FAQ

The NTD International Violin Competition stands out for its dedication to preserving the great violin masterpieces of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic periods. Through its unique commissioned work using traditional Chinese melodies on the violin, finalists’ opportunity to perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, and global exposure through livestreaming, the competition offers musicians a chance to grow artistically while contributing to the revitalization of traditional arts and culture.

• Gold Award: US$10,000 (1 winner)
• Silver Award: US$6,000 (1 winner)
• Bronze Award: US$3,000 (1 winner)
• Best Rendition of the Commissioned Composition: US$3,000 (1 winner)

Beyond the US$22,000 in total cash awards, the media exposure is game-changing. Finalists and award winners receive featured interviews that are broadcast on global television and published across extensive social media networks in multiple languages. This high-level visibility frequently leads to international performance invitations, the growth of a global fanbase, and expanded career opportunities far beyond the competition itself.

Absolutely! This competition leverages a global media network, and the live rounds are broadcast to a potential audience of nearly 230 million across NTD and The Epoch Times platforms. This offers an unparalleled level of international, mainstream media exposure that is unique to our competition.

Yes, earning an invitation to the live rounds in New York City is a significant artistic achievement. All finalists have the opportunity to perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra, have their performances professionally recorded and live-streamed globally. Furthermore, the competition provides a rare opportunity to network with a distinguished jury panel, gain masterclass-level insights, and connect with like-minded peers from around the world.

Violinists of all nationalities and cultural backgrounds born between September 17, 1998, and September 16, 2011, are eligible to participate.

Yes! The NTD International Violin Competition is a truly global event welcoming violinists of all nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Your core repertoire will focus entirely on the European classical tradition (Baroque, Classical, and Romantic). While the unique Commissioned Composition features traditional Chinese melodies, it is expertly arranged for the Western violin to ensure its subtle expressiveness, universal message of hope can be understood and expressed by any classically trained violinist.

The competition is scheduled for September 16–26, 2027. Additional schedule details will be announced.

The online application form, application videos, and all required materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 16, 2027. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applicants will be notified by email of their acceptance status no later than July 8, 2027.

International contestants are responsible for obtaining the travel documents and visas required to enter the United States. Qualified contestants may request an invitation letter from the Organizing Committee. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and consult the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

All competition repertoire must be performed from memory, including the Commissioned Composition, except for the Beethoven or Brahms sonata with piano in the Preliminary Round. During the live competition, all repertoire must be performed without repeats; indicated repeats, including da capo and dal segno instructions, are to be disregarded.

No. Once submitted, repertoire may not be changed unless the Organizing Committee requires a change.

Contestants must prepare all four sections:

• (A) One Paganini Caprice from Op. 1;
• (B) One complete J.S. Bach Partita—No. 1, 2, or 3—from which the jury will select two movements;
• (C) One complete Beethoven or Brahms sonata from the listed works, from which the jury will select two movements; Selected movements will be announced three days before the performance date.
• (D) One melodic encore piece in the Romantic style.

Semi-finalists must prepare:

• (A) One complete Mozart Violin Concerto—No. 3, 4, or 5—to be performed with piano;
• (B) One virtuosic Romantic showpiece of the contestant’s choice, 8–15 minutes long; Pieces that meet the requirements above but may exceed the 15-minute limit during a performance, including Faust Fantasy and Chausson Poème, will also be accepted.
• (C) The Commissioned Composition, performed from memory.

Finalists must perform one complete concerto with orchestra:

• Beethoven – violin concerto in D major, Op. 61
• Brahms – violin concerto in D major, Op. 77
• Mendelssohn – violin concerto in E minor, Op. 64
• Sibelius – violin concerto in D minor, Op. 47
• Tchaikovsky – violin concerto in D major, Op. 35

Yes. Contestants must bring original scores for all works, including the piano parts, and be prepared to provide full scores to the Organizing Committee and pianists for all rounds.

The NTD International Violin Competition is honored to receive permission from the world-renowned composer and Artistic Director of Shen Yun Performing Arts, Mr. D.F., to select and adapt one of his celebrated works as the Commissioned Composition for solo violin.

The Organizing Committee will email it to all qualified contestants six weeks before the Semi-Final Round.

Yes. It must be performed from memory in the Semi-Final Round.

Yes. One contestant will receive the Best Rendition Award of the Commissioned Composition, valued at US$3,000.

Listening to Shen Yun’s original compositions can help violinists understand the stylistic characteristics, melodic patterns, and expressive nuances of traditional Chinese music. It also offers insight into the cultural expressions and musical traditions that shape this repertoire, helping performers develop a more informed and authentic interpretation.

Submit the online application form and all required materials through https://reg.ntd.com/en/?for=violin by June 16, 2027. The package must include the completed application form, a legal guardian’s signature if the applicant is under 18, a recent high-resolution color headshot (300 dpi or higher), a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID, and the required application videos.

The non-refundable Early Bird fee is US$100 for applications submitted by March 16, 2027. The Standard fee is US$150 for applications submitted by June 16, 2027. Applications cannot be processed without payment.

Submit three separate sections in order:

• (A) One Paganini Caprice from Op. 1;
• (B) One paired set of movements from a J.S. Bach solo sonata—
  • Adagio and Fuga from the Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001
  • Grave and Fuga from the Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003
  • Adagio and Fuga from the Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005
• (C) The first movement of the concerto selected for the Final Round.
  • Beethoven—Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
  • Brahms—Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
  • Mendelssohn—Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
  • Sibelius—Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
  • Tchaikovsky—Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35

Yes. All written repeats are required for the Paganini Caprice and the selected Bach movements in the application videos. This differs from the live competition rounds, in which repeats are omitted.

Application videos must be submitted as YouTube links, including concerto performances recorded with an orchestra or ensemble.

Each performance must be a single, continuous, unedited take with no audio or video post-production. A visible, continuously running clock or timer must remain clearly in frame for the entire recording. The applicant’s hands and face must always be visible, and the same camera angle must be used throughout.

Yes. Submit each piece as a separate video file and label it in English as: Last Name_First Name_Title of the Piece. If several pieces were recorded in one session, the session may be divided into separate files; however, the two Bach movements must be performed continuously in one take and submitted as one file.

Recordings must have been made within the 12 months before submission. Live performances with an orchestra or ensemble are acceptable if the soloist is always clearly audible and visible. Tutti cuts are acceptable in all works.

Yes. The application-video Paganini Caprice may be performed again in the Preliminary Round, and the concerto selected for the application video will be performed again if the contestant reaches the Final Round.

The jury is appointed by the NTD International Violin Competition Organizing Committee and comprises world-class violinists and established violin educators. The jury decisions are final.

Yes. Each contestant will be assigned a pianist at no additional cost. However, contestants may bring their own pianist if they prefer, but costs must be covered by the contestant.

Yes. All finalists will have the opportunity to work and perform with the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra.

Contestants must wear elegant conservative concert attire. Female contestants are required to wear a full-length gown.

No. Traveling and lodging expenses are the contestant’s responsibility. However, the Organizing Committee will recommend New York hotels and practice facilities to all qualified contestants in the live rounds of the competition.

Yes. Awards must be accepted in person. Absence from the Award Ceremony constitutes forfeiture of the award and prize.

New Tang Dynasty Television (NTD) was founded in New York in 2001. It is the world’s first global, independent, non-profit Chinese-language television news and entertainment network established by overseas Chinese. NTD began satellite broadcasting in North America in February 2002, then expanded its 24/7 programming to Asia, Europe, and Australia in July 2003. Headquartered in New York City, NTD is internationally recognized for extensive cultural and entertainment programs that blend the best of Eastern and Western cultures, as well as for objective, timely reporting on economic, political, and cultural stories in Chinese.

NTD also produces content in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more. Across satellite, cable, over-the-air broadcasts, streaming platforms, and magazines, NTD connects with around 100 million viewers worldwide. The network also reaches more than 70 million followers across YouTube, X, Facebook, and other social platforms.

Beyond broadcasting, NTD is proud to organize the world’s largest international cultural competitions and events. Since 2007, it has launched a global series of competitions designed to promote and revive world and Chinese traditional culture and arts through large-scale, high-quality cultural programs and major events. This cultural platform—spanning Classical Chinese Dance, Vocal, Han Couture Design, Chinese Culinary, Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, Violin, Piano, Oil Painting, Photography, and Beauty Pageant—advances cultural exchange between East and West and helps audiences worldwide better understand the essence of traditional Chinese and Western culture: authenticity, goodness, and beauty.

NTD has also been the media sponsor for Shen Yun Performing Arts, the world’s premier classical Chinese dance and music company. As Shen Yun rapidly entered the global mainstream market in just a few short years, NTD, as the exclusive television media sponsor, made an indelible contribution by broadcasting Shen Yun’s artistic essence and cultural values to audiences around the world.

No. By applying, contestants agree to the competition’s rules and terms. The organizer reserves the right to livestream, broadcast, record, televise, film, and publicize competition performances, and NTD is entitled to the copyrights of text, audio, visual, and video products made during the competition.

It depends on the nationality of the winner.

No tax will be withheld for prize winners who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Winners must complete a W-9 form, which will be kept on file with NTD. This form provides the necessary information for issuing a 1099-MISC to the winner. It is the winner’s responsibility to report this income to the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and file the income tax accordingly.

If the winner is either a non-resident alien in the U.S. or a citizen from another country, he or she must complete a W-8 form and the cash prize is subject to a 30% tax withholding requirement. The winner will receive IRS Form 1042-S from NTD, reporting U.S. source income by foreign persons.

However, depending on the winner’s country of residence, an exception to the withholding tax may apply if the U.S. has a tax treaty with that country.

Contestants must follow the arrangements of the Organizing Committee. The Committee may revoke eligibility and prizes if a contestant violates the rules. The Organizing Committee has sole and final authority to interpret the rules and regulations and may revise them as necessary without prior notice.

Email: violin@ntd.com
Hotline: 1-855-561-0888
Mailing address: The NTD International Violin Competition, 129 W 29th Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001 USA