The 2026 Edition of the 21st Century Outstanding Musician Awards is an international online music competition open to musicians of all nationalities and ages. Students, professional musicians, teachers and amateur musicians are welcome to participate. Applications are accepted in performance, conducting and composition. Each discipline is divided into different age categories.

​​​​

INSTRUMENTS & DISCIPLINES

• KEYBOARDS: Piano Solo, Harpsichord, Organ, Accordion

• STRINGS: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Classical Guitar, Harp

• WOODWINDS: Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon

• BRASS: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

• VOICE: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

• PERCUSSION: Vibraphone, Marimba, Snare Drum, Multi-Percussion, Timpani, Drum Set, Hand Percussion

• PIANO FOUR HANDS

• CHAMBER MUSIC AND ENSEMBLE: Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, String Quartet, Saxophone Quartet, Wind Quintet, Reed Quintet and Other Ensembles

• CONDUCTING

• COMPOSITION

Applications in other instruments and musical disciplines may also be accepted.

​

AGE CATEGORIES

The participant’s age will be determined as at the application deadline.

• Category A: 7 years and under

• Category B: 8–9 years

• Category C: 10–11 years

• Category D: 12–13 years

• Category E: 14–15 years

• Category F: 16–17 years

• Category G: 18–20 years

• Category H: 21–25 years

• Category I: 26 years and above

Piano four hands, chamber music groups and ensembles should enter according to the age of their oldest member.

​

RULES

1. COMPETITION FORMAT

The 21st Century Outstanding Musician Awards is conducted entirely online.

Participants must complete the official online application form, provide the required performance or composition materials and pay the entry fee before the application deadline.

Each application may include only one work. Participants wishing to submit additional works must complete a separate application and pay the corresponding entry fee for each submission.

 

2. REPERTOIRE REQUIREMENTS

Participants may perform one work of their choice from any musical period or style.

A complete work, a single movement or an excerpt may be submitted. There is no general performance-duration limit.

Previously performed or recorded repertoire is accepted.

 

3. VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

Performance videos must be recorded in one continuous take from a fixed camera position.

The performer and the principal performance movements must remain clearly visible throughout the recording. The sound and image must be synchronised, and a minimum video resolution of 720p is recommended.

The following are not permitted:

• Video editing or splicing

• Artificial audio correction

• Playback manipulation

• AI-generated or AI-modified performances

• Any alteration that misrepresents the participant’s actual performance

Previously recorded videos, including recordings made at concerts, examinations or other competitions, are accepted.

The submitted video must be available for online viewing. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that the link remains accessible throughout the adjudication period.

 

4. CONDUCTING

Conducting applicants must submit a video that clearly demonstrates their conducting technique, musical interpretation and interaction with the ensemble.

The conductor and the principal conducting movements must remain clearly visible throughout the recording.

 

5. COMPOSITION

Composition applicants may submit one original work in any musical style and for any instrumentation.

Where applicable, a PDF score should be accompanied by one of the following:

• An audio recording

• A MIDI or digital realisation

• A publicly accessible audio or video link

Previously performed, published or awarded compositions are accepted.

Applicants must confirm that the submitted composition is their own original work and does not infringe the copyright or intellectual property rights of any third party.

 

6. APPLICATION AND ENTRY FEE

Applicants must submit:

• A completed online application form

• A valid performance, audio or video link

• A PDF score where required

• The entry fee of £65

The application deadline is:

30 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT

An application is considered complete only when both the application form and payment have been received.

Late or incomplete applications may not be accepted.

Entry fees are non-refundable, except in cases of duplicate payment or cancellation of the competition by the organiser.

 

7. JURY AND ADJUDICATION

All applications will be assessed by the competition jury on a 100-point scale.

Participants will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Technical or compositional ability: 30 points

• Musical understanding and stylistic awareness: 25 points

• Artistic expression and individuality: 25 points

• Overall presentation and artistic potential: 20 points

The adjudicators’ decisions are final and binding.

Individual marks, comments and internal jury deliberations will not normally be published. No correspondence concerning the results will be entered into.

 

8. AWARDS

Awards will be granted according to the following scoring system:

• 100 points: Overall Winner

• 96–99 points: Grand Award

• 91–95 points: Platinum Award

• 85–90 points: Gold Award

• 80–84 points: Silver Award

• 75–79 points: Bronze Award

• Below 75 points: Participation Recognition

The Overall Winner will receive a cash prize of £200.

If no participant receives 100 points, the Overall Winner title and cash prize will not be awarded.

There may be more than one recipient at each award level. All eligible participants will receive an electronic certificate.

 

9. RESULTS AND CERTIFICATES

The competition results will be announced on:

20 December 2026

Results will be published on the official competition website.

Electronic certificates will be sent to the email address provided in the application form.

Certificates will be prepared using the information submitted by the applicant. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all names, repertoire details and other information are accurate.

Corrections required because of inaccurate information supplied by the applicant may be subject to an administrative fee.

 

10. COPYRIGHT AND PUBLICATION

Applicants retain the copyright in their performances and original compositions.

By entering the competition, applicants grant the organiser permission to publish materials connected with their participation and the promotion of the competition, including:

• Participant names

• Nationalities

• Photographs

• Biographies

• Competition results

• Submitted performance or composition media

Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all submitted materials are authentic and do not infringe the rights of any third party.

False information, plagiarism, manipulated performances or other serious breaches of the rules may result in disqualification or the withdrawal of an award.

 

11. GENERAL CONDITIONS

By submitting an application, the participant confirms that they have read, understood and accepted these rules.

Applicants under the age of 18 must participate with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

The organiser reserves the right to make reasonable amendments to the rules, schedule or competition arrangements where necessary.

In the event of any discrepancy between translated versions of these rules, the English version shall prevail.

 

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

• Application Deadline: 30 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT

• Results Announcement: 20 December 2026

• Entry Fee: £65