Application
- Please visit event registration in order to register for the Disability Music Festival.
Introduction
Welcome to the Music Festival for Musicians with Disabilities, an inclusive competition designed to showcase the musical talents of candidates with disabilities from around the world. This competition is open to all ages, nationalities, and instruments, with no restrictions on genre or style. We believe that everyone deserves an equal opportunity to showcase their skills and talents, and this competition is our way of ensuring that candidates with disabilities have a platform to do so. We are proud to offer cash prizes, and there are no entry fees for any participant. Join us in celebrating the diversity and richness of the musical community and help us empower candidates with disabilities to reach their full potential.
Schedule
Live In-Person
May 1st, 2025 – Registration Deadline
- Registration for the competition, including repertoire submission and full payment of registration fees, must be completed by May 1st, 2025.
May 17th, 2025 – IAPMT Disability Music Festival (Live In-Person)
- The IAPMT Disability Music Festival is a Live In-Person competition.
- This event will be held at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California.
- Registration deadline for this event is May 1st, 2025.
Online Video Submission
May 31st, 2025 – Registration Deadline
- Registration for the competition, including repertoire and video link submission as well as full payment of registration fees, must be completed by May 31st, 2025.
May 31st, 2025 – IAPMT Online Disability Festival (Online Video Submission)
- The IAPMT Online Disability Festival is an Online competition with an Online Video Submission format.
- Registration deadline for this event is May 31st, 2025.
Awards Ceremony & Winners’ Concert
- Information regarding the Awards Ceremony and Winners’ Concert will be posted at a later date.
Rules and Regulations
Groups
There are a total of 17 groups. Groups 1-13 are based upon the contestant’s birth year:
| Group | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |
| Year Born | 2019 or later | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 |
Groups 14-17 have no age limit and are as follows:
- Group 14 • Amateur • Non-Music degree holder who works in a non-music related field.
- Group 15 • Collegiate • Holds a bachelor’s degree or is studying towards one.
- Group 16 • Master • Holds a master’s degree or is studying towards one.
- Group 17 • Professional • Holds a DMA degree, is studying towards one.
Difficulty Levels
- There are 4 levels of difficulty: Novice (Beginner), Standard (Intermediate), Expert (Early Advanced – Advanced), and Virtuoso (Highly Competitive).
- Collegiate, Master and Professional group may only compete at the Expert or Virtuoso levels.
Novice provides a unique platform for beginner students to experience competition in an easy and friendly environment, helping them prepare for higher levels. Students can participate in Novice multiple times until they feel confident and ready to advance to Standard, which serves as the first step in competitions.
Standard level builds upon the foundation laid in Novice, providing a comfortable transition for students to further explore their musical abilities. While it offers a higher level of challenge, it maintains a supportive and encouraging environment, ensuring that students feel at ease as they take the next step in their musical journey. Standard level strikes a balance between nurturing growth and introducing new elements, allowing participants to continue honing their skills with confidence and enthusiasm.
Expert level serves as an exciting progression from Standard, offering participants the chance to further refine their skills and showcase their growing talent. While it presents a higher level of challenge, Expert level maintains a supportive and encouraging environment, empowering students to push their boundaries and explore new musical horizons. This level is designed for dedicated and passionate individuals who are ready to take their musical abilities to the next level. It provides a platform for participants to demonstrate their exceptional talent and prepares them for more advanced opportunities in the future.
The Virtuoso level is designed for highly competitive participants who are prepared to showcase their exceptional skills. This level requires participants to perform two pieces, demonstrating their mastery and artistry in a challenging competition setting.
For Virtuoso level participants, in addition to the cash prize, there is an exclusive opportunity to perform at renowned concert halls around the world. This level is specifically designed for highly accomplished musicians who are ready to showcase their exceptional talent on a global stage. By performing at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and Sydney Opera House, participants gain recognition and exposure in the music industry, further enhancing their musical journey and career prospects.
Composition
- One piece is required for Novice, Standard and Expert Levels
- Two pieces are required for Virtuoso Level
Divisions
- You may choose from either Solo for Classical music, or Popular for Popular Music.
Format
- Online (video submission) or Live In-Person at Azusa Pacific University
Awards
- All winners will receive medals and certificates.
- Cash Prize awards will be given to Virtuoso Level winners: 1st: $200 • 2nd: $100 • 3rd: $60
- IAPMT Concert Performance Grants-Non Cash Prizes (applied towards concert tours or performances at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie)
Grand Prize Winner from Expert and Virtuoso: $500
Grand Prize Winner from Standard and Novice: $300
10 Encouraging Awards of Judges Selections(All Categories): $150 - 1st-5th place winners in the Novice, Standard and Expert levels will be awarded E-certificates.
- 1st-4th place winners in the Virtuoso level will be awarded E-certificates.
- 1st -3rd place winners will be invited to perform and have another chance to compete in the special round at Wiener Saal in the Mozarteum, Salzburg on June 8th, 2025; and Haydn Hall in Esterhazy Castle, Austria on June 14th, 2025.
- 1st place winners of Novice and Standard levels will be invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on July 1st – 2nd, 2025
- 1st and 2nd place winners of Expert and Virtuoso levels will be invited to perform at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall on July 1st – 2nd, 2025
- Virtuoso-level Gala Concert participants will be awarded trophies and certificates.
- Winners at the Novice, Standard, and Expert levels who are Gala Concert participants will receive medals and certificates.
- 1st and 2nd place winners will have a chance to perform during the IAPMT 7-10 days Europe Concert Tours on June 16th-22nd or July 2025
- REGISTRATION for performances at Carnegie and Europe Concert Halls will be open on March 10th, 2025 for all winners.
- Selected winners of the Concerto Division will have the opportunity to perform during the IAPMT Europe or Asia Concert Tours in 2025 and receive a coaching session with the conductor of the Orchestra.
- The selected grand prize winners will be recognized as “IAPMT Young Kawai Artist”
- Selected Teachers of the Grand Prize winners will be honored as “Kawai Medallion Teacher”
- Please note that a shipping charge for the delivery of medals may apply for certain regions and countries.