The 2026 International
Violin Competition

Applications closed September 7, 2026.

Requirements from the published rules, revised March 17, 2026. See the current schedule above for round dates and public attendance information.

Read the original rules and requirements PDF.

Eligibility

This competition is open to violinists of every nationality. The participants may not be under the age of 18 or more than 32 years of age. (You cannot have celebrated your 33rd birthday on or before November 1, 2026.) It will be necessary to submit your verified birth date. Birth certificates, passports or certified school records are acceptable. Xerox copies signed as true copies by the applicant are acceptable. The Naumburg Foundation is not responsible for Visas for musicians who reside abroad.

Application Checklist

Using the online application, the materials listed below must be submitted no later than Monday, September 7, 2026. This list serves only as a convenient summary. You must fully read the rest of this document to understand all the application requirements.

• Submit All of the Items Below in the Online Application Form
• Submit link to YouTube pre-screening video recording (See “Recording” Section)
• Submit three (3) recommendation letters from musicians of acknowledged standing. Complete names and contact information must be provided. These letters can be uploaded to the online application or sent directly to recs@naumburg.org
• Submit two separate, complete recital programs in PDF format (See “Recital Programs”)
• Select two (2) concertos (See “Concertos”)
• Submit a short bio. (Maximum 300 words)
• One large, high-res color headshot for publicity purposes (See online application)
• Pay $150 application fee. Fees are not refundable

Pre-screening Information

Pre-screening of submitted recordings will be held shortly after the submission date by a preliminary panel of judges. Admission decisions will be sent out by mid September at the latest.

Recording (for Pre-screening Jury)

Video recordings with excellent audio quality (YouTube format strongly preferred) totaling no more than 30 minutes must be submitted. With the recording, you must also submit a pre-screening program that includes the titles of each piece, names of composers, names of movement(s) performed, and any other information you think the judges may find pertinent. If you submit a continuous video containing multiple movements and/or pieces, you must provide us with timestamps for the beginning of each movement/piece in our pre-screening program. You and your instrument must be clearly visible in each video recording. These recordings should illustrate the extent of your technical command, variety of your interpretative abilities, and your understanding of different performance styles. The works on the recordings do not need to be the same repertoire that will be included on your two programs. Repertoire on the recordings must not include any concertos or other works with orchestra. It is to your advantage that your recordings represent the highest possible artistic and audio quality.

Recital Programs

Applicants must submit with your application two (2) full recital programs in PDF format. You must be prepared to play both programs during the competition. Each program specifically must include 75 to 100 minutes of music. An intermission, not including your minutes of music, must be indicated on each of your two programs. Your programs should illustrate repertory interest which could form the basis for two separate New York City recital programs. Both programs must include works with a wide range of character. An important American (United States) twentieth-century (composed after 1950) or twenty-first century American (United States) work must be included in one of these programs. There cannot be any duplication of repertoire between the two recital programs.

Concerto Selection

You must submit two (2) concertos -- one from the Classical or Romantic period, and one from the 20th or 21st century; Sibelius must be deemed a Romantic work - NOT 20th century. These concertos will be performed only if you are invited to play on the final round. During the final round, these concertos will be performed with piano accompaniment. You may not use music during your concerti performances. An exception to this can be made for contemporary works but you must request approval from the Jury prior to your performance. These concertos are separate from the music that you submit on your recital programs.

Jury Decisions

Applicant advancement decisions at each round, including pre-screening, are binding and made at the sole discretion of the Jury.

Media Release

By applying to this competition, you irrevocably grant to the Naumburg Foundation (the "Foundation"), its successors, assigns, and licensees, the full and unrestricted rights to capture, use, reproduce, distribute, display, perform, and create derivative works from any photographs, videos, or other recorded media (collectively, "Recorded Media") taken or generated during the course of the 2026 International Violin Competition (the "Competition"). This grant includes, but is not limited to, the rights to use the Recorded Media for commercial, promotional, educational, archival, or any other purposes, in any and all media formats, whether now known or hereafter devised, throughout the universe in perpetuity.

Cancellation Policy

Applicants who must cancel, for any reason, must notify Naumburg by email to kyle.foley@naumburg.org as soon as possible. Use the subject line “[FirstName LastName - Dropping Out]” If comfortable doing so, please include the reason for cancellation.

Performance Lengths

• Preliminary Round 20 Minutes
• Semi-Final Round 30 Minutes
• Final Round 45 Minutes | Half Hour - Solo Recital | 15 Min - Concerto

Final Round Solo Recital

The repertoire for the solo recital in the Final Round will be determined by the Finalist, using selections from their two programs submitted during their initial application.

Warm Up Time

• Preliminary Round 15 Minutes
• Semi-Final Round 25 Minutes
• Final Round 35 Minutes

Decision Announcements

Preliminary Round: This round occurs over multiple days. Advancement decisions will be sent late on the final evening. Those who advance will receive a phone call, while those who do not advance will receive an email.

Semi-Final Round: Advancement decisions will be given later in the evening after the conclusion of the round via phone call.

Final Round: The winner announcements will take place on stage after the conclusion of the Final Round, which will be open to the public and live-streamed. Finalists are required to stay after their performance in the Final Round until the conclusion of the winner announcements. Prize winners are required to attend the reception, if one is held.

Accompanists

Naumburg requires that you engage your own accompanist for the competition. You are required to contact them and arrange rehearsals, performances and payment for their services on your own. We require that your accompanist be present with you from the beginning of your warm-up period. Upon request, we will provide contact information for known accompanists.

Practice Spaces

Naumburg requires that you find your own practice spaces in the days leading up to the competition. Upon request, we can assist you in finding a practice space.

Lodging and Travel

Naumburg does not provide airfare or accommodations for contestants.

Performance Procedure

For the preliminary and semi-final rounds, you will perform works from the two programs you submitted in your initial application. Prior to each round, you will select the first piece you will be performing and submit this information to Naumburg staff via online form. Following the first selection, the judges will at their discretion select the rest of the repertoire from your two programs. For the entirety of these rounds, the judges can stop you at any time. For the final round, you will perform a half hour solo recital program using the repertoire from the two programs. You will select the repertoire. The final 15 minutes will be dedicated to your concerto. The movements to be performed will be selected by the jury. There will be no performance interruptions by the jury during the Final Round. If you require a page turner for any of the rounds, you must notify Naumburg staff either through the online application, or via email to kyle.foley@naumburg.org at least 10 days in advance of the competition date.

Use of Scores

• Contestants may use music in any format when performing
  • Contemporary works (If you are unsure if a work is contemporary, you must contact Naumburg and we will provide approval.)
  • Sonatas from any era for Violin and Piano
• Applicants must provide one PDF copy of the score for each contemporary work to the jury for the preliminary round.
• Do not provide the jury with score copies for non-contemporary works.
• Questions regarding this policy can be emailed to debra.kinzler@naumburg.org

Winner Requirements

The winner of the competition may not perform a solo recital in New York City between the date of the competition and that of the first Naumburg recital.

Expenses & Travel

Naumburg is not responsible for expenses related to the competition, including travel, housing, pianist fees, VISAs, or incidental costs.

Prize Decisions

At the full discretion of the Jury three prizes may be awarded. The awards will be based on the jury’s decisions and they reserve the right to withhold any or all awards.

Prize Taxation

Tax reporting rules require that gifts, prizes, and awards in the amount of at least $600 be treated as taxable income and, therefore, reported on Form 1099-MISC.

Juror Interaction

Contestants must not make any attempt to be in contact with any juror during the competition. The jury, at its discretion, may ask for any work of the repertory on a contestant’s list. Contestants who are not ready to perform when called by the jury may be disqualified. For questions please contact Debra Kinzler at debra.kinzler@naumburg.org │www.naumburg.org