ABOUT US

Art. 1 - Diapason Musical Association presents the 15th "Città di Massa"  International Competition for young musicians, ONLINE  SPRING EDITION.

Art. 2 - The competition is designed for young musicians, solo or ensemble, both male and female, of any nationality.
 
 Art. 3 - To take part to the contest, participants must submit a video recording (the total lenght of the recording should not exceed the time limit set for each cathegory). The video must be posted on YouTube following the instructions at art. 4 and the link should be attached to the application form.

Art. 4 - By submitting the video, the applicant declares its authenticity. Video files must be performed by the applicants and must not be edited in any way, nor should any effects be added,  a fixed video angle is required. If the proposed repertoire includes more than one piece, it is possible to stop the recording between one and another, but no interruptions are allowed between the movements of the same piece and the link to the video must be unique. Can be recorded with any kind of recording device. The applicant's hands, and of the whole ensemble for the chamber music section, should be clearly visible. The title of each video has to report: "Città di Massa" International Music Competition - surname, name (of the performer); the description must include: author and title of the piece. Uploading to YouTube can be done with a "public" video privacy setting (open to anyone) or with an "unlisted" setting (visible to anyone with the link). NO RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO DIAPASON MUSICAL ASSOCIATION IN CASE OF ILLEGITIMATE ATTRIBUTION OR CONTENTS THAT VIOLATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS IN FORCE. 
 
 Art. 5 - It is not required to perform by memory.

Art. 6 - The jury  will be formed by conservatory or academy teachers and  internationally renowned musicians.

Art. 7 - The jury will listen to the whole video submitted by each applicant as long as the recording does not exceed the time limit set for each category. If the length of the submitted video exceeds the time limits, the jury will interrupt the listening. 
 
 Art. 8 - All the jury's decisions are final and irrevocable.

Art. 9 - Results will be published on this website on  May 11, 2026.

Art. 10 - Applicants can take part to more sections in this competition but not to more categories. They can also enrol in a higher category than the expected one for their age but not in a lower one.

Art. 11 - The average age of the group will be considered for the chamber music section.

Art. 12 - The deadline for uploading all videos is April 13, 2026 - 11:59 PM. Videos uploaded after that time will not be considered. 

Art. 13 - Participation in the Winners’ Concert is an integral part of the competition and is free of charge. There will be no compensation or reimbursement for travel, food or accommodation expenses. Such participation does not entail any financial obligation on the part of the organization.

Art. 14 -  Diapason Musical Association informs that personal data provided by each applicant will be processed solely to send information about the association, in accordance to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR) n. 679/2016. Data subjects can exercise the right to rectification, to erasure and to withdraw his or her consent at any time. 
 
 Art. 15 - By applying, participants allow Diapason Musical Association to use their images and videos and upload them on its website or social media. 

Art. 16 - By applying for the competition, participants automatically accept conditions from previous provisions of these rules and any amendment that may occur. The organizers reserve the right to cancel the contest by reason of unforeseeable circumstances, notifying the participants in advance. Only in that case the application fee will be refunded.

 In case of contestations, the Italian text will be legally binding.

 CATEGORIES AND SECTIONS:

Soloists section – Piano, Organ, Harpsichord, Strings, Wind instruments, Guitar, Harp, Percussion, Accordion

Free choice of repertoire, it must not exceed the time limit set for each category. 

Cat. "Prime note" - born from 2019 onwards -  up to 3 minutes

Cat. A - born from 2016 to 2018 -  up to 5 minutes

Cat. B - born from 2014 to 2015 - up to 8 minutes

Cat. C - born from 2012 to 2013 - up to 10 minutes

Cat. D - born from 2009 to 2011 - up to 10 minutes

Cat. E - born from 2004 to 2008 - up to 13 minutes

Cat. F - no age limit - up to 15 minutes
 
Chamber music section (piano 4 hands - duets and small ensembles with/without piano - vocal/instrumental ensambles).

Free choice of repertoire, it must not exceed the time limit set for each category.

Cat. G - born from 2012 onwards - up to 8 minutes

Cat. H - born from 2006 to 2011 - up to 10 minutes

Cat. I -  no age limit - up to 15 minutes

Singers section

Each participant will have to sing two opera arias from 1700 onwards.  

Cat. L - no age limit - up to 15 minutes

PRIZES

 - Competitors who will score at least 100/100 points will be awarded a 1st prize absolute winner diploma and an invitation to partecipate  in the Absolute Winners of the 15th 'Città di Massa' Competition - Online Spring Edition Concert, which will take place in September 2026 at Villa Bertelli in Forte dei Marmi. 
The winner of the Public Prize will receive a Certificate of Recognition titled "Audience Prize - Città di Massa International Music Competition for Young Musicians" along with a €300 cash prize, in recognition of the high level of approval expressed by the audience during the Concert of the Absolute Winners." 

The "Public Prize" will be awarded through a vote by the audience present in the hall. At the end of the performances, each spectator will receive a card to cast a single vote for their preferred contestant. The cards will be collected and counted by a committee appointed by the organization.

The contestant who will obtaine the most votes will be proclaimed winner of the Public Prize of the "Città di Massa" Competition. The result of the vote will be officially announced at the end of the concert.

  - Competitors who will score at least 95/100 points will be awarded a 1st  prize diploma.

  - Competitors who will score at least 90/100 points will be awarded a 2nd  prize diploma.

 - Competitors who will score at least 85/100 points will be awarded a 3rd prize diploma.

 - All other competitors will be awarded a participation diploma. 

 - The jury can assign High Distincions to musicians who possess outstanding talent. 

 - The jury can decide to award concerts offered by  private and public institutions or associations to particulary talented musicians (only a reimbursement of costs incurred will be provided).

 - Teachers of awarded competitors will receive a certificate, if requested.  

 - The teacher with the highest number of awarded students will receive a diploma. 

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates will have to fill the application form before the deadline set for Aprile 13, 2026 - 11:59 PM  following the link available at the "Application" section. 
 
 The following documents must be attached to the application form:

1)  Copy of an identity document or birth certificate;

 2)  Copy of the payment (bank receipt) which can be done through bank transfer to Diapason Musical Association,
 IBAN IT24K0503413643000000007257 CODICE SWIFT - BAPPIT21S39 with the following description:
“Diapason 2026 membership fee and “Città di Massa ONLINE EDITION” Competition fee,
or via PayPal.Me:
http//paypal.me/massacompetition with the same description.
Please specify the competitor's name.

 
PLEASE NOTE: IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS ATTACHING THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS YOU CAN SEND THEM BY EMAIL AT: [email protected].

APPLICATION FEE

Soloists section
Cat. "Prime note" and A - € 45,00
Cat. B, C, D, E - € 50,00
Cat. F  - € 60,00

Chamber music section
Cat. G, H, I - € 35,00 for each member of the group (ensembles over 10 members flat fee of €350,00)

Singers section
Cat. L - € 60,00

http://paypal.me/massacompetition