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

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

1. No age or nationality restrictions
2. 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

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

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

7. Video Submission Guidelines

1. For downloaded files: Upload the video file to Google Drive and share the link on your online application form.
2. 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.
3. No audio or video editing is allowed.
4. 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.
5. Performances must be at least 3 minutes in length.
6. Do not include your name on the video screen.
7. The preliminary audition piece submitted will be used as the finalist's performance piece.
8. Reptation and Da Capo part could be omitted.
9. Videos should be recorded less than 1 year from the date of announcement.

8. Additional Notes

1. Proof of visual impairment must be an officially recognized document such as a welfare card (for Koreans) or a certificate (for foreigners).
2. The contact information of a guardian must be provided for smooth guidance of visually impaired artists.
3. Except for pianos and vocals, participants must bring their own instruments.
4. Participants must prepare scores for the pieces they will perform during the competition, and they must be officially published scores.
5. The organizer is not responsible for issues related to participants' scores, such as unauthorized use.
6. 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.
7. 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