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REGULATIONS

Ravel Award IMC – International Music Competition

1. General Provisions

The Ravel Award IMC (International Music Competition) is an international online competition open to musicians of all ages and nationalities.

The competition welcomes:

  • solo instrumentalists
  • vocalists
  • chamber ensembles
  • composers
  • conductors
  • music video creators

Repertoire is free. There is no obligation to perform works by Maurice Ravel.

2. Competition Structure

The competition consists of two stages:

Preliminary Round – complimentary
Final Round – by invitation only

All applicants participate in the Preliminary Round.
Candidates selected by the jury may proceed to the Final Round upon payment of the administrative fee.

All finalists are officially recognized as Laureates of the Ravel Award IMC.

3. Schedule – Current Edition

1 April – Deadline for Preliminary Round applications
2–4 April – Preliminary evaluation
5 April – Results announcement (email)
5–9 April – Final Round confirmation and registration
10–14 April – Final evaluation
16 April – Official results publication

The organizer reserves the right to adjust dates if required.

4. Categories & Age Groups

Categories:

  • Solo instruments (all instruments)
  • Voice (all voice types)
  • Chamber music
  • Composition
  • Conducting
  • Music video creation

Age groups apply to all categories except chamber music:

A – up to 7
B – 8–9
C – 10–11
D – 12–13
E – 14–15
F – 16–17
G – 18–20
H – 21–25
I – 26+

Age is determined as of the application deadline.

Participants may apply to multiple categories; however, each category entry must be submitted as a separate application.

Only one application per participant per category is permitted. If multiple submissions are received from the same participant within the same category (for example with different recordings), the organizer will consider only the most recent submission.

5. Repertoire

Participants may present repertoire of their own choice from any musical period or style. The submitted recording should represent the participant’s artistic level and abilities in the best possible way.

Complete works or selected movements are accepted.

The total duration of the submitted program must not exceed 30 minutes.

Participants selected for the Final Round may submit a new recording if they wish.

Composition category:
The work may be performed by live musicians or generated using computer software. Submission of the score (sheet music) is optional but may be provided for verification purposes.

6. Application & Video Submission

Applications must be submitted exclusively through the official online form available on the competition website.

Participants must provide:

  • a streaming video link (YouTube, Vimeo, or similar)
  • clear audio and video quality
  • full visibility of the performer and instrument/voice

Edited recordings are permitted, provided they present a fair and truthful representation of the performer’s abilities.

Downloadable files (WeTransfer, Dropbox, etc.) are not accepted.

Composers may submit an audio recording instead of a video.

7. Fees

Preliminary Round – complimentary
Final Round – €95 administrative fee

The Final Round fee applies only to invited candidates who choose to continue.

All fees are non-refundable.

8. Jury & Evaluation

The jury is composed of internationally active musicians and educators.

To ensure independence and impartiality, the names of jury members may remain undisclosed.

Preliminary Round Evaluation

During the Preliminary Round, the jury evaluates candidates primarily for qualification to the Final Round. The assessment is based on the overall artistic level and potential of the performance (selection on a yes/no basis).

For this reason, the organizer reserves the right for the jury to listen to submissions partially or in excerpts.

Participants selected for the Final Round proceed to detailed evaluation.

Final Round Evaluation, Scoring & Awards

In the Final Round, performances are evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • technical proficiency
  • musical interpretation
  • artistic individuality
  • repertoire selection
  • overall presentation

Each criterion is assessed on a scale of 0 to 5 points, with a maximum total score of 25 points.

Final distinctions are awarded according to the total score:

  • 25 points – Absolute Prize
  • 24 points – Platinum Prize
  • 23–22 points – Gold Prize
  • 21–20 points – Silver Prize
  • 19–18 points – Bronze Prize
  • 17 – 16 points – Distinction Prize

Special awards may be granted at the jury’s discretion.

All jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
The jury reserves the right not to award distinctions in any category.

9. Awards & Diplomas

All participants invited to the Final Round are officially recognized as Laureates of the Ravel Award IMC and receive a digital diploma confirming their distinction.

The highest distinction of the competition is the Absolute Prize. Each Absolute Prize Laureate receives a cash award of €200.

Distinctions awarded in the competition may include:

  • Absolute Prize
  • Platinum Prize
  • Gold Prize
  • Silver Prize
  • Bronze Prize
  • Distinction Prize
  • Special Awards

Diplomas are issued in official digital (PDF) format.

In addition to formal awards, selected laureates may receive further recognition opportunities, including:

  • featured interviews in an international music magazine (Absolute Winners)
  • presentation in the Winners’ section on the official competition website (all winners)
  • presentation on the Universal Maestro Society website (Absolute Winners and Platinum Prize Winners)
  • an individual winner’s poster including the participant’s photo and achievement details, available for download and personal promotion (Absolute Winners, Platinum Winners and Gold Winners)

Selected laureates may be featured on the competition website and official media channels for informational and promotional purposes.

The Universal Maestro Society is an international platform dedicated to the promotion and recognition of distinguished musicians worldwide.

Teacher Appreciation Diplomas may be issued upon request.

The organizer reserves the right to determine the number and type of awards in each edition based on the artistic level of the participants.

Absolute Prize Laureates must contact the organizer within one month from the date of the official results announcement to arrange the cash award and related recognition opportunities (including the magazine feature).

Failure to establish contact within this period may result in forfeiture of the monetary award at the organizer’s discretion.

10. Image Rights & Personal Data

By submitting an application, participants:

  • consent to the processing of personal data for competition administration
  • grant permission for the organizer to use submitted recordings, photographs, names, and biographies for promotional and archival purposes

Personal data are processed in accordance with applicable international data protection regulations.

11. Acceptance of Rules

Submission of an application constitutes full acceptance of these Rules & Regulations.

The organizer reserves the right to interpret the rules and make final decisions in matters not expressly covered herein.