March 2027 Tokyo Opera City — Competition

• Solo Category - Age 12 and under: JPY 27,500 / Age 13 and over: JPY 33,000
• Duo Category- Age 12 and under: JPY 23,500 per person / Age 13 and over: JPY 27,500 per person
• Chamber Music Category  ( 3-4 players) - Any Age: JPY 19,500 per person

* For the Duo Category, the fee is determined by the youngest member of the group (for a pair aged 12 and 14, both pay JPY 23,500).

* For the Duo and Chamber Music Categories, one representative must submit the application and payment for the whole group. We do not accept individual payments from each member.

* A 5% processing fee is added to the prices shown, per application.

* The total amount payable is shown on the application form.

◆ There is only one round of judging

There are no preliminary and final rounds. The result is decided by a single video audition. There are no regional round fees, final round fees, or additional judging fees.

◆ There are two payments

1.   Video Audition Fee (at the time of application)
2.   Winners' Recital Participation Fee (winners only, at the time of application)

  * Your application is not complete until  payment has been confirmed.

Open to all ages, nationalities, and occupations. Both amateur and professional musicians may apply.

Any acoustic instrument may be used. Piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, voice, classical guitar, harp, early instruments, traditional Japanese instruments — all instruments are welcome.

• Music stands and chairs are provided by the hall free of charge.
• Instruments must be of a size the performer can carry themselves.
• A harp is not available at the hall. For instruments that require loading and unloading, such as a harp or koto, the organizer does not arrange transportation or rental. Please make your own arrangements.

Solo Category / Duo Category (piano duo is one piano, four hands) / Chamber Music Category (3-4 players)

• You may apply to more than one category. A separate application and payment is required for each category.
• Duo Category: if you wish the name of your piano accompanist to appear in the results and in the concert program, and to be included in the award, please apply in the Duo Category. If you apply in the Solo Category, the accompanist is not included in the award and their name will not be listed.
• Your category is fixed at the time of the video audition application. An entrant who auditioned in the Solo Category cannot change to the Duo Category at the Winners' Recital stage.
• The Chamber Music division (3–4 members) is also open to vocal groups.

Applicants who have graduated from high school choose either "General" or "Professional" at the time of application. Those enrolled in or graduated from a music university, and those who teach or perform professionally, may choose Professional. This is entirely your own judgment; no documentation is required.

• For Duo and Chamber Music, the Professional Division may be chosen only if every member has graduated from high school and every member qualifies as professional. If even one member does not, the group enters as General.
• Time limits and fees are the same in both divisions.
• Age and school year are as of the date you submit your video.

One piece of your choice, from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or modern/contemporary classical repertoire.

• Arrangements of classical works are permitted.
• Shortened versions that fit the time limit are permitted.
• Your own original compositions are permitted (any genre). However, at the Winners' Recital only acoustic instruments may be used, and instruments or settings that require loading, unloading, or special staging are not permitted.
• For traditional instruments, repertoire rooted in that culture is permitted.
• In the voice category, musical theatre repertoire is permitted.

All categories (for the Duo and Chamber Music Categories, determined by the youngest member of the group)  

• Age 12 and under: up to 6 minutes 
• Age 13 through high school students: up to 8 minutes 
• High school graduates, university students, working adults: up to 10 minutes  

* Age and school year are as of the date you submit your video. 

* Applicants aged 16 and over who are not enrolled in high school are included in 

"Age 13 through high school students." 

* These time limits apply to the video audition. For the Winners' Recital, you choose a performance time from 3 to 7 minutes when you apply.

It is the judges' policy to recommend as many entrants as possible for the Winners' Recital. Multiple winners are selected from each category. While performance technique is the primary consideration, as an international competition we also take into account the differing educational environments and circumstances of each country.

1. Upload your video to YouTube and set the visibility to "Unlisted."
2. Title the video in English as "Name, Age, Title of Piece, Composer."  (Example: Taro Yamada, Age 8, Fur Elise, L.V. Beethoven)
3. Enter the YouTube URL in the designated field on the video audition application form.
4. Videos in any format other than YouTube will not be judged.

• You may submit a piece shorter than the time limit. This does not affect the judging.
•  You are free to omit repeats or make cuts to adjust the length.
• Videos recorded within the past year may be submitted. Footage from other competitions or recitals may be used.
• There are no requirements as to how or where the video is recorded.
•  Memorization is not required for the video audition. At the Winners' Recital, performance from memory is requested as a general rule.
• Unaccompanied solo videos may be submitted. This does not affect the judging. (Note that you cannot change to the Duo Category afterwards.)

• All entrants are notified of their result by email, whether or not they are selected (Early Entry: December 14 / Final Entry: January 20).
• If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder and then contact admin@specialvenue.org.
• Every entrant receives one digital certificate according to their result: an award certificate for prize winners (Absolute First through Third Prize), an Honorable Mention certificate, or a certificate of participation.

• 100 points : Absolute First Prize
• 90〜99 points：First Prize
• 80〜89 points：Second Prize
• 70〜79 points：Third Prize
• Honorable Mention

* All winners from Absolute First Prize through Third Prize are eligible to perform at the Winners' Recital. Honorable Mention recipients are placed on the waitlist for the Winners' Recital (see "Honorable Mention and Waitlist" below). 

* Multiple entrants are selected at each prize level according to their scores. Prize levels are announced, but exact scores are not disclosed, including to the entrant.

* The decisions of the judges are final. We do not accept inquiries or appeals regarding the results, and we do not provide individual feedback.

【25th Winners Recital】

Date:   Tuesday, March 30, 2027  (during spring break)　

Venue:  Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall: Takemitsu Memorial [Main Hall]

Performances: three performances — 11:00, 14:00, and 18:00 (tentative)

All winners of Absolute First, First, Second, and Third Prize.

◆ Honorable Mention and Waitlist

  - Honorable Mention recipients are placed on the waitlist for the Winners' Recital.

  - After the final registration deadline for winners (January 25, 2027), we will accept registrations from Honorable Mention recipients only if performance places remain.

  - By Wednesday, January 27, we will email every Honorable Mention recipient to let you know whether registration will open. The registration form is provided in this email.

  - Registration: Thursday, January 28, 2027, 9:00-16:00 (Japan Standard Time). In the United States, this is Wednesday, January 27, 4:00-11:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 7:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

 - Registration is first-come, first-served and closes once the places are filled. 

 - Please add admin@specialvenue.org to your address book so that our email does not go to your spam folder.

The fee depends on the performance time you choose when you apply for the recital. 

You may choose any performance time from 3 to 7 minutes, regardless of your age.  

◆ Solo 

Up to 3 minutes: JPY 88,000 

Up to 4 minutes: JPY 98,000 

Up to 5 minutes: JPY 108,000 

Up to 6 minutes: JPY 118,000 

Up to 7 minutes: JPY 128,000  

◆ Duo (per person) 

Up to 3 minutes: JPY 64,000 

Up to 4 minutes: JPY 70,000 

Up to 5 minutes: JPY 78,000 

Up to 6 minutes: JPY 88,000 

Up to 7 minutes: JPY 98,000  

◆ Chamber Music, 3-4 players (per person) 

Up to 3 minutes: JPY 49,000 

Up to 4 minutes: JPY 54,000 

Up to 5 minutes: JPY 60,000 

Up to 6 minutes: JPY 68,000 

Up to 7 minutes: JPY 78,000  

* A 5% processing fee is added to the prices shown, per application. 

* The total amount payable is shown on the application form. 

* For the Duo and Chamber Music Categories, every member pays the fee for the performance time the group chooses. One representative must submit the application and payment for the whole group. 

* The performance time cannot be changed after your application.

◆ What the fee includes

1. Performance at the Winners' Recital (one piece)
2. Award certificate (digital and printed)
3. Crystal trophy
4. Listing on the "Results" page of the official website (photograph and name, for three years)

* The printed certificate and crystal trophy are handed to you backstage after the performance in which you appear.

All information about the Winners' Recital is provided through the Winners' Page.

• A link to the Winners' Page appears on the application completion screen.
• The Winners' Page cannot be reached from the official website. Please be sure to bookmark it.
• We send an invitation email by Wednesday, December 23 to Early Entry applicants, and by Wednesday, February 3 to Final Entry applicants.
• Please add admin@specialvenue.org to your address book so that our email is not blocked.

You register the piece you will perform at the Winners' Recital when you apply for the recital. It may be the same piece as your video audition or a different one. There is no need to resubmit a video. 

• Please choose a piece that fits within the performance time you select.
• We do not accept changes of repertoire after your application. This is because of program printing and the running of the day. Please confirm your piece before you register it.

• You choose your performance time when you apply for the recital: up to 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 minutes. This is separate from the time limit for the video audition, and you may choose any of these regardless of your age. 
• Your participation fee depends on the time you choose (see "Winners' Recital Participation Fee" above).  

* Your performance time runs from the moment you step onto the stage until you leave it, including setting up your instrument, tuning, placing a footstool or pedal extender, and adjusting the bench. 

* If you exceed the performance time you selected, we may ask you to stop your performance. 

* This is so that we can offer the opportunity to perform to as many people as possible. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

• The organizer decides which performance (morning, afternoon, or evening) you will appear in. You will be notified by Wednesday, February 3, 2027
• The organizer also decides the running order within each performance.
•  We are unable to accept requests regarding either.
• Please stay until the end of the performance in which you appear. Your award certificate and crystal trophy are handed to you backstage after the performance.
• At the end of each performance, all performers may be asked to line up on stage. Depending on how the day runs, this may not take place.
• If you leave partway through without notifying us in advance, we cannot hand you your certificate and crystal trophy, and we do not ship them afterwards.

• Only piano accompaniment is permitted. Recorded accompaniment is not permitted.
• If you perform with an instrument other than piano, please apply in the Duo Category.
• If you wish the name of your piano accompanist to appear on the website and in the program, and to be included in the award, please also apply in the Duo Category.
• We can introduce a pianist to those who need an accompanist.
• Rehearsal arrangements and payment of the accompanist's fee are made directly between the performer and the accompanist. The fee is generally JPY 15,000-20,000. Please contact the accompanist directly.

• The Winners' Recital is open to everyone. A ticket is required.
• Performers themselves and their piano accompanists do not need a ticket.
• Tickets are handled by the Tokyo Opera City Ticket Center: Telephone +81-3-5353-9999 (phone hours 10:00-18:00) 
• Ticket counter, 3rd floor, Tokyo Opera City (11:00-19:00) Closed: Mondays, facility closure days, and the New Year holidays
• Prices (tentative): General JPY 3,500-5,500 / Student JPY 1,500-2,000
• The morning, afternoon, and evening performances require separate tickets.
• The on-sale date will be announced on the official website and the Winners' Page once it is confirmed.

Under the hall's regulations, photography, audio recording, and video recording from the audience are not permitted. Please let your guests know in advance.

Winners who are unable to perform at the Winners' Recital, and Honorable Mention recipients, may purchase the Winner's Package (JPY 35,000).  

◆Application deadline 

・Winners: the same as the recital registration deadline (Early Entry: December 18, 23:59 / Final Entry: January 25, 23:59)
・ Honorable Mention recipients: Saturday, January 30, 2027, 23:59

◆What it includes

1. Award certificate (digital and printed)
2. Crystal trophy
3. Listing on the "Results" page of the official website  (photograph and name, for three years)
4. Shipping of the certificate and trophy (within Japan)

• Shipping begins in early April 2027 and continues in sequence.
• For delivery outside Japan, an additional flat shipping fee of JPY 5,000 applies, regardless of destination.
• A 5% processing fee is added to the price shown.
• Any customs duties, import taxes, or clearance fees charged on delivery are the responsibility of the recipient.

We present a digital award certificate to the teacher of each winner. No application is required.

• One teacher, as entered on the video audition application form, is eligible.
• You may register yourself as your own teacher.
• As a rule, results are sent only to the student.

◆Teacher Award — Commemorative Set (JPY 15,000, shipping included)

1. Printed award certificate
2. Listing on the official website with photograph, name, and the name of your studio (for three years, with a link)

• A crystal trophy is available for an additional JPY 12,000 (shipping included).
• A 5% processing fee is added to the price shown, per application. The total amount payable is shown on the application form.
• Shipping begins in early April 2027 and continues in sequence.
• For delivery outside Japan, an additional flat shipping fee of JPY 5,000 applies, regardless of destination. Any customs duties, import taxes, or clearance fees charged on delivery are the responsibility of the recipient.
• One application covers you regardless of how many of your students are selected as winners.
• The application deadline is the same as the deadline for the Winners' Recital.

All costs of participation — the video audition fee, the Winners' Recital participation fee, travel, accommodation, and practice room charges — are borne by the participant, and all arrangements are to be made by the participant.

1. We do not accept cancellations for reasons attributable to the participant, and fees paid are not refunded. The video audition fee is applied to carrying out the judging, and the Winners' Recital participation fee to the venue, the running of the event, and the commemorative items; in both cases these costs are fixed at the time of application.
2. If, after paying the Winners' Recital participation fee, you become unable to perform for unavoidable reasons, we will still provide your award certificate, crystal trophy, and listing on the "Results" page of the official website. Please contact us as soon as you know you will be unable to perform.
3. For the organizer's response if all or part of the Winners' Recital is cancelled or changed at the organizer's discretion, please see "Cancellation or Change of the Event" below.

All or part of the Winners' Recital may be cancelled, postponed, or changed due to an epidemic, natural disaster, fire, circumstances on the part of the venue, orders or advisories of governments or public authorities, or any other cause beyond the organizer's reasonable control.

1. Postponement, a substitute event, a full or partial refund of participation fees, and any other response are decided by the organizer according to the circumstances.
2. Costs incurred for participation, such as travel and accommodation, are not compensated. Please prepare for this yourself, for example with travel insurance.