The 2025 Competition is open to all instruments, voice, and chamber ensembles. We encourage unique chamber ensemble combinations.

Please note: CAG represents solo singers for recitals, chamber music, and orchestral engagements only, not for opera.

Competition age limits as of January 31, 2025:
Solo instrumentalists: 28 (born on or after Feb 1, 1996)
Solo singers: 30 (born on or after Feb 1, 1994)
Ensembles must have an average age of no more than 30 as of January 31, 2025.
No member of the ensemble may be over the age of 35.

• Ensembles should have been in existence with the same membership since at least January 31, 2023 (2 years prior to the competition deadline) and there should be no plans for personnel change.

Applicants with Management:

• Instrumentalists and ensembles with any form of commercial national or North American management are not eligible to apply. Applicants under international management must supply a letter of recommendation from their manager.

• Singers with North American management who wish to perform recitals, chamber music, and orchestral engagements through CAG are eligible to apply. Submit a statement with your application confirming that your manager grants management rights to CAG for concert engagements if you should win the competition.

Applications to CAG and Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT), our partner organization in London, in the same year will not be considered.

• Information about you and your musical background

• 2 programs that you would be ready to perform in the 2025-2026 season that reflect your interests and goals as a musician. Please include a title and description for each program and follow this template. (click here for the pdf version)

• A link to a YouTube video of at least 45 minutes of music demonstrating a variety of repertoire as well as the range and scope of your artistry, including a work by a living composer. Note: audio must be unedited, video may be edited, can be one video or playlist

  • The video(s) does not need to be from a concert performance

  • The video(s) must have been recorded no earlier than January 31, 2022 (3 years before the application deadline)

  • Include only complete movements or complete works (no excerpts). Concerti with piano accompaniment may be included

• Supplemental materials, if required (i.e., a management letter if you are under international management)

• At least 60 minutes of video. Repertoire must include a work by a living composer. Soloists must include one movement of a concerto with either piano accompaniment or orchestra.

  • Repertoire from the preliminary round may be repeated in the semifinal round, but it is highly encouraged that applicants submit new repertoire

• All applicants are highly encouraged to include a work that is unique to their culture or heritage, represents their values, or with which they have a personal connection

• Website and social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube is required

• Semifinalists will submit a short video (up to 90 seconds) introducing themselves and responding to provided prompts

• A description of a sample educational or community engagement program geared toward elementary school students

• Name, email address, and phone number of 3 references who are active music professionals, and who can speak to semifinalist's preparedness for CAG and a concert career

• The final round will take place in person in New York City and consist of an uninterrupted recital program approximately 15 minutes in length. Repertoire must include a work by a living composer.

• Program can include complete works or movements from larger works

• Finalists must introduce themselves and speak briefly about their program to the audience

• Repertoire from the preliminary and semifinal rounds may be repeated in the final round  

• Finalists will participate in an online interview with CAG staff

• The finals jury consists of musicians, presenters, composers, and conductors working across diverse roles in the music field (View our 2025 Jury here)

• Finalists will submit a video (up to 60 seconds) introducing themselves, their musical goals and activities, and any extra-musical interests. This video may be broadcast at the finals to esteemed jury and fellow competitors. Consider this your personal trailer!

• Up to 8 finalists will be selected 

• Earlybird fees (December 4, 2024):  
  Soloist: $75 
  Ensemble: $100 
  NB: in order to qualify for the earlybird discount, your application and fee must be submitted and paid by December 4 

• Final deadline fees (January 31, 2025):  
  Soloist: $110 
  Ensemble: $150 

• Applications Open: October 30

• November 13, 2024 at 1:00pm ET : Instagram Live: How to Create a Successful Application, with Tim Mar (Chief Operating Officer, CAG) and cellist Leland Ko (2024 CAG competition winner)
  Note: the conversation will not be archived.

• December 4, 2024: Earlybird deadline
  NB: in order to qualify for the earlybird discount, your application and fee must be submitted and paid by December 4

• January 31, 2025: Final deadline

• March 11, 2025: Semifinals materials deadline

• May 30, 2025: Live Final Round in NYC - The William R. and Irene D. Miller Recital Hall, Manhattan School of Music

• Be genuine - show us your full self, including how you can benefit from working with CAG

• Creativity - show us how you can be thoughtful and creative in how you share your music with your audience

• Show us how you are invested in your own growth

• First impressions count - make sure the first two minutes of your video show your best self

• The panel values quality of playing over professionally produced videos

• Be specific in your answers - what are the different paths you want to explore to develop a sustainable career in music?

• Online presence - Be curious and open to sharing your music in the digital world. Show us that you are proactive in your own career