Guidelines and Application Forms
How can I obtain the Guidelines and Application Forms ?
The Guidelines and the Application Forms can be downloaded from the SIMC official website. A printed version of the Guidelines is also available in the form of a booklet that also includes an Application Form. If you prefer the printed version, please use the "Request Form for the Guidelines and Application Forms" provided on our website.
The Guidelines state that eligibility is given to the candidates of all nationalities who were born on or after January 1, 1982. Is there a minimum age limit ?
No.
Do I need to submit a recommendation letter from my teacher ?
No, you don't.
Preliminary Selection
In recording a number of designated pieces on a CD, MD or DAT for the Preliminary Selection, is it acceptable to do recordings at several different recording venues ?
Yes, it is acceptable.
Piano Section: In regard to the Preliminary Selection, the Guidelines state that the applicant must record at least 15 minutes of his or her performance of solo piece(s) of his or her choice on a CD, MD or DAT. Is there a maximum limit for the recording duration ?
No.
Screening Auditions
In regard to the Piano Section Screening Auditions, will the SIMC Secretariat introduce an accompanist ?
No. The Secretariat will not introduce accompanists for the audition participants. The audition participant must provide his or her own accompanist.
Will the Secretariat provide practice spaces at the Audition venues for the Audition Participants ?
Yes, a space for practice will be provided before your performance at the audition venue. The practice time, however, will be designated to each Audition Participant by the Secretariat.
Are there any grants for participants and their piano accompanists in the Screening Auditions ?
No, there is no financial aid for the Screening Auditions. All participants are expected to bear all their own costs. The Secretariat shall provide travel and accommodation grants for those who participate in the Competition (from Elimination Round and up) as stated in the Guidelines.
At the time of participating in the Screening Auditions, will the Secretariat provide me the assistance such as the transportation ticket arrangements, and/or introducing accommodation facilities, etc ?
No. The Secretariat will not provide such assistance. The Audition Participants must make such arrangements by themselves.
From the Elimination Round through to the Final Round
In regard to the Piano Section Elimination Round Repertoire:
If I make up a program by selecting a piece (or some pieces) of which I wish to perform, not all the movements/variations, etc, but only excerpt(s), is it acceptable?
No. It is not acceptable to perform only excerpt(s) of your selected piece (pieces), so all movements/variations, etc. of each piece you select in your program must be performed. If this results in the case of exceeding the set performance time limit, you must change the selection of your pieces to make your entire program to end within the time limit.
<As to the piece(s) to be recorded for the Preliminary Selection, performing the excerpt(s) of a piece is acceptable.>
Piano Section: In regard to the Elimination Round, is it acceptable to perform the piece which I will also perform for the Preliminary Selection ?
Yes, it is acceptable.
In regard to the Semifinal or Final Round for the Piano Section, is it possible to perform the same piece that I will perform in the Screening Auditions ?
Yes, it is possible.
If it is not possible for me to register at the place and the time designated by the Secretariat, will my proxy be able to register for me ?
No. The Contestant himself /herself MUST register in person.
Will the Secretariat provide practice space during the Competition ?
The following practice opportunities shall be provided free of charge during the Competition.
- For the piano section:
Four hours a day in a room equipped with a piano starting from the day after the Registration date.
- For the violin section:
One rehearsal with the chamber orchestra prior to the Elimination Round. As a rule, rehearsal time will be limited to 50 minutes (including the briefing with the conductor).
- For both sections:
One rehearsal of one hour with an orchestra in the Semifinal and Final Rounds. As a rule, rehearsal time will be limited to one hour. ( including the briefing with the conductor).
Miscellaneous
I was told that an invitation letter is required at the time of application to obtain a Japanese Visa to enter Japan.
An invitation letter will be sent to you upon request to the Secretariat. Please keep in mind to contacting the Secretariat as soon as possible to give us enough time to prepare and send the invitation letter, so that it will reach you in time for your visa application.
How many applicants pass each stage ?
The number of people who pass each judging round for each section is as follows:
- Preliminary Selection: approximately 120
- Screening Audition: approximately 36
- Elimination Round: no more than 12
- Semifinal Round: no more than 6
