Frequently Asked Questions

Payment Information: Additional Payment Options Available

For Applicants Residing Outside the United States:

If you encounter an error when trying to pay via PayPal on the application form:

Please select "International Wire Transfer" as your payment method on the form and submit the form by the deadline. The competition office will contact you by email with instructions for making an International Wire Transfer and the payment deadline.

(Note: It has been confirmed that credit cards issued out of the United States can be used for PayPal payments. However, in some cases, errors may occur due to the payment rejections by your local credit company's restriction. If this happens, we kindly request that you make the payment via international wire transfer instead.)

For Applicants Residing in the United States:

You may pay via Zelle or Venmo. Please select your preferred payment method on the form. If you choose Zelle or Venmo, please make the payment directly using the information provided in the form.

Important Notice: Please note that the completion of payment is required for your application to be considered complete. If you submit the application form by the deadline, it will be considered on-time. However, if payment is not completed afterward, your video audition may not be processed, or the results may be canceled. Once you receive the payment instructions by email, we kindly ask that you complete the payment promptly. (It is not an issue if there is a few days delay due to international transfers.)

If you have any questions, please contact us via email at admin@specialvenue.org.

YouTube Upload Settings for Videos

1. Please upload your video to YouTube and set it to "private" in the video settings .
2. In the title of your YouTube video, please enter your name, age, song title, and composer name in English. (Example titles: Andy Smith, Age 8, Fur Elise, Beethoven)
3. Please enter the YouTube URL in the designated field on the video review application form.
4. We will not review videos in formats other than YouTube.

About the Video

1. You can submit a repertoire that is significantly shorter than the time limit. It will not affect the judging.
2.  You are free to omit repetitions or cut to adjust time. 
3. Videos must be shot within one year of their date of submission.
4. Videos from other competitions and recitals can also be used.
5. There are no particular rules regarding the method or environment for shooting the video.
6. It is not necessary to perform from memory, although it is recommended. For the Winners Recitals, however, performing from memory will be required as a general rule.

Purpose of Audition

Our aim is to provide as many opportunities as possible for people of a wide range of ages, nationalities, professions, and musical experiences to perform in international concert halls and leading universities. As an international competition, we value the diversity of our winners.

Screening Method

1. The judges, judging criteria, and judging methods will not be disclosed to prevent the participants from contacting directly to the judges.
2. No evaluation sheet or comments will be provided.
3. The results of the selection are final and will not be subject to any changes.
4. We will not answer any questions regarding the judges, the content of the judging, the results, etc.
5. If you post the results of the competition on the web or on social media, please be mindful of personal information and privacy. Should we determine that there is a risk of libel or defamation related to the competitions, the recitals, or any third parties, we may request that you cease publishing the results.

Announcement of  Results

We will notify you of the results via email. If you do not receive an email, please contact us through the "Contact" page on our website or email us at admin@specialvenue.org. All winners will be invited to perform at the Winners' Recital at their own expense.

Certificates (in digital format) and other documents will be sent via email. Please be aware that international mobile phone email addresses may automatically reject emails with attachments. We recommend using a Gmail address when registering for video audition. Additionally, please save admin@specialvenue.org as a contact to prevent emails from being rejected.

Instructor Registration for Excellent Teacher Awards

1. We strongly encourage you to include the email addresses of instructors in the "Video Audition Application Form" to allow them to communicate with us in a timely manner.
2. You can register up to 5 instructors. Please list their names and email addresses in the form. Participants may also register themselves as instructors.

Purchase the Winners Package – For Non-Performers 

If you are unable to attend and perform at the Winners Recital, you can still purchase the Winners Package for $300. This package includes:

• Winner’s Certificate (both digital and printed formats)
• A Trophy
• Online Recognition on the Results Page
• Addition of points to the World Ranking
• Shipping Costs

Performance Time

1. Same as the Video Audition.
2. Even if you are within the time limit, you are allowed to perform only ONE piece.
3. If you exceed the performance time limit, the staff will stop the performance without exceptions, which will lead to a deduction of points from the World Ranking.
4. Since the aim of this competition is to provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to perform in first-class venues, we have designated a performance time. Please understand this before enrolling.

Repertoire Changes

You may change your repertoire for the Winners' Recital, as long as it fits within the designated performance time for each age category. Changes can be made for each venue, but a $55 handling fee will be applied for each venue.

*Notes on changing repertoires:

1. There will be no re-submission or re-examination of videos. 
2. Please enter your performance time as accurately as possible, as it will impact the number of performers at the Winners' Recital and the overall operation of the recital.
3. The deadline to request repertoire changes is approximately two months before the Winners' Recital. Detailed information will be notified to the winners.
4. If the judges find that the performance time significantly deviates from the stated duration of the piece, they may contact you for clarification.
5. If you perform a different repertoire without a Change of Repertoires Request, the staff will stop the performance without exceptions, which will lead to deduction of points from the World Ranking.
6. If you exceed the performance time limit, the staff will stop the performance without exceptions, which will lead to deduction of points from the World Ranking.

Extending Performance Time 

Requests to extend the performance time are not permitted.

No Judging/Evaluation at the Winners Recital
We do not judge or evaluate the performances at the Winners Recitals.

Rehearsal

1. Not all venues offer rehearsal time.
2. Rehearsals usually take place a few hours before the recital. More details will be notified to the enrolled winners by one month before the recital.
3. The rehearsal will be spent explaining the flow of the recital and adjusting the settings, so there will be no time to play through the entire performance. Please aim to play for a maximum of one minute. Please follow the instructions of each staff member.
4. Due to venue regulations, parents and instructors are not allowed to attend rehearsals.
5. Photography, as well as audio and video recording, is strictly prohibited during rehearsals according to venue regulations. Failure to comply with these rules will result in disqualification and you will not be allowed to perform in the recital.
6. Those who interfere with the operation of the event may not be allowed to perform at the recital. In such cases, we will not be able to provide any refunds.

Schedule of the Day (Examples: Subject to change depending on venue availability)

Carnegie Hall

3:30 pm-5:30 pm: Rehearsal (30 minutes per group at Carnegie Hall)*Rehearsal is optional.

7:30 pm: Performers enter the Stage Door/ Doors open for audience.

8 pm: Recital starts, followed by the award ceremony at the end.

11:00 pm: Recital ends.

Harvard University & San Francisco Opera House

*No rehearsal.

9:30 am: Performers A enter the Venue/ Doors open for audience.

10:00 pm: Recital A starts, followed by the award ceremony at the end.

1:00 pm: Recital A ends.

1:30 pm: Performers B enter the Venue/ Doors open for audience.

2:00 pm: Recital B starts, followed by the award ceremony at the end.

5:00 pm: Recital B ends.

Vienna Music Society (Weiner Musikverein)

9 am - 12 pm: Rehearsal (30 minutes per group at Glass Hall) *Rehearsal is optional.

2:00 pm: Performers enter the Stage Door/ Doors open for audience.

2:30 pm: Recital starts, followed by the award ceremony at the end.

5:30 pm: Recital ends.

1. For both rehearsals and recitals, please come to the designated location by the designated reception time. As a general rule, performance times cannot be specified or changed.
2. There is no place to change clothes. Please come to the recital in your actual costume.
3. If a winner cannot be confirmed by 5 minutes before the start of the recital, he/she will be considered late or will forfeit the recital. If a winner is deemed to be "late", the performance order may be changed at the discretion of the organizers.
4. Playing repertoires different from those registered is not permitted.
5. The order of the program may be changed at the discretion of the organizers depending on the progress of the day.
6. Trophies and certificates will be presented to participants at the Awards Ceremony, which will be held immediately after the Winners' Recital. If you do not attend the Awards Ceremony, you will not receive a trophy or certificate, as we are unable to ship them after the recital.
7. Depending on the progress of the recital, the award ceremony may be changed or canceled.

Piano Accompaniments

Accompaniments will be on the piano only.  Should an accompanist be required, we can suggest one. An additional fee for accompaniment will apply (estimated to be $150, depending on the pianist, and subject to change). 

Memorization

1. In the solo category, performances are required to be from memory.
2. In the Duo category, participants must memorize their music, though the accompanist may use sheet music.
3. In the Chamber Music category, sheet music is permitted.
4. If sheet music is used during the recital, performers are responsible for turning the pages themselves.
5. For the video audition, you are allowed to see the music sheets.

Piano Pedal Extender, Foot Stool, and Chair Adjustment

1. Piano pedal extenders or foot stools are available only to participants who bring their own. The recital organizer will not provide these items. Please note that the setup time for these items is included in your performance time. The stage staff will assist with setting them up on stage.
2.  Any time needed for adjustments before your performance, including adjusting the height of the piano bench, is also counted as part of your performance time. Please make sufficient preparations in advance to ensure that you can complete your performance within the allotted time.
3. Due to venue rules, parents and instructors are not permitted to enter the backstage or stage areas.

Tickets

1. Tickets for performers are included in the winners' recital enrollment fee, so there is no need for performers to purchase their own tickets. 
2. Due to venue regulations, each attendee must have a ticket for the recital. Preschool children, including infants, must also have a ticket.
3. Please note that all seating at each venue is unreserved. Tickets are expected to go on sale approximately two months before the recital. Ticket prices are estimated to range from $45 to $75, though this may vary due to processing fees imposed by each venue.
4. Tickets for Carnegie Hall will be available for purchase through the official Carnegie Hall website, by phone, or at the Carnegie Hall Box Office. Tickets for other venues will be sold online. Once the ticket sales date is confirmed, we will provide details via email or on our website.

Photography, Video Recording, and Audio Recording

• At Carnegie Hall, unauthorized photography, recording, and filming are strictly prohibited inside Carnegie Hall. Violations may result in being asked to leave by Carnegie Hall staff. 
• At Harvard University, family members and associates of performers are allowed to take photographs and videos. Please ensure that this does not disrupt the recital. As Harvard University venue is a historical building, the use of tripods and their installation on any of the venue's facilities are prohibited.
• At San Francisco Opera House, family members and associates of performers are allowed to take photographs and videos.
• At Vienna Music Society, family members and associates of performers are allowed to take photographs only. Please ensure that this does not disrupt the recital. Taking videos are strictly prohibited.
• Photography and filming in the lobby or other areas may be suspended at the management's discretion due to congestion. Please be aware that there is very limited time for photography at each venue.
• The digital photos and videos (if video service is provided) will be released approximately three weeks after the recital.

Transportation, Accommodation, and Practice Rooms

Winners will receive information about nearby hotels and practice rooms upon enrolling in the Winners Recitals. However, all travel, transportation, and accommodation costs associated with participating in the Winners Recitals will be the responsibility of the participants. Participants must also arrange their own transportation, accommodation, and practice room bookings.

Lost Items

Please contact the venue directly regarding any lost items. Special Venue LLC is not responsible for any damage, theft, or loss of items.

Publication

1. The results (names, ages, nationalities and photos of the winners) will be posted on the Special Venue Music Awards International Competition website. The results may also be provided to newspapers, television and other mass media.
2. Participants' names will be listed in the programs of the recitals.
3. We may send information about future competitions and other information to participants and instructors.
4. Winners may have their photographs or videos published in Special Venue LLC's public relations media and may be asked to participate in related publicity projects.

Ownership of Recording and Media Rights

All rights, including copyright and portrait rights, for recordings, distribution, and sale of performances and performers at the Winners Recitals and related competition events belong to the organizer, Special Venue LLC.

Rights of Modification

The "Special Venue Music Awards" International Competition, organized by Special Venue LLC, reserves the right to make changes to the rules, schedule, and other information related to the competition.

The FAQ is updated regularly. Please check for this page for the latest information.