Alexander & Buono International String Competition
Strings
Apply online to the Strings Competition, then use the cart to checkout.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
The Application Deadline is Monday, July 1, 2024.
No applications will be accepted after this date.
AGE DIVISION/CATEGORIES
Elementary School (ages 4-11 years)
Middle School (ages 12-14 years)
High School (ages 15-18 years)
College/Adults: College students pursuing degrees in Music and/or those who have already launched professional careers.
Amateur Adults: Adults 19 years and older without professional degrees in Music
ENTRANCE FEE
$150
NOTIFICATION
Winners will be notified by Thursday, August 1, 2024.
REPERTOIRE & COMPETITION RULES
Repertoire for the Competition may be chosen from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and/or Contemporary eras.
ONLY VIDEO FILES WILL BE ACCEPTED. WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING AUDIO FILES.
We recommend any of the accepted YouTube video formats, MOV, MP4, AVI, WMV or FLV and that you upload the video file to a permanent file sharing service such as Google Drive, DropBox or YouTube.
Temporary file sharing (such as WeTransfer) is not recommended because the file will be deleted after a certain period of time.
You will be asked to upload your video and share the URL
with us.For those of you who are submitting multiple tracks, please use YouTube to create a "playlist" and then submit a single URL/link to that playlist in your application. (See Create and Manage a Playlist on YouTube)
TIME LIMIT
There is no time limit for the recording, however, we recommend 20-30 minutes or less.
PAYMENT
Major credit cards are accepted. Payment is required at the time of application submission.
The full application and required information are available when you click on "APPLY NOW".
Once started, the application cannot be saved for future edits.
Apply online to the Strings Competition, then use the cart to checkout.
FAQs
String Competition
How is this competition different from others?
When a person wins an Alexander & Buono Competition, they also receive ongoing career counseling of the finest kind. Each winner is eligible to receive up to a year of guidance that includes everything from help in making career choices that keep you moving from strength to strength, to recommendations on repertoire for both study and performance; advice on technique and interpretation; coaching, concert programming and planning; even tools for handling criticism as well as you do praise.
What’s more, our team of experts includes two Steinway Artists, a University Dean of Music Emeritus, graduates of Yale and Princeton Universities, The Juilliard School, and Salzburg’s Mozarteum.
Talent alone is not a guarantee of success. Time, planning, study, patience, and the strategic handling of every aspect of training are essential to building a career of both longevity and personal fulfillment.
That’s why for us a competition win is not the end—it’s just the beginning.
What is the time limit for each division?
There is no absolute time limit for the recording.
We recommend 25 minutes or less if it is feasible, as each application has to be reviewed by judges.
What are the repertoire requirements?
There are no specific requirements, as we want each applicant to present the work or works they believe best represent their artistry, just as you would do if you were performing in a live recital.
Is a movement of a larger composition acceptable?
Yes, participants can perform a movement of a sonata or a larger work.
Should I submit a video or audio recording?
Video. We only accept video recordings.
How should I dress for the video?
We suggest that you dress as formally as you can as if you were performing in a concert hall. Please don’t forget that your performance will be seen around the world, and potentially by artists and managers.
Do I have to submit an online application?
Yes. We only accept online applications.