The order of performance by the Competitors in Rounds 1 and 2 and the Semi-Finals will be determined by ballot. Musica Viva Australia will determine performance order of the Final Round to ensure a balanced program. Musica Viva Australia may, at its absolute discretion, vary the order of performance in the event of illness or unavoidable delay.

Musica Viva Australia must be notified immediately of any change in an ensemble’s members occurring after the Preliminary Screening Round. Musica Viva Australia will then consider the eligibility of that ensemble to continue participating in the Competition.

Performance Rights

While Competitors are in Australia, they agree to be contracted exclusively to Musica Viva Australia. Thus Competitors may not perform publicly without Musica Viva Australia’s express consent, which Musica Viva Australia may, at its absolute discretion, withhold.

Musica Viva Australia has the right, without payment of any fee, to televise, film, videotape, record, broadcast, photograph, web stream (live and on-demand) or download (video and audio) any or all stages of the Competition for any purpose. All rights, including copyright, in such media shall vest in and be owned by Musica Viva Australia, worldwide and in perpetuity.

Musica Viva Australia has the right to produce and distribute, without limit or payment of any fee, recordings of all stages of the Competition, either in whole or in part, including any prize winner’s concerts.

Competitors are expected, where possible, to be available for media, sponsor and promotional performances reasonably required for Competition purposes. All approaches to and from the media, sponsors and others must be made through and with the approval of Musica Viva Australia.

Performance Contract

Musica Viva Australia will not negotiate with, nor pay any fee to, any agent or other management in respect of, or on behalf of, Competitors.

Should any prize winner perform in Australia within four years immediately following the Competition, Musica Viva Australia reserves the right to negotiate directly with that ensemble for performance or promotional activity (or both) for the benefit of the Competition, without payment of any fee to any promoter or agent.

Juries and Musica Viva Australia

The jury for the Preliminary Screening Round will consist of two (2) judges selected by Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions.

The jury for Round One, Round Two, the Semi-Final Round and the Final Round of the Competition will consist of a minimum of seven (7) judges plus a non-voting Chairperson.

No communication, or attempt to communicate, shall be made by or on behalf of an ensemble with any member of a jury or Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions prior to the completion of that ensemble’s participation in the Competition. Any such communication or attempt to communicate may, at the absolute discretion of Musica Viva Australia, cause that ensemble to be disqualified from participating in the Competition. Musica Viva Australia shall have no liability whatsoever in respect of an ensemble’s disqualification.

Decisions of a jury or Musica Viva Australia’s Artistic Director of Competitions are final and may not be challenged or appealed in any forum or on any ground whatsoever.

Prizes

The following prizes shall be awarded at the Competition:

Grand Prize

Awarded to either the winning ensemble from the string quartet division or the winning ensemble from the piano trio division:

• $30,000 cash
• Performance engagement/s in Australia arranged by Musica Viva
• Career-enhancing professional development support

 

String Quartet Division

First Prize	$30,000 cash
Second Prize	$20,000 cash
Third Prize	$10,000 cash
Best performance of the Commissioned work	$4,000 cash
Audience Prize	$8,000 cash

 

Piano Trio Division

First Prize	$22,500 cash
Second Prize	$15,000 cash
Third Prize	$7,500 cash
Best performance of the Commissioned work	$3,000 cash
Audience Prize	$6,000 cash

 

All prize money will be paid in Australian dollars. Prize money may be subject to deduction of tax under Australian law, and accordingly each Competitor should obtain his or her own tax advice. All fees and/or prize monies are payable to prize winners without deduction for artist management.

The jury may in its absolute discretion, and only in exceptional circumstances, withhold making any award in any category.

All prizes will be announced on Sunday 9 July 2023, at the conclusion of the Final Round of the Competition.

Prize Engagements

As a condition of entry to the Competition all prize winners are required to undertake all of their corresponding prize engagements. Any failure to do so may, at the absolute discretion of Musica Viva Australia, result in forfeiture of the prize winner’s claim to prizes, awards and prize engagements. Accordingly, it is a further condition of entry to the Competition that all Competitors must be prepared to extend their stay in Australia to depart not earlier than the evening of Wednesday 12 July 2023 to enable them to undertake corresponding prize engagements should they be prize winners.

Should Competitors be engaged by Musica Viva Australia in any MICMC prize-related tour or performance beyond 2023, this/these will be subject to a separate contract to be negotiated nearer to the time of the tour/performance.

---

View all the information in a PDF file here.