RULES AND REQUIREMENTS (2025)
The 2025 competition will be held online in the same format as the 2024 Sejong Music Competition.
Participants must submit videos that will be judged.
NEW! Finalists in the Junior and Senior Divisions will be invited to perform live before a panel of judges on Saturday, November 22, 2025,
at BISCO Hall, located in the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago
9925 Capitol Dr, Wheeling, IL 60090
Please note: Submissions that fail to meet all requirements will be disqualified.
Submission Deadline
Piano & Violin: Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM CDT
Divisions and Prizes
Violin and piano categories are divided into the following age divisions:
- Senior Division (Grades 9–12): First ($700), Second ($600), Third ($500), Best Interpretation of Korean Music ($500)
- Junior Division (Grades 6–8): First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300), Best Interpretation of Korean Music ($300)
- Elementary Division (Up to Grade 5): First ($300), Second ($200), Third ($100), Best Interpretation of Korean Music ($100)
General Rules
- Videos that fail to follow the video submission guidelines will not be viewed by judges.
- Violin Division: Unless the repertoire is written for solo violin, all pieces must be performed with live piano accompaniment.
- This competition is open to all pre-college violin and piano students residing in the U.S., regardless of ethnicity or nationality.
- From each division, judges will select a winner for Best Interpretation of Korean Music. This is independent of overall winners.
- Students may compete in higher divisions than their school grade. However, they must perform the required piece for that division.
- First-place winners from previous years may not compete again in the same division.
Repertoire
All students must perform two pieces:
- One piece of the student's choice (performed from memory, without repeats)
- Piano: One solo piece of the student's choice
- Violin: One fast movement from any concerto
- One piece from the required repertoire list (music allowed)
Applications
- Submit a PDF of the solo part for your chosen piece (not the required repertoire). It must be a clean, unmarked scan.
- The application fee is $60 and is non-refundable. Payable via PayPal on our website.
- All applications must be submitted online through our website "Apply" page.
Video Submission Guidelines
- Make two videos: one for the required repertoire (Korean piece) and one for your chosen piece.
- Upload each video separately through our application form.
- Label each video with the student’s name, division, and title of the piece.
Format:first_last_division_title(e.g.,john_doe_senior_arirang.mp4) - No time limits on recordings.
- No editing or enhancements of any kind. Audio and video must be recorded simultaneously. No external microphones.
- Upload videos to YouTube only. Set privacy to unlisted. Do not set to private or public.
- Video framing:
- Record horizontally
- Show full height of performer. Camera must remain stationary.
- Piano contestants: Place the camera on the student’s right side.
- Repertoire-specific instructions:
- Korean piece: Sheet music may be used; repeats must be observed.
- Chosen piece: Must be memorized; repeats should be omitted.
- Submit a PDF of the solo part for your chosen piece (clean, unmarked copy).
- Application fee: $60 payable on our website via PayPal.
- Previous first-place winners may not compete again in the same division.
- Videos will be downloaded, anonymized, and re-uploaded (unlisted) to our internal judging platform. Names will be revealed to judges only after results are determined.
- Click here to learn how to upload a video to YouTube.
Submission Tips
- No need to record in a studio. Use your best available equipment—smartphone, tablet, webcam, camcorder, etc.
- Use a tripod or stand. Keep the camera steady throughout the performance.
- Use mobile scanning apps to create a single PDF from photos of your music. We recommend Adobe Scan (free for iOS / Android).
Sponsoring Organizations
- Illinois Arts Council Agency
- DB Kim Jun-Ki Foundation
- Seoul National University Alumni Association in Chicago
- BISCO Foundation
If you have any questions, please email us at SejongMusicCompetition@gmail.com