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

General Information and Regulations:​​

1. 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. 
2. 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.
3. 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. 
4. If any documents are in languages other than English, they should be translated into English. 

 

• Application Procedure:

1. All contestants must complete and submit the 2023 Bella Music Foundation International Music Competition Application. 2023 Application Form
2. Application deadline: October 31, 2023 
3. 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.
4. 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.

                

1. 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.

 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Bella Music Foundation Inc. reserves the right to the interpretation of the Terms and Conditions of the Regulations.
5. 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: 

1. An official identification document or a copy of your passport 
2. A confirmation document of legal blindness
3. A copy of the music
4. An artistic résumé
5. A headshot or a photo that shows your face
6. 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) ​