BICC Rules and Policies

Boston International Composition Competition

The Boston International Music Competition (BIMC) is proud to announce its composition contest, BICC, designed to celebrate musical creativity and innovation. We invite composers from all over the world to submit their original works, offering the flexibility to explore a variety of musical styles and instrumentation. BICC is an annual competition, starting from October to the next March for final result announcement. The age requirement is increased from 7 to 35 years old as of the date of the Submission Deadline.

BICC 2026 Schedule:

   (1)  Open for Application: September 1st, 2025

   (2) Submission Deadline:  Sunday February 15th, 2026

   (3) Announcement Date: Monday March 9th, 2026

BICC Instrumentations: Submissions can range from solo instrument pieces to works for duet, trio, quartet or quintet. Large ensembles or orchestrations are also welcomed and will be considered a bonus, though they are not a requirement. Evaluation of the works are proceeded in each category listed below, and the Awards are based on the scores (0 ~ 100) in each Age Group.

   (1) Solo or Duet.

   (2) Trio, quartet, quintet or chamber music.

   (3) Large ensembles or orchestras.

Age Codes: 

   A - Elementary (7-10 years old)

   B - Junior (11-14 years old)

   C - Senior (15-18 years old)

   D1 - Young Artist (19-35 years old): Non-Music Major

   D2 - Young Artist (19-35 years old): Music Major

Considering Instrumentations and Age Codes, we have total 15 competition groups.

BICC Guidelines:

   (1) Boston Int’l Composition Competition is a ONE-round music composition contest, NOT including songwriting.

   (2) Original Work is required. By submitting the BICC application, the contestant agrees to guarantee the composition work is his (her) original work and he (she) holds the copyright of the work. Any works that are found infringing other music works at any later time, the BICC Award will be revoked, and an announcement will be made on this website www.BIMC.us .

   (3) The composition may have multiple composers, but please designate one name only on the application.

   (4) One application can only submit ONE composition work.

   (5) Contestant can Only submit ONE application in each category, and no more than THREE applications in all categories.

   (6) Compositions not exceeding 8 minutes are preferred.

   (7) BICC is open to amateur (non-music major) and professional (music major) composers for age 19 to 35 but being designated by two different Age Group Codes D1 & D2.

   (8) A copy of valid ID is needed from all BICC participants for name and age verification.

   (9) Application Fee: $128 for one application.

FILES and FORMATS Requirements:

   (1) Music score must be in PDF format.

   (2) Audio or video media file in .mp3 or .mp4 format (live or digital recording). 

   (3) Live recording is encouraged and preferred. No .xml file is needed.

Important Notes: 

   (1) Deadline for BICC application: Sunday February 15th, 2026, 11:00pm EST

   (2) For document submission, please visit BICC Application

   (3) For detailed information and audio/video submission requirements, please refer to BIMC website: www.bimc.us

   (4) Please write down your Payment Order# after you finish the payment. You will need to input it in the application

Instruments: 

   (1) Keyboard: piano, electric piano, organ, accordion

   (2) Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, ukulele, harp, mandolin, dulcimer, guzheng, erhu, pipa

   (3) Woodwind: flute, piccolo, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, suona, hulusi

   (4) Brass: trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba

   (5) Percussion: drum set, marimba, xylophone, djembe

Music Styles:  We encourage a wide range of styles, offering freedom beyond the conventional boundaries of classical music competitions. Hence, we accept not only classical music, but also contemporary music like popular music, jazz, world music, etc. This is your chance to showcase your individual artistry and push creative limits.

BICC Awards: 

   (1) One Gold, one Silver, one Bronze, multiple Honorable Mention Awards and multiple Outstanding Achievement Awards for every Age Group.

   (2) Gold Award: Certificate, Gold Award Plaque and $200 for Age Group A, B, C, D1, or $500 for Age Group D2.

   (3) Silver Award: Certificate, Silver Award Plaque.

   (4) Bronze Award: Certificate, Bronze Award Plaque.

   (5) Honorable Mention Award or Outstanding Achievement: Certificate only.

   (6) Excellent Music Education Award: Certificate only to Gold Awardee’s teachers.

   (7) Extra Bonus: Gold Award composition works may have the opportunities to be invited to perform on WeStar Four Season Concerts or on the Winners’ Concert of the Boston Int’l Music Competition in July every year.

BICC Judge Panel:

Prof. James O’Dell

Prof. Utar Artun

Prof. Maxim Lubarsky

Prof. Mischa Salkind-Pearl

For details, please check Competition Judges page, www.BIMC.us/Composition-Judges

Please join us in celebrating musical innovation at the Boston Int’l Composition Competition. We can’t wait to listen your great works!