Rounds & Repertoire - Competitions-2025








There are 3 Rounds in the George Gershwin International Music Competition: Preliminary, Semifinal, and Final.

Competition application fee is $100 for soloists and Duos, applying as Chamber Ensemble.
Application fee for Trios: $150; Quartets - $175; Ensembles with 5 or more participants - $250.
Application fee for Vertex Concerto Competition: $125.


PRELIMINARY SELECTION

Applicants must EITHER submit a Video Recording, OR participate in the Live Preliminary Audition.


VIDEO PRE-SELECTION

Applicants must submit a performance recording of repertoire of the candidate’s choice. Each work on the video must be continuous performance. Recordings may be paused between each repertoire selection or recorded on the different venues/dates.
If an applicant is selected to participate in the competition, repertoire performed in performance video of the preliminary round may be repeated in the subsequent main rounds. For details, please see the Competition Rounds Section below. The recording can be submitted as a single DVD, sent by mail with a completed application form, or uploaded through the Gershwin Music Competition online application link (preferable method). Links to online recordings (YouTube, Vimeo, Googl Drive) can be also be emailed to gershwincompetition@gmail.com.

Here are the deadlines to submit a pre-selection recording:
February 25, 2025 - 11:59 PM - Cycle 1 - Open for registration
May 15, 2025 - 11:59 PM - Cycle 2 - Open for registration
September 15, 2025 - 11:59 PM - Cycle 3 - Open for registration
3 Cycles of video pre-selection are independant auditions. Several participants are admitted to the Semifinal Rounds (to be held in October) from each Video pre-selection cycle.

Timing of recording

Concert Artists: Pianists and Ensembles 18 to 40 years of age: no less than 15 minutes and no more than 60 minutes of total time.
Young Artists: Pianists and Ensembles 13 to 17 years of age: no less than 10 minutes and no more than 30 minutes of total time.
Talent show: 8 to 12 years of age: no less than 5 minutes and no more than 25 minutes of total time.
Important! It's not required to perform Gershwin works at Live Preliminary Audition or Preliminary Round Recording.

Recording rules

- Participants can submit 1 or several recordings, which fit the timing indicated for specific age category. Jury members can accept recordings which exceed performance time by 2-3 minutes (if needed).
- We don't have specific requirements to the camera angle, however we would like a recording to have a nice sound quality.
- The recording does NOT have to be made specifically for the Gershwin Competition.

LIVE AUDITION PRE-SELECTION

Time requirements for Live Auditions - February 27-28

Pianists 18 to 38 years of age: no more than 15 minutes of performance time.
Pianists 13 to 17 years of age: no more than 10 minutes of performance time.
Pianists 8 to 12 years of age: no more than 5-7 minutes of performance time.
Chamber Ensembles 18-45 years of members' age: no more than 15 minutes of performance time.
Chamber Ensembles 13-17 years of members' age: no more than 10 minutes of performance time.
Important! It's not required to perform Gershwin works at Live Preliminary Audition or submit a Preliminary Round Recording.


CONCERT SERIES PRE-SELECTION

Currently not offered for competitions 2025


COMPETITION ROUNDS


PIANO - Will compete October 29-November 3, 2025.

Artists Category (Ages 18 to 40)

SEMIFINAL ROUND (36 competitors)

Each contestant will perform a short recital program not to exceed 15 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the candidate and may include a transription of a work by George Gershwin. Performing Gershwin's work is NOT required, although we offer a special prize for the best performance of George Gershwin's work. Works chosen from the repertoire of the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal Round.

FINAL ROUND (12 competitors)

Each contestant will perform a recital program between 20 and 25 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the candidate. The program should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to present a stylistically diverse program. Works from the previous rounds may be repeated.

Young Artists Category (Ages 13 to 17)

SEMIFINAL ROUND

Each pianist will perform a short recital program between 10 and 15 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the candidate and may include a transription of a work by George Gershwin. Performing Gershwin's work is NOT required, although we offer a special prize for the best performance of George Gershwin's work. Works chosen from the repertoire of the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal Round.

FINAL ROUND

Each contestant will perform a recital program between 15 and 20 minutes in length. The repertoire for this recital will consist of works chosen by the contestant. The program should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to present a stylistically diverse program. Works from the previous rounds may be repeated.

Talent Show Category (Ages 8 to 12)

Talen Show participants will perform the same program in the Semifinal and Final Rounds.

Each contestant will perform a program between 8 and 12 minutes in length. The repertoire will consist of works chosen by the candidate and may include one work by George Gershwin or a transcription of music by George Gershwin.

Performing Gershwin's work is NOT required, although we offer a special prize for the best performance of George Gershwin's work.

New in 2025! CHAMBER ENSEMBLES

Any instrumental combination of 2 to 8 players in total, which may include piano.

Chamber Ensembles will compete October 29-November 3, 2025.
The average age of young artists' ensembles must be between 13 and 17, while concert artists ensembles can be between ages 18 to 45.

Concert Artists Category (Ages 18 to 45)

SEMIFINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.

2-3 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 15 minutes.

FINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.

2-4 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 30 minutes.

It's NOT a requirement to perform Gershwin work or a transcription in either round.
Works performed in the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal and/or Final Rounds.


Young Artists Category (Ages 13 to 17)

SEMIFINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.

1-2 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 10 minutes.

FINAL ROUND REPERTOIRE.

2-4 compositions chosen by the contestants, with timing not to exceed 20 minutes.

It's NOT a requirement to perform Gershwin work or a transcription in either round.
Works performed in the Preliminary Round may be repeated in the Semifinal and/or Final Rounds.


STRING INSTRUMENTS

Violin~Viola~Cello~Double Bass~Harp~Guitar

Strings will compete in 2026.
However, string instrumentalists can apply to compete in the Vertex Concerto Competition in 2025.

Repertoire will be similar to season 2023. For repertoire requirements, click HERE


WINDS & BRASS INSTRUMENTS

Bassoon~Clarinet~Saxophone~Flute~Oboe

English Horn~French Horn~Saxophone~Trombone~Trumpet~Tuba

Winds & Brass will compete in 2026.
However, string instrumentalists can apply to compete in the Vertex Concerto Competition in 2025.

Repertoire will be similar to season 2017. For repertoire requirements, click HERE


VOICE

Vocalists will compete in 2026.
However, string instrumentalists can apply to compete in the Vertex Concerto Competition in 2025.

Repertoire will be similar to season 2017. For repertoire requirements, click HERE

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