General Information
Little Mozarts is an annual music competition, open to Junior, Intermediate, and Advanced levels for all instrumentalists, vocalists, and duets. The 2025 competition will be held from February till June 2025. We will be holding competitions in various locations.
This unique juried music competition for 3-14 years old gives young children the opportunity to perform and receive their first applause.
Little Mozarts competition aims to encourage and motivate young musicians and make music a more significant part of their life.
REGISTRATION FOR LITTLE MOZARTS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION 2025 WILL BE OPEN IN FEBRUARY 2025.
The competition consists of two rounds:
Audition (the first round) and Performance (the second round, the Winners’ Recital), as described below.
Audition Requirements (First round)
Students may enter the competition more than once (performing on different instruments or as vocalists, or as a member on ensemble).
To enter the competition, applicants must choose from either live (in-person) audition or video submission.
Contestants must select one composition from the following musical periods:
- Baroque
- Classical
- Romantic
- Contemporary
- Jazz and pop music
- Broadway
(eg. One movement of Sonata, Sonatina, or Concerto, one selection from Partita, Suite, or any ordered set of pieces are considered as one piece.)
- Little Mozarts Competition accepts simplified and arrangement versions for beginners.
- Declared repertoire should be the same on both rounds of the competition. By this being said, applicant should perform the same piece on the audition and the recital.
- Performance length is strictly limited to 6 minutes. If the duration of the performance (live, or video submission) exceeds the allotted time limit, applicant may be disqualified and application may be treated as null and void. Judges reserve the right to terminate performance when the allotted time limit is exceeded.
- During the performance, repeat signs and “Primo volta” (first endings) should not be performed.
- Compositions must be performed from memory.
- All contestants must wear formal attire.
- On the Live, In-person audition music score and evaluation form must be furnished to the judge.
- Instrumentalists and vocalists on the audition may perform solo w/o accompaniment (what is permitted, but not advised). But, accompaniment is required for Winners’ recital.
- Performers may use prerecorded accompaniment during the first round of the competition. Note: It is the contestant’s responsibility for having proper music player on the audition.
- Audition results will be uploaded to the applicants account on the competition site.
- Applicant should apply to the Second round of the competition (Winners’ recital) only after Audition result is posted on the account.
Video submission requirements & instructions
- Submissions must contain the applicant’s name and complete title of the performing piece.
- Recordings must be performed in one continuous stream without edits or alterations.
- The performer’s entire body should be clearly visible throughout the duration of the recording.
- No music sheets, books or additional materials should be on the music stand.
- Videos should be submitted through YouTube following the instructions below. Other platforms won’t be accepted.
- Performers and accompanists should be dressed professionally. Casual attire and/or sportswear is not permitted.
- YouTube links must have the proper settings (as described below):
Video manager → Videos → Basic info → from the drop-down menu, please choose “Public” or “Unlisted” (do not choose “Private”).
Evaluation and scoring
- On the Live Audition music score and evaluation form must be furnished to the judge.
- Judges reserve the right to terminate a performance at any time, or if the allotted time limit is exceeded.
- Solo performances (without accompaniment) for instrumentalists and vocalists during the audition is permitted but not advised.
- Performers may use prerecorded accompaniment during the first round of the competition. *It is the contestant’s responsibility for having proper music player on the audition.
- Based on the performance Judges assigned a score that determines contestant’s placement. Evaluation also includes written comments and recommendations. The score and the placement given by the judges are final.
- Audition result will be uploaded to the applicants account on the competition website. Applicant should apply to the Second round, Winners’ recital as Audition result is shown on the account.
Winners’ recital Requirements (Second round)
- Participants may only perform one composition during the Winner’s Recital. This should be the same composition presented earlier on the first round. Any changes must be confirmed with the competition coordinator at info@crescendocompetition.org and crescendo_school@yahoo.com (eg. one movement of Sonata, Sonatina, or Concerto, one selection from Partita, Suite, or any ordered set of pieces are considered as one piece).
- Performance duration is strictly limited to 6 minutes. Repeat signs and “Primo volta” (first endings) should not be performed.
- If the duration of the performance (live, video submission or competition) exceeds the allotted time limit of 6 min, applicants may be disqualified and their application may be treated as null and void.
- Compositions must be performed from memory.
- Scoring/placement awarded during the first round of the competition may be subject to changed (improvement/remediation) during the second round, pending performance quality. Decisions on monetary rewards are based on accumulated audition score, composition complexity and contestant’s artistic maturity. Rewards might be suspended due to poor performance.
- Students who do not participate in the Second Round will be considered withdrawn from the competition and will not receive a certificate.
- Registration for the Winners’ Recital will be closed 14 days prior to the recital. Payments after this period will not be accepted.
- All payments are final. The recital fees and tickets are not refundable.
- There are limited slots available, and performers are registered on a first come, first served basis.
- Performers and accompanists should be dressed professionally. Casual attire and/or sportswear is not permitted.
- Certificates and prizes will be distributed at the conclusion of the recital and will not be sent by mail.
- Important: Recital won’t be rescheduled to another date and recital fee won’t be credited in any circumstances.
- Performers with time restrictions due to travel arrangements, health issues and any other concerns should notify the competition coordinator prior to the recital regarding necessary arrangements and/or early dismissal.
- Failure to comply with Crescendo Competitions and/or Carnegie Hall regulation will results in immediate disqualification, certificate and/or prize forfeiture.
A participant may qualify to perform at the Winners’ recital more than once as a soloist or a member of an ensemble. Each recital performance will be billed separately.
To recognize outstanding teachers we proudly announce Teacher Appreciation Awards 2025:
- “Teacher of the Year”
- “Certificate of Excellence”
- “Crescendo Adjudicator”
- “Best Teacher”
Crescendo Competitions is a non- profit organization which operates exclusively for educational purposes and students who have participated in Crescendo International Competition for five (5) years may qualify for a Letter of Recommendation for College/ University. Letters of Recommendation from Crescendo International Competition are accepted at various Colleges and Universities across US.