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Terms & Conditions

American International Music Competition 2024

Official Competition Rules

Last update: February 5, 2024

1. Introduction

These are the Official Competition Rules governing the American International Music Competition (The Competition) presented by The World Music Forum LLC. The Competition is a new and innovative online competition in which musical ensembles and soloists are judged based on online video submissions. Contest entrants are eligible to receive cash prizes, written comments from experienced judges, and opportunities to be interviewed in online music magazines. In addition to the “Competition” you can post participants’ video presentations online and via social media to share with the widest possible audience. The ultimate goal of the Competition is to give entrants the opportunity to be heard and to raise the profile and perception of music education and classical music in general.

By submitting your application to the Competition, you agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions set forth in these Official Contest Rules, as well as any terms offered by the Accepted third-party submission platform.

2.Eligibility

The 2024 competition will be open to musicians, music students and music lovers of any nationality and age from all over the world. The contest is divided into musical categories such as piano, strings, wind, vocal and chamber music. Each instrument will be judged in groups based on the age of the contestants.

Instrumental / Vocal Categories:

  • Keyboards: Piano, Accordion, Pipe Organ
  • Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp
  • Woodwinds: Flute (including Piccolo), Oboe (including English Horn), Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone, Chromatic Harmonica
  • Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
  • Percussions: Marimba, Xylophone, Timpani, Snare Drum, Setup, Drum Set, Hands-percussion
  • Piano Four Hands
  • Classical Voice: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass
  • Chamber Music (including instrument ensemble and singing groups): Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, String ensemble, Wind ensemble, Brass ensemble, Chamber Choir Group

These are the different age categories, depending on the applicants’ date of birth:

Age Groups

  • Group A. Born in 2017 or later
  • Group B. Born in 2015 or 2016
  • Group C. Born in 2013 or 2014
  • Group D. Born in 2011 or 2012
  • Group E. Born in 2009 or 2010
  • Group F. Born in 2007 or 2008
  • Group G. Born in 2005 or 2006
  • Group H. Born in 2003 or 2004
  • Group I. Born in 2001 or 2002
  • Group J. Born in 1999 or 2000
  • Group K. Born in 1997 or 1998
  • Group L. Born in 1996 or before

*For Chamber Music, the age category is determined by the average age of the members of the group.

The Competition may request documents to verify the applicant’s age if deemed necessary.

THE COMPETITION AND ANY PERTINENT TERMS OF THESE OFFICIAL COMPETITION RULES ARE VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

3. Repertoire

Applicants may submit one videotape no longer than the time limit per category listed below. Time can be assigned between one or more compositions, or one or more movements within a composition.

Program Duration:

  • Group A. Born in 2017 or later: up to 5 min
  • Group B. Born in 2015 or 2016: up to 5 min
  • Group C. Born in 2013 or 2014: up to 7 min
  • Group D. Born in 2011 or 2012: up to 7 min
  • Group E. Born in 2009 or 2010: up to 10 min
  • Group F. Born in 2007 or 2008: up to 10 min
  • Group G. Born in 2005 or 2006: up to 15 min
  • Group H. Born in 2003 or 2004: up to 15 min
  • Group I. Born in 2001 or 2002: up to 20 min
  • Group J. Born in 1999 or 2000: up to 20 min
  • Group K. Born in 1997 or 1998: up to 20 min
  • Group L. Born in 1996 or before: up to 20 min

Repertoire selection is open to the applicant and all judging is done through video submission. The following rules/restrictions apply.

Applicant may submit any published piece, combination of pieces, or combination of piece moves as long as the total combined time is within the maximum time limits listed above. The applicant may make cuts in pieces to fit the deadlines if they so wish.

Applicant must perform with accompaniment unless the piece is written for solo/unaccompanied trumpet. The contest will accept videotapes with piano, orchestra, chamber ensemble, wind band, percussion, guitar, electronics, or any other accompaniment required by the composer in the published work.

Exception for the COVID-19 situation. The contest will accept recordings with pre-recorded accompaniment for those applicants who are unable to record with a live accompanist due to social distancing.

The video must have been recorded a maximum of 12 months before the deadline date.

Each piece must be performed in one take with no edits. If an applicant chooses to submit multiple pieces, they must be submitted together as one video file not to exceed the maximum time limits for the applicant’s age category. The competition reserves the right to immediately disqualify any applicant whose tapes show the edit within one piece.

The applicant does not have to submit a score at the time of application. However, if requested by the committee, the applicant must submit an original score or a copy of the score with the written permission of the publisher for use in the competition. Failure to respond to this request will result in disqualification of the applicant.

There is no live round: all awards will be made online via video presentation. It is suggested that the applicant submit the highest quality video possible to give a fair representation of their performance. Please note that the quality of the submitted video represents a small percentage of the final grade.

4. Answer Term

You must submit a high-quality video of your performance that meets the requirements of these Official Competition Rules no later than the March 25, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. using the means described in these Official Competition Rules. Submissions will be judged after the submission deadline, and finalists will be selected and notified from March 31, 2024 onwards.

5. How to participate

All applications will be submitted in full through the official contest website; https://americanintermusic.com/ using the exclusive application form located with the link: https://americanintermusic.com/free-entry

There, applicants must fill in the required fields and attach the video link of their performance. Videos should be available for watching online – download links won’t be accepted. By submitting an Application, you agree to be bound by these Official Competition Rules and the Accepted terms and conditions.

By submitting your Submission, you assign all rights to any video submitted to the competition, including granting the competition and The World Music Forum LLC permission to publicly display the Submission on its website, on YouTube, or on any other media platform, as described in Paragraph 8 below.

Those applicants under the age of 18 must have their parents electronically sign an addendum via email granting all rights to any video submitted to the competition and The World Music Forum LLC, including granting the competition and The World Music Forum LLC to publicly display the Submission on their website. website, on YouTube, or on any other media platform, as discussed in Paragraph 8 below. Any application without this electronically signed addendum will be considered incomplete.

Submissions may be disqualified at any time for violation of these Official Competition Rules. The competition will make the final decision on which Submissions are eligible to enter this Contest and will be considered for a prize or award.

ANY ATTEMPT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION, EXCEPT THROUGH ACCEPTANCE AS PROVIDED ABOVE, IS VOID.

6. COMPETITION FORMAT

The competition is divided into a Preliminary Round and a Final Round. Both rounds are online.

(The same entry video is used for the Final Round).

Preliminary Round (FREE ENTRY)

Participants are required to fill in the Preliminary Round application form on the “Free Entry” page, submitting a video recording link of their music performance.

Please be sure to fully comply with the Video Requirements for Preliminary Round. If there is a situation that does not comply with the following rules, participants will automatically lose their qualifications for the Final Round.

Contestants approved to advance to the Final Round will participate in the competition with the same piece submitted for the initial screening.

Only those who are selected in the Preliminary Round (initial screening) are entitled to advance to the Final Round (the same entry video is used for both rounds).

Final Round (INVITATION & APPLICATION)

If you are approved by the judges to pass the Preliminary Round, you will receive an email invitation with instructions on how to apply to the Final Round. Email invitations will be sent on the Finalist Announcement Date of the Competition Schedule section.

Participants who are allowed to advance will use the same work submitted during the preliminary round as the content for the final round.

Finals applicants are required to use the link in the email to complete the final round application before the deadline.

Once the application is completed and the “Submit” button is pressed, applicants will be redirected to the security payment link through the official website of the competition.

Please confirm correct name and spelling for the certificate and winners posted on our website and social media in English characters.

Final Round application fee details:

1.Soloist finals application fee: USD $85/person
2.Chamber Group finals application fee (2-4 persons): USD $55/person X the number of persons
3.Chamber Group finals application fee (over 5-person ensemble): USD $250/group

*The final application fee is a non-refundable one-off voluntary payment INCLUDING AN ENTRANT’S DISQUALIFICATION ‒ WILL RESULT IN A REFUND.

7. Grant of license

By submitting your Submission, you assign all rights to any video submitted to the competition and The WMF, including granting permission to the competition and The WMFto publicly display the Submission on its website, on YouTube, or on any other media platform.

Those applicants under the age of 18 will have their parents sign electronically through Accepted granting the competition and The WMF these rights.

Specifically, your Submission grants the competition and The WMF an irrevocable, paid, non-exclusive, perpetual, worldwide license to use, publicly perform, display, reproduce, transmit, sublicense and distribute in all media formats now known or hereafter created. the Submission in connection with (1) the Contest and the promotion of the Contest; (2) the promotion of future iterations of the Contest; and (3) the promotion of the competition and The The WMF generally (collectively, the “License”). The License will start on the date you make your Application.

By submitting your Entry, you represent and warrant that you are entitled to grant the licenses referenced in these Official Competition Rules.

8. Compensation

You will indemnify, defend and hold harmless the competition and The WMF from any loss (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) associated with any third party action (a) arising from your breach of any representation, warranty or provision addressed in this Official Competition. Rules; or (b) assert or arise from any claim that your Submission infringes or violates any law, regulation or third party right, including any intellectual property right.

9. Jury

The maximum number of jury members per category will be 7 and the minimum number to constitute the jury will be 2. Due to the fact that it is an online contest and given that the evaluation materials are in video format, each jury must include at least least one image or audiovisual production specialist.

To ensure fairer competition, the identity of the judges will be concealed for privacy and impartiality reasons.

The work of the Jury is governed by special internal and confidential Regulations.

A minimum of two qualified judges will evaluate the audition materials.

All Jury decisions/comments are anonymous, final and irrevocable.

10. Prizes

   10.1 Cash Prize

Each “Category Winner” will receive a “Category Prize”. Only those who reach a total score of 50 points will get a cash award of of USD $1,500.00 /person for solo contestants, $3,000.00 /group (2-4 persons), and $4,000.00 /group (over 5-person ensemble) for ensemble contestants.

The contest reserves the right to split any cash prize in the event of a tie in any Category. All decisions of the competition and its judges are binding and final.

No transfer, assignment or substitution of prizes by any Category Winner is permitted. TAXES ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE WINNERS.

10.2 Other prizes

All contestants will be awarded with diplomas. The diploma will be sent via email in e-Certificate format. All certificates will be sent no later than the 30th of August 2024.

Teachers and accompanists on request receive a certificate for a portfolio in e-Certificate format. All certificates will be sent no later than the 30th of August 2024.

The Absolute Winners will get his/hers picture and biography published on the website under the title “The Winner of American International Music Competition 2024 Grand Prize”. The Absolute Winners also receive a special diploma.

11. Additional Releases

By submitting a Contest Application, you represent and warrant to the competition and The WMF that you are recording this work for the educational purpose of the competition and assign all rights to your performance to the competition. Applicants under the age of 18 must have their parent or guardian sign an addendum agreeing to all of these Official Contest Rules. This will be done electronically through a form.

In addition, the competition may require each Winner or their parent/legal guardian to complete, execute, and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Release of Liability, and, where legal, a Publicity Release, as well as certain other documentation reasonably requested by the competition. competence. Failure to respond to the competition in a timely manner or failure to return documents in a timely manner may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner in the applicable Category(s).

Each Category Winner agrees to grant to the competition and to those acting under its direction or control the right to print, publish, transmit and use, throughout the world in all media formats now known or hereafter created, in any time or times, the Winner’s name, likeness, likeness, voice, likeness and biographical information as news or information and for publicity, business and promotional purposes without further consideration and without notice, review or approval.

By accepting any prize or award, each Category Winner agrees that any Affidavit and/or Release, and any grant of permission to use his or her name, likeness, voice, likeness, and biographical information, as set forth above, may be obtained through Stroke electronically, for example, but not limited to, by email or by fax, and such Affidavit and/or Secured Waivers and Permits shall have the same force and effect as if either had been secured in a written document that was executed by such a person.

Furthermore, by accepting any prize or award, each Winner releases and agrees to hold harmless the competition from any and all liability for any injury, loss or damage of any kind to persons and/or property, arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly . indirectly, from the acceptance, possession, use or misuse of a prize, participation in any activity related to the Contest or participation in this Contest.

12. Limitation on Liability

The competition assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay, theft, or destruction or unauthorised access to or alteration of the Submissions and other materials transmitted to the competition in connection with the Contest. The competition is not responsible for any problem or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computers or Internet systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failures in any email or shipment received by Ictus due to technical problems. . problems, human error, Internet traffic congestion, or any combination thereof.

The Competition is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate data capture or failure to capture such data, whether caused by the actions of third parties or by any equipment or programming associated with or used in connection with the Contest and assumes no liability. for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, failure in the communications line, theft or destruction or unauthorised access to the website of the competition. The Competition is not responsible for injury or damage to any person’s computer arising out of or related to participation in this Contest or viewing or downloading materials from the Competition website.

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COMPETITION OR THE CMC OR ITS AFFILIATES OR RELATED COMPANIES, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENTS, BE LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS CONTEST, ACCESS TO AND USE OF THE COMPETITION OR THECMC WEBSITE, THE ACCEPTED WEBSITE, OR YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE CONTEST. THE COMPETITION OR THECMC MAKES NO WARRANTIES REGARDING THE CONTENT OR FUNCTIONALITY OF THE ACCEPTED WEBSITE, AND YOU AGREE TO RELEASE THE COMPETITION OR THECMC FROM ANY LIABILITY ARISING THERE FROM. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, EVERYTHING ON THE COMPETITION OR THECMC WEBSITE, INCLUDING THE COMPETITION, IS PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT. SOME JURISDICTIONS MAY NOT ALLOW THE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES SO SOME OF THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LAWS FOR ANY RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS REGARDING THESE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS.

13. Dispute Resolution

The decisions of The Competition and The WMF on all matters related to this Contest are final and binding in all respects. These Official Competition Rules, the transactions occurring under them, and the relationships created by them, shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the Belize, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. You agree that any and all unresolvable disputes between you and The Competition or The WMF, claims and causes of action arising out of or related to this Contest, or any prize awarded, or the determination of the Winners will be shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. You and The Competition and The WMF agree to submit to the personal jurisdiction of the courts located in Belize, for the purpose of litigating all claims or disputes. All parties waive any objection to the establishment of venue for any suit, action or proceeding in said courts. The substantially prevailing party in any action shall be entitled to recover its lawyers’ fees and costs.

14. Privacy / Use of personal Information

In addition to the information below, please see a separate Privacy Policy page on this contest website.

By entering the Contest, an applicant:

You grant the competition and The WMF the right to use your name and email address (“Personal Information”) for the purpose of administering the Contest, including, but not limited to, contacting and announcing the Winner.

You grant the competition and The WMF the right to use your Personal Information for advertising and promotional purposes related to the Contest, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised, without additional compensation.

15. Entire Agreement

These Official Competition Rules set forth the entire agreement between you and The Competition or The WMF with respect to the Competition and may not be modified except in writing signed by an authorised representative of The Competition or The WMF.

BY MAKING A SUBMISSION TO THIS CONTEST, YOU (1) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOREGOING RULES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS, AND (2) AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM.