BIMC Rules and Policies

ston Int'l Music Competition

Categories: 1 - Voice (V), 2 - Piano (P), 3 - Other Instruments (O)

Age Codes: 

      A - Elementary (Age 5-11)

      B - Junior (Age 11-14)

      C - Senior (Age 14-19)

      D1 - Young Artist (Age 19-25): Non-Music Major

      D2 - Young Artist (Age 19-25): Music Major

So, there are a total of 15 groups among the 3 categories. Group Codes are like VA, VB, VC, VD1, VD2, PA, PB, PC, PD1, PD2, OA, OB, OC, OD1, OD2

Eligibility: 

• BIMC welcomes talent teenagers and musicians of all nationalities from the age of 5 up to 25 as of the date of May 1, 2023
• Please select the correct group in your application and pay the appropriate fee based on the number of the team members
• One team can choose up to 3 categories for different instruments, in which case submitting multiple applications for the chosen categories are needed
• Each application must submit just ONE video for the competition
• Videos cannot be submitted more than once (i.e. submitting the same video in multiple applications)
• Any participant who is enrolled currently in or graduated from a music college level school must choose the category D2 -Young Artist with Music Major

BIMC Competition Schedule: Competition announcements for all rounds will be available timely in the Announcement section at this website.

• 5/7/2023 Sunday, Online - Round 1 Preliminary Application EXTENDED Deadline (Application Fee applies) 
• 5/15/2023 Monday, Online - Round 1 Competition Announcement: Video Screening, yields Semi-Finalists (< 18 in each category)
• 6/4/2023 Sunday, Online - Round 2 Repertoire Video Submission Deadline. Only Semi-Finalists are eligible to Round 2 Competition (Evaluation Fee applies)
• 6/19/2023 Monday, Online - Round 2 Competition Announcement: Video Evaluation, yields Finalists, the Top 3 in each category, and the other “Best” Awards). The Top 3 Finalists in all groups are invited to the final round on-site competition
• 7/15/2023 Saturday 1-4 PM EST, Boston MA - Final Round On-Site Competitions for all categories will proceed simultaneously from 1 - 4 PM EST. Any finalist who could not come on site will need to submit a required video for final round competition. The First, Second and Third Position Winners will be announced on the BIMC Award Ceremony in the evening
• 7/15/2023 Saturday 6:30PM EST, Boston MA - BIMC Award Ceremony and Winner Concert. Only the First Position Winners for all groups will perform on the concert

Video Requirements:

• Every piece of music should be no more than 8 minutes
• Videos should be in MP4 format and no more than 800MB each
• Videos must be in original recording from ONE camera angle with good lighting and may not be edited or modified in any way
• Videos must show at least the performer's upper half body and hands. Other instrument performers must show the whole or major portion of the instrument
• Vocalists may wear headphones while recording but need to show at least the top half of their body and any microphones
• If you have accompanists, the pianist or the principal accompanist must be shown in the video
• Videos for a band or an orchestra need to show all group members
• Any video applications that are suspected of foul play will be asked to re-take and resubmit their applications, including repaying included fees
• Videos must be recorded after October 1, 2022
• Video submission should be a web link of Youtube, Youku or Bilibili. Video files/titles must be named in a format as "Your Full Name_Category_Age Code_Music Title". Example:  John Smith_Piano_Age Code B_Chopin Ballade No 1 in G minor Op 23
• Dress Code: formal

Application and Fees: 

When you make the payment, please make sure to choose the right Team Size and input the exact number of your team members in the "Quantity" box to ensure the correct amount in the application fee. Please click here for the payment and application.  

• Round 1 Preliminary Application Fee

1. Solo (1 person): US$98 /person
2. Team (2-5 members): US$90 /person
3. Team (6-12 members): US$85 /person
4. Team (13 - 20 members): US$80 /person
5. Team (21 members or more): US$78 /person

• Round 2 Semi-final Repertoire Video Evaluation Fee

1. Solo (1 person): US$78 /person
2. Team (2-5 members): US$70 /person
3. Team (6-12 members): US$65 /person
4. Team (13 - 20 members): US$60 /person
5. Team (21 members or more): US$58 /person

• Final Round Competition: No Fees

Contestant Award Certificates and Prizes:

• First Place Winner for Non-Music Major (A, B, C, or D1) in every category will receive a Certificate and a $300 prize award
• First Place Winner for Young Artist with Music Major (D2) in every category will receive a Certificate and a $1000 prize award
• Second Place Winner for Non-Music Major (A, B, C, or D1) in every category will receive a Certificate and a $200 prize award
• Second Place Winner for Young Artist with Music Major (D2) in every category will receive a Certificate and a $500 prize award
• Third Place Winner for every age in every category will receive a Certificate and a $100 prize award
• Best Audience Favorite Award Winner for every age in every category will receive a Certificate only
• Best Stage Performance Award Winner for every age in every category will receive a Certificate only
• Excellence Award and Honorable Award Winners for every age in every category will receive a Certificate only

Other Award Certificates：

• The music teachers of the First three position and Best award winners will receive Certificates of Excellent Music Education
• The schools or studios that First three position and Best award winners are from will receive Certificates of Excellent Music Organization