US New Star Strings Competition

Rules and Application Instructions

Please read the following information thoroughly before filling out the application. Failure to comply with the following rules may result in disqualification. The US New Star Strings Competition will be held via .mp4 video file submissions. To apply, fill out the application form via the “Apply” button. Application forms must be filled out clearly and completely.

Applicants must select the correct age group on the application form that corresponds to their age as of November 30, 202e. The grouping are as follows:

◦ Applicants must prepare two solo string pieces of contrasting styles
◦ The piece must be memorized.
◦ There is no time limit.

◦ The music recording must be clear and free of background noise.
◦ The side of the applicant’s face must be visible in the frame. Both hands must also be visible in the frame.
◦ The submitted video may not be used for any purposes except for submission in the competition.
◦ The video may not be edited.
◦ Each piece should be recorded in a single continuous take.
◦ The video should be recorded by a single camera.
All recordings sent will not be returned and will be the sole property of US New Star Music, LLC. US New Star Music, LLC reserves the right to post the winners and their videos to the Internet.

All application forms, fees, and audition videos must be submitted no later than November 7, 2023 to be considered. The entry fee for each category is $75. An early discount of $10 per application is available if the application form, all fees, and the video are submitted prior to September 30, 2023, and a late fee of $20 per song applies if the application, fees, or video is submitted after October 30, 2023.

Application fees must be paid through the online application form via credit card payment (linked below). All application fees are non-refundable.

If applicants are missing application form information or choose to change their music or any application form information, they must resend the application form with all changes and resubmit the audition video if there is a change in music. Any missing fees should be sent in as well.

If any of the above changes are made, applicants must submit an application change form (linked below) in addition to the changed application form or video. An additional re-entry processing fee of $20 must be enclosed with the form.

Applicants may submit their videos through Google Drive, YouTube, WeTransfer, or some video or file sharing platform. All videos must be in .mp4 file format or uploaded online. An audio only file will not be accepted, and an application change request must be submitted, along with its respective form and fee. Each video file or title of the video should be named ‘2023 Strings Audition Video: (Applicant Name): (Composer Name)’. There will be a form field requesting for the link to the video in the online application form.

If submitted through Google Drive, the videos must be shared with competition@usnsmc.org and titled ‘2023 Strings Audition Video: (Applicant Name): (Composer Name)’.

If applicants choose to share their videos by e-mail, the files must be sent to competition@usnsmc.org. Applicants must change the subject of the e-mail to ‘2023 Strings Audition Video: (Applicant Name)’.

The winners of the US New Star Strings Competition will be announced on usnsmc.org by December 14, 2024. The adjudicators will be professional musician(s), unaffiliated with US New Star Music, LLC (you may visit their bios in the link below). Adjudicator(s) will select winners for each age group. Decisions of the adjudicator(s) are final.

The winners and their videos will be posted on the US New Star Music Competition website. Winners will be announced for each category for each age group. Judges comments will be email out by the end of the year.

For US Applicants: The winners of the US New Star Strings Competition will each receive a certificate, and the First Prize winners will receive a cash prize of $100 per Age Group. Certificates and cash prizes will be sent by December 28, 2023 to the addresses of the applicants’ teachers.

For international entries: First Prize Winners cash prize will max out as a refund to your credit card with entry fee, as we have eliminate international processing/mailing fee. A pdf winners certificate will be email to you along with the judges comments. If you must demand a physical certificate, due to unpredictable mail situation and postage prices of international mail, international winners would need to pay $75 to cover for the certified mail($68), credit card and processing fee($7) of the physical certificate.