BMF Int'l Music Competition

Next BMF International Music Competition for the Blind in Fall 2026!

1/24/2025

Next BMF International Music Competition for the Blind in Fall 2026!
The next BMF International Music Competition for the Blind will be open to blind and visually impaired solo musicians of any nationality who, by the application deadline, will be between the ages of 10-18 (Division I: Junior Division) and 19-30 (Division II: Young Artist Division). The competition is open to all classical instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists. More detailed information will be available in Spring 2026.

Bella Music Foundation is co-organizing the 2024 Seoul International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists in South Korea

4/16/2024

2024 Seoul International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists in South Korea

Application Deadline: April 30th (Tue) Online Video Submission (No Application Fee)
Announcement of Finalists: May 3rd (Fri)
Finals & Awards Ceremony: June 6th (Thu) in Seoul, Korea
Winners' Concert: June 8th (Sat) in Seoul, Korea

Fill in the Application Form here: https://forms.gle/zcZVBPYwwjXirrK17

Eligibility: Limited to visually impaired music artists only
1) No age or nationality restrictions
2) Group applications not accepted

Preliminary Audition Repertoire: A free piece of at least 3 minutes

Categories: Piano, String Instruments, Woodwind Instruments, Brass Instruments, Vocal, Traditional Instruments (including Korean traditional instruments)

Prizes: Total performance fee of KRW 20,000,000 and performance opportunities, festival participation tickets, and more.
1st Place: performance fee of KRW 4,000,000, orchestral collaboration
2nd Place: performance fee of KRW 3,500,000, orchestral collaboration
3rd Place: performance fee of KRW 2,500,000, orchestral collaboration
4th to 8th Place: performance fee of KRW 2,000,000 each

Inquiries Regarding Applications: [email protected]
Please find all details about this competition below.

2024 Seoul International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists
www.simbkorea.com
The 2024 Seoul International Music Festival & Art Market for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists aims to provide opportunities for visually impaired artists with exceptional talents to enhance and spread their professional skills while encouraging auditory-centered creative works and cultural exchange activities among artists.
As part of the SIMB Festival & Art Market, the 2024 Seoul International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists is organized to discover talented visually impaired artists globally, and to provide international exchange networks and opportunities to perform on a broader music stage, thereby facilitating communication with audiences.
In the realm of artistic activities, disabilities should not be seen as limitations but rather as unique characteristics that can shine. We hope that many visually impaired artists can come together with their outstanding auditory abilities and passion for music, advancing towards a broader world through networks.

Korean Disabled Performing Arts Association
www.saltandlight.co.kr
Established in January 2010, the Korean Disabled Performing Arts Association strives to convey messages of hope and enable a fulfilling life for visually impaired artists through music.
We expand a wide range of cultural and artistic projects to provide opportunities for everyone, regardless of disabilities, to pursue their dreams through music. We conduct nationwide music concerts targeting various demographics to improve awareness of disabilities, and we endeavor to secure the status of disabled culture and arts through overseas performances.

2024 Seoul International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists
Preliminary Application Guidelines
The 2024 Seoul International Music Competition for Blind andVisually Impaired Artists supports visually impaired musiciansto have more performing arts opportunities in global stages.

Total of 20,000,000(KRW) for performance fee is prepared for the finalists. Also, the finalists will gain the opportunity to perform with an orchestra, and the benefits of participating in mentoring classes with well-known global professors.
Thepreliminary round will be conducted through online evaluations in all categories.
Eligibility: Limited to visually impaired music artists only

No age or nationality restrictions
Group applications not accepted

Categories: Piano, String Instruments, Woodwind Instruments, Brass Instruments, Vocal, Traditional Instruments (including Korean traditional instruments)
Judges: Comprised of prominent domestic and international professors (including from Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, etc.)
Prizes: Total performance fee of KRW 20,000,000 and performance opportunities, festival participation tickets, and more.

1. How to Apply for Preliminary Auditions

Select a free piece, compose a performance of at least 3 minutes, and record it.
Upload the recorded performance file to a personal YouTube channel for partial public viewing or upload it via Google Drive.
Attach the YouTube link or file download link to the application form.

2.Fill in the Application Form
https://forms.gle/zcZVBPYwwjXirrK17
Submit the online application form and required documents through Google Forms.

3. Schedule
Application Deadline: 30th April(Tue) Online Submission
Announcement of Finalists: 3rd May(Fri) Online Announcement and Website Notification
Finals & Awards Ceremony: 6th June(Thu) HanShin University, Graduate School of Theology Chapel Room
Winners' Concert: 8thJune (Sat) Dream Forest Park Concert

4. Participation Fee
Participation is free of charge.

5. Competition Guidelines
Preliminaries
Selection of finalists based on the video files submitted at the time of application.
Announcement of finalists: May 3, 2024 (Friday)
Website announcement (www.simbkorea.com) and individual notification to finalists (via email)

Finals
Schedule and Venue
[Seoul] June 6, 2024 (Thursday) at 10:00 AM, HanShin University Graduate School of Theology, Chapel room
Announcement of finalists and award ceremony will be held immediately after the competition.
※ Note: The pieces performed in the preliminary round and the final competition could be different.

Performance
(Award Winners)
Performance by Winners and finalists
June 8, 2024 (Saturday) Special Stage at Dream Forest in Seoul
Opportunities for domestic and international performances provided for finalists.

6. Prizes for Finalists
Finalists, including 1st to 3rd place winners, will be given opportunities to perform as SIMB Artists, including orchestral collaborations and performance opportunities.
Performing finalists will receive the following performance fees:

1st Place: performance fee of KRW 4,000,000, orchestral collaboration
2nd Place: performance fee of KRW 3,500,000, orchestral collaboration
3rd Place: performance fee of KRW 2,500,000, orchestral collaboration
4th to 8th Place: performance fee of KRW 2,000,000 each
※ Performance fees will not be provided if not performing.
※ All the fees will be paid after deducting taxes according to South Korean tax laws.

Travel expenses and accommodation expenses for the competition are the responsibility of the participants. However, finalists visiting Seoul will be provided with the following benefits:

Free admission to the Seoul International Music Festival & Art Market for Blind Artists
Adequate transportation vouchers
Meals (limited to those provided by the event organizers)

7. Video Submission Guidelines

For downloaded files: Upload the video file to Google Drive and share the link on your online application form.
For YouTube links: Ensure the YouTube link is not set to private, ensure there are no issues with sound in partial publication, and provide the link on your form.
No audio or video editing is allowed.
The camera angle must remain fixed from start to finish, showing the upper body clearly, including the face, shot frontally. The microphone should be set at an appropriate distance to ensure clear sound recording.
Performances must be at least 3 minutes in length.
Do not include your name on the video screen.
The preliminary audition piece submitted will be used as the finalist's performance piece.
Reptation and Da Capo part could be omitted.
Videos should be recorded less than 1 year from the date of announcement.

8. Additional Notes

Proof of visual impairment must be an officially recognized document such as a welfare card (for Koreans) or a certificate (for foreigners).
The contact information of a guardian must be provided for smooth guidance of visually impaired artists.
Except for pianos and vocals, participants must bring their own instruments.
Participants must prepare scores for the pieces they will perform during the competition, and they must be officially published scores.
The organizer is not responsible for issues related to participants' scores, such as unauthorized use.
Foreign participants confirmed for the preliminary finals may need to obtain a Korean visa depending on their country of residence. The relevant documents will be provided by the organizers, and visa application fees will be the responsibility of the participants.
When participating in the finals, Korean participants should bring their own accompanist. However, overseas participants’ accompanist will be provided.

9. Inquiries Regarding Applications
[email protected]

Host:
Seoul International Music Festival for Blind Organizing Committee
Korean Disabled Performing Arts Association

Organizer:
Korean Disabled Performing Arts Association, Bella Music Foundation

Sponsor:
Seoul Metropolitan Government

The winners of the 2023 BMF Int'l Music Competition

11/27/2023

The winners of the 2023 BMF Int'l Music Competition for the Blind:

DIVISION I : Junior Division (10-18)
1st Prize ($1,500) winner: Laura Parra Muñoz - Piano (Spain)
2nd Prize ($1,000) winner: Haowen Deng - Piano (China)
3rd Prize ($500) winner: Iolanta Mamatkazina – Voice (USA)
Honorable Mention: Logan Riman - Piano (USA)

DIVISION II : Young Artist Division (19-30)
1st Prize ($4,000) winner: Guillem León - Piano (Spain)
2nd Prize ($2,000) winner: Julia LaGrand - Violin (USA)
3rd Prize ($1,000) winner: Bohee Kim (S. Korea)
Honorable Mention: Ying-Shan Tseng – Piano (S. Africa)

*Dancing Dots' accessible music notation software was awarded to the winners as well.

Here is a captivating photo capturing our winners on stage, holding instruments and certificates, all smiles alongside our esteemed jury members:

JURY CHAIR: Thomas Muraco, Orchestra Conductor, Pianist, and Vocal Coach
College Faculty, Manhattan School of Music
JURY: Xiao Wang, violinist
College Faculty, Manhattan School of Music
JURY: Mira Kim, pianist
Chief Executive Officer, Bella Music Foundation

Announcing the Finalists of the 2023 BMF International Music Competition

11/6/2023

Thank you to all the contestants who participated in the 2023 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually Impaired! It's truly remarkable that we had such an impressive number of exceptionally talented musicians from various parts of the world. These included the United States of America, Australia, Spain, South Korea, China, Croatia, South Africa, Colombia, Mexico, and New Zealand for this year's 2023 BMF International Music Competition. Each contestant exhibited remarkable talent and thorough preparation, making the preliminary round process highly competitive. We are pleased to announce the names of the finalists of the 2023 BMF International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually Impaired, listed alphabetically.

DIVISION I : AGES 10 - 18
Haowen Deng - Piano (China)
Iolanta Mamatkazina – Voice (USA)
Laura Parra Muñoz - Piano (Spain)
Logan Riman - Piano (USA)

DIVISION II : AGES 19 - 30
Bohee Kim – Cello (S. Korea)
Guillem León Vivas - Piano (Spain)
Julia LaGrand - Violin (USA)
Ying-Shan Tseng – Piano (S. Africa)

The Finalists' Concert is scheduled to take place on November 25, 2023, at 7:45 PM, at Marc A. Scorca Hall (330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA), and will be open to the public. The next BMF Music Competition is planned for 2025.

2023 BMF International Music Competition for The Blind and Visually Impaired - General Information and Regulations

7/17/2023

General Information and Regulations:

The Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition is open to any blind and visually impaired solo musician of any nationality who, on the application deadline, will be ages 10-18 (Division I: Junior Division) and ages 19-30 (Division II: Young Artist Division) and who will comply with all other conditions specified below. The competition is open to all classical instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists.
First Prize Winners from the previous BMF Competition are not eligible to participate in the same Division for the next competition. However, if the winner is applying for a higher division, it is allowed.
The crucial eligibility condition is fulfilled when a candidate complies with the rating of visually impaired and/or blindness as applies in his/her country of origin. The visually impaired and /or blindness condition should be attested by an enclosed medical certificate.
If any documents are in languages other than English, they should be translated into English.

Application Procedure:

All contestants must complete and submit the 2023 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition Application. 2023 Application Form
Application deadline: October 31, 2023
At registration, an entrant is required to submit an official identification document, a confirmation document of legal blindness, a copy of the music, an artistic résumé, a headshot, and a link to a video of their performance. Submitted materials will not be returned.
Application fee: $80 USD (non-refundable). PayPal Link for the Application Fee

Competition Procedure:

1. Auditions
1) Preliminary Round: Recorded Video Audition
All contestants must submit a link to a video of their performance (maximum 15 minutes) on YouTube or another video sharing service via the application form by October 31, 2023.
Video submissions must be in one continuous shot, without edits. The contestant’s face and hands must be clearly visible throughout the recording. The video must be filmed within 6 months of submission and must comply with all specifications mentioned above.
* The finalists will be notified by email and announced on the website on November 6, 2023 at 1PM EST.

2) Final Round: Live Audition at the Finalists' Concert on November 25, 2023 at 7:45 PM
@ Marc A. Scorca Hall (330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 in USA)

A total of 6 to 8 finalists, with 3 to 4 from Division I and 3 to 4 from Division II, will be invited to the final round, which will take place as a live Finalists' Concert. Each finalist's performance will be strictly limited to 10 minutes. All finalists are required to perform with an accompanist if applicable. They are responsible for covering their own travel costs to and from the Finalists' Concert venue. However, BMF will provide an official pianist at no cost. If a finalist chooses to bring their own accompanist, they will be responsible for any accompanying expenses. A short rehearsal will be scheduled before each performance, and the final round repertoire should be the same as the preliminary round. The Finalists' Concert will be recorded, and BMF will retain the rights to the video. The Winners will be announced on the same day as the Finalists' Concert, right after the judges make their final decision. A ceremony to honor the winners will follow the announcement.

Cash Awards: All instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists compete together, and there will be three prizes per Division. Cash prizes will be awarded by check. If the winner lives outside of the USA, BMF will transfer the cash prize to the winner’s account. The wire transfer fee will be deducted from the cash prize.

Division I: Junior Division (10-18)

First Prize: 1,500 USD & Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software (Price: $1,595)*
Second Prize: 1,000 USD & Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software (Price: $1,595)*
Third Prize: 500 USD & Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software (Price: $1,595)*
2.  Division II: Young Artist Division (19-30)
First Prize: 4,000 USD & Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software (Price: $1,595)*
Second Prize: 2,000 USD & Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software (Price: $1,595)*
Third Prize: 1,000 USD & Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software (Price: $1,595)*

Audition Repertoire: One piece from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary era must be chosen and performed. * Arrangements, simplified editions, popular music and/or non-classical music from method books are not acceptable. No changes in the submitted repertoire may be made once a contestant is admitted. No repeats are allowed at the audition performances.
Composition Contestants should provide a link to a video or audio recording of their original composition (Max.15 min) on YouTube or another video or audio sharing service, a score in PDF format and a note about the music via the application form by October 31, 2023. An acoustic recording is preferable, but a MIDI rendering is acceptable.

The judges are appointed by BMF in accordance with registered disciplines/musical instruments. The judges’ debates as well as performance ratings are confidential and will not be made public. Judge decisions are final with no provision for appeals.
Each performance is recorded by request of the judges, and Bella Music Foundation Inc. reserves the rights to photograph or record video of the contestants and winners and to use these for presentation purposes without additional fees paid to the contestants.
A copy of one of Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software products (Price: $1,595), donated by Dancing Dots, will be awarded to the winners. Blind performers will receive the GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator suite and performers with low vision will receive the Lime Lighter suite. *Please note that the winners will need to supply their own hardware for running Dancing Dots’ software. It requires a Windows PC. Lime Lighter also requires the AirTurn QUAD 4-switch wireless pedal board. If the winner already has Dancing Dots’ software but has an outdated version, Dancing Dots will supply a free upgrade. If the winner has the latest version already, Dancing Dots can give the winner a free upgrade to the next paid version. Since 1992, Dancing Dots has been the company that enables visually impaired musicians to independently read, write and record their music. See www.DancingDots.com for more information.
Bella Music Foundation Inc. reserves the right to the interpretation of the Terms and Conditions of the Regulations.
Bella Music Foundation Inc. reserves the right to make necessary changes as circumstances dictate.

Questions about the rules? Please email [email protected] or call 1-551-255-0570 - Bella Music Foundation Inc. www.bellamf.org
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Application Checklist

Submit the 2023 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition Application online with the following:

An official identification document or a copy of your passport
A confirmation document of legal blindness
A copy of the music
An artistic résumé
A headshot or a photo that shows your face
A link to a video of your performance on YouTube, or another video sharing service

*If any documents are in languages other than English, they should be translated into English.

Pay the $80 application fee. PayPal Link for the Application Fee

Important Dates:
10/31/23 Application Deadline @11:59PM EST
10/31/23 Preliminary Round Video submission Deadline @11:59PM EST
11/06/23 Finalists announced @1PM EST
11/25/23 Final Round: Live Audition at the Finalists' Concert @7:45 PM EST
@ Marc A. Scorca Hall (330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001 in USA)

BMF Winners’ Concert reviewed by New York Concert Review / Watch BMF Winners' Concert Highlights

9/10/2022

Congratulations to all the winners again!
The BMF Winners’ Concert in NYC on Sep. 3rd, 2022 was very successful and has been well reviewed by New York Concert Review Inc. Highlights from the concert will be available on our website in the near future. Below are some parts from the review, but you can read the whole article at BMF International Music Competition for the Blind Winners’ Concert in Review | New York Concert Review, Inc.

Bella’s mission statement is: “supporting musically talented individuals and schools for the blind by presenting opportunities for world-class education in classical music.” Judging from these talented performers, it is a resounding success.
All took the stage for the official presentation of the prizes. The audience, naturally, was wild with ovation for everyone.
Bella’s motto is: “In every note there is hope.” I’d venture to add, even more than hope: realization, the ultimate achievement.
- by Frank Daykin for New York Concert Review; New York, NY

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us to make this event possible. We hope you will consider donating to our cause so more blind musicians can find their “ultimate achievement”.
Donate to Bella Music Foundation

Watch the 2020 BMF Int'l Music Competition for the Blind Winners' Highlights

3/5/2021

2020 BMF Int'l Music Competition for the Blind
Winners' Highlights

Division I

Julia LaGrand, USA, Division I, 1st Prize
Violin Sonata No. 2, movement 1, "Obsession" by Eugène Ysaÿe

Ryan Maxwell, USA, Division I, 2nd Prize
Rhapsody Op. 79, No. 2 by Johannes Brahms

Sihu Hwang, S. Korea, Division I, 3rd Prize
Piano Sonata Op.49, No.2, 1st mvt. by Ludwig van Beethoven

Laura Parra Muñoz, Spain, Division I, Encouragement Award
A la amiga by Ricardo Lamotte de Grignón

Division II

Fernando Apan, Mexico, Division II, Encouragement Award
Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 by Frédéric Chopin

Guillem León, Spain, Division II, 3rd Prize
Prelude Op. 23, No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Mackenzie Jacquemin, USA, Division II, 2nd Prize
Ach, ich fühl's from Die Zauberflöte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Jisun Kim, S. Korea, Division II, 1st Prize
Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 by Pablo de Sarasate

2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually Impaired Winners

12/25/2020

Thank you all finalists for participating in the 2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition and congratulations on making it as a finalist! With a large number of very musically talented contestants from all over the world including the United States of America, Australia, Spain, South Korea, Colombia, Mexico and New Zealand, our 2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually impaired was very successful and the final round was extremely competitive. Our 2020 competition jury, Dr. Julia Bullard (Head Judge), Mr. Hyong Jo, and Ms. Mira Kim, was touched by everyone’s beautiful music and wishes them all the best in their musical careers. Special thanks to Dancing Dots, Seong Min Kim & Youn Suk Lee, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, and our head judge, Dr. Julia Bullard!

The winners of the 2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition:

DIVISION I : Junior Division (10-18)
1st Prize: $600 / 2nd Prize: $400 / 3rd Prize: $300
* Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software will be awarded to the winners.

1st Prize winner: Julia LaGrand - Violin (USA)
2nd Prize winner: Ryan Maxwell - Piano(USA)
3rd Prize winner: Sihu Hwang - Piano (S. Korea)
Encouragement Award winner: Laura Parra Muñoz - Piano (Spain)

DIVISION II : Young Artist Division (19-30)
1st Prize: $2,000 / 2nd Prize: $1,000 / 3rd Prize: $500
* Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software will be awarded to the winners.

1st Prize winner: Jisun Kim - Violin (S. Korea)
2nd Prize winner: Mackenzie Jacquemin - Voice (USA)
3rd Prize winner: Guillem León - Piano (Spain)
Encouragement Award winner: Fernando Apan - Piano (Mexico)

2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually impaired - Finalists

11/19/2020

Thank you to all the contestants who entered the 2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually impaired! Amazingly, we had a large number of very musically talented contestants from all over the world including the United States of America, Australia, Spain, South Korea, Colombia, Mexico and New Zealand for the 2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually impaired this year. Every contestant was very talented and well prepared, so the preliminary round process was highly competitive. We appreciate all of the contestants for their beautiful music and wish them all the best in their musical careers.

Congratulations to the finalists of the 2020 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition for the Blind and Visually impaired!

DIVISION I : AGES 10 - 18
Jaebaek Lee - Piano (South Korea)
Julia LaGrand - Violin (USA)
Laura Parra Muñoz - Piano (Spain)
Madeline Mau - Piano (USA)
Matthew Herrera - Voice (USA)
Ryan Maxwell - Piano (USA)
Sihu Hwang - Piano (South Korea)

DIVISION II : AGES 19 - 30
Daniel Gillen - Composition (USA)
Fernando Apan - Piano (Mexico)
Guillem León - Piano (Spain)
Jeong Woo Lee - Voice (South Korea)
Jisun Kim - Violin (South Korea)
Mackenzie Jacquemin - Voice (USA)
Yookyung Kang - Voice (South Korea)

Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software is added to the cash prizes for 2020 BMF Int'l Music Competition for the Blind. DL:10/31/20

10/18/2020

We are pleased to announce that Dancing Dots’ accessible music notation software, donated by Dancing Dots, will be awarded to the winners along with the cash prizes.
APPLY by October 31st, 2020!
https://www.bellamf.org/bmf-international-music-competition

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