Notes for Entrants - Instrumentalist (Piano & Accordion)

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• To enter the First Round of the competition, you need to complete an online application form and provide an unedited and uninterrupted audio-visual recording of your performance. You can upload the MP4 file via the entry application or share a YouTube link. If the file is too large, you can use WeTransfer and send it to agpianomusicfestival@gmail.com. Remember to include your name and music competition codes in the message.

• Please visit the Piano or Accordion Competition page for detailed information on the program and code categories. There, you will find a comprehensive list of all the categories offered, along with any relevant details you may need.

• People of all ages and nationalities can participate, but the competitions have separate categories for different age groups.

• When applying for the Accordion Competition, you should state whether you are entering for Accordion Solo, Accordion Ensemble (Duet, Trio) or Accordion Chamber Music and include appropriate Programme and Age Category codes. Moreover, if you are entering as an Accordion Ensemble or Chamber Music, mention the full names of all competitors.

• If you want to participate in the Piano Competition, please specify whether you are entering for Piano Solo or Piano Ensemble (Duets 4 hands). Also, remember to include the appropriate Programme and Age category codes. If you are joining as a Piano Ensemble, remember to provide the full names of both competitors.

• If you are applying for the Jazz Piano category with obligatory improvisation, please note that the pieces you submit should have some improvisation based on the form and harmony of the written material. Typically, this involves adding an 8-, 12-, or 16-bar section in the middle of the piece, during which you may repeat the given left hand while adding your own variations in the right hand. If a solo section is already provided, you should play this and repeat it ‘ad lib’ as marked. You can also add embellishments to the written material, especially if it is recapped towards the end of the piece.

• Please remember that the file for each category must be submitted as one continuous performance for each class separately.

• Please note that in order to be accepted to the First Round, some candidates may be required to submit a copy of the music score for a lesser-known contemporary piece(s) for review by the Adjudicator and will be notified about this by email.

• The time limit set for performance indicates the maximum duration of performance, including pauses between pieces. It is not necessary to use the suggested time completely, but time should not be exceeded.

• We kindly advise contestants to dress suitably for the occasion, keeping in mind the formality of the event and the fact that they will be performing in front of our esteemed Adjudicators. Moreover, we highly encourage performers to bow respectfully before and after their performances. Doing so helps to establish an atmosphere of reverence for the art form and shows appreciation for the audience.

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Audio-Visual Recording

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• Your performance must be recorded in one continuous take and saved in an acceptable format, such as MP4 or YouTube links. It's important to ensure that the sound and recording quality are good, as poor-quality recordings may result in the disqualification of your application. You can easily use a smartphone, iPad, computer or another digital device to record your performance.

• Before recording, ensure your device has sufficient storage and battery. Turning off full HD settings or selecting the lower HD setting (720p) is also recommended to avoid creating files too large for upload. Remember that lowest resolutions (480p) could potentially affect the picture quality. Additionally, choose a quiet room without disruptions or background noise for better recording quality.

• When you film your performance, please ensure that your books or legally downloaded copies are visible to the adjudicator. This will allow them to confirm that you are playing from a legal copy. If you are using a digital copy, show it on the screen to the recording camera.

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​Notes for Entrants – Piano Composers

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• To enter the competition's First Round, you need to submit a completed online application form, along with your music manuscript in PDF format and an uninterrupted audio (MP3) or audio-visual file (MP4) of your piano composition performance. You can upload all of these files via the entry application or share a YouTube link of your composition’s performance. Please ensure that you have included all the required components for your entry to be considered.

• Additionally, you can send larger media files via WeTransfer stating your name and the music competition’s codes and addressing to the agpianomusicfestival@gmail.com.

• This competition is open to participants of all age groups, as separate categories have been created for different age groups.

• Please take note that your piano composition can be performed by another pianist and not necessarily by you.

• Your submission should be written for solo piano in any contemporary classical style, including jazz, and for any technical level.

• You are allowed to make multiple entries for different piano works.

• The time limit set for the piano composition length indicates the piece's maximum duration. Please ensure that your piano piece is within the maximum duration based on the Age Category you are applying for.

• Compositions for prepared piano are NOT allowed and will be disqualified.

• There are no other restrictions, but you will be ineligible if you derive any income from composing any music.

• As a contestant, you are required to submit a self-written or typed, signed letter of declaration that you are the original author of the entered composition (including its title) and that you discharge Around the Globe Music & Arts from any possible consequences that may arise from the improper use of non-original material or material owned by others. It should be sent to the organisers by email.

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Audio Recording

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• A performance must be recorded in one continuous take and saved in an acceptable format, such as

• MP3. It is crucial to ensure good sound quality, as poor recordings may disqualify your application.

• When recording a piano piece, the method you choose will depend on your piano type. If you have a digital piano, recording will be considerably easier than recording an acoustic piano. However, if you record an acoustic piano properly, you will likely achieve a better overall result.

• With better-quality smartphones nowadays, you can capture the full sound of your piano with just a single mic. You need to place the device just outside the instrument but ensure you silence everything you don't want the microphone to pick up. Also, switch your mobile phone to aeroplane mode to avoid any interference.

• To achieve optimal sound quality, minimize any echo and adjust microphone sensitivity until the sound falls between -6 dBs and -12 dBs. This range allows your sound room's source to get louder without clipping the recorded audio.

• It's essential to remember that the bit rate you choose will directly affect the size of your MP3 file. Higher bit rates lead to larger files, so selecting the appropriate bit rate for the content you're working with is essential, especially if it involves music. For instance, 128Kbps is best for CD quality and distributing stereo recordings.

• Choosing the wrong bit rate can lead to larger file sizes. At the same time, lower bit rates may compromise the quality of your recordings. As a general rule, a 64Kbps file will take up around 0.5MB per minute; a 96Kbps file will take up about 0.75MB per minute, and a 128Kbps file will take up approximately 1MB per minute.

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​Notes for Entrants – Young Musicologist

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• This competition is only open to participants aged 18 and under. Additionally, an adult, teacher, parent, or guardian must complete the First Round Registration Entry.

• To participate in the First Round of the competition, you must complete an online application form and attach a written article in English, either in Word or PDF format. The article should be relevant to the competition's theme and meet the specified word count, depending on the Age Category. Once you have filled out the application form, you can attach the file containing your article either through the form itself or via email agpianomusicfestival@gmail.com.

• Please ensure that the file is properly named and that it is attached in the correct format. It is important to note that incomplete applications or articles that do not meet the specified requirements will not be considered for the First Round of the competition. So, please double-check your application and article before submitting.

• The article must have a word count of 700 to 1300 words, including a bibliography, whose length will depend on the Age Category. In Addition, it should relate to the modern composers of different contemporary classical/jazz styles and their piano compositions written after 1970.

• The article's content should cover information about the composer, their piano works, style and the era in which they lived. Additionally, the chosen piano work must be analysed musically, highlighting the use of different techniques and the creative history of the composition.

• Please keep in mind the following guidelines when writing your article about a composition:​

- Your article should reflect your personal perspective on the composition, including the reasons that led you to choose it, its sentimental and creative worth, and the technical challenges it poses. You should also describe the interesting figurative aspect of the composition.

- You are encouraged to make your article more engaging by including multimedia elements such as images, music samples, and quotes.

• For detailed information on the program and code categories, as well as more in-depth writing guidelines, please visit the Young Musicologist Competition page. You will find a comprehensive list of all the categories offered and any relevant details you may need.