2026 Academy Music Competition
Overview
Join us for our 2026 Academy Music Competition! This competition is open to Academy students, non–Academy students in the community from other schools and studios, and amateur adult performers.
Competition entries will be adjudicated by George Mason University Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music faculty. Students who receive qualifying scores will be invited to perform in the Competition Honors Recital at Harris Theatre, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason.
Net competition proceeds will go toward funding Academy scholarships and outreach programs.
Competition Divisions
The Competition will be divided into three separate divisions:
- Junior Division (ages 12 and under)
- Senior Division (ages 13–18)
- Adult Amateur Division (ages 19+)*
* Amateurs are defined as non-professional musicians, and participants without collegiate coursework and/or study in music.
Qualifiers from each division will be invited to perform in the Competition Honors Recital for their category in March 2026.
Competition Requirements
The Academy Music Competition is open to amateur vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages. Amateurs will be defined as non-professional musicians and participants without collegiate coursework or study in music.
Repertoire Requirements
- Participants may perform one piece totaling no more than seven minutes maximum.
- Memorization of the piece is encouraged but not required.
- Participants must submit a PDF of their full score (including piano accompaniment if applicable) with numbered measures. Scores without numbered measures will not be considered.
Piano Accompaniment Guidelines
- Pieces with written accompaniment must be accompanied by a live pianist for the video recording or performed alongside a recorded accompaniment track. If selected to perform for the Honors Recital, recorded tracks will not be allowed, and students will be required to perform with a live pianist.
- Participants must provide their own collaborative pianist for both the recording and the Honors Recital, if selected to perform.
Video Submission Requirements
- Participants will submit one video recording of an unedited performance as an unlisted YouTube link.
- Video recordings must be well lit and show the performer’s entire body and instrument. Music stands should not block the view of the performer.
- Video recordings must be performed in one take and must not be edited. Edited videos will lead to disqualification.
Honor Recital Details
Students who receive qualifying scores will be invited to perform in the Honors Recital in Harris Theatre, located on the Fairfax campus of George Mason. All participants must confirm at the time of registration that if selected to advance to the Honors Recital, they guarantee their availability for the performance date and time.
Location: Harris Theatre, George Mason Fairfax campus
Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Time:
- Junior Division Recital: 1 p.m.
- Senior Division and Adult Amateur Division Recital: 3 p.m.
Recital Participation Fee: $30*
*Students selected to perform in the Honors Recital will be required to pay a $30 recital participation fee.
Competition Registration Details
Step One: Submit Your Competition Registration (Due Friday, January 9, 2026)
- Using the link below, submit your Competition Registration and pay the $45 application fee. All registrations must be submitted by Friday, January 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for consideration.
- All participants must confirm at the time of registration that if selected for the Honors Recital, they guarantee their availability for the performance date and time.
*A discounted Application Fee is available for currently enrolled Academy private lesson students. Please refer to Academy Competition emails or contact [email protected] for the discount code.
Step Two: Submit Your Competition Video (Due Friday, January 23, 2026)
- After completing the competition application, use the link below to submit your Competition Video. All video submissions must be received by Friday, January 23, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. for consideration.
- All submitted videos MUST follow the Video Submission Requirements listed above. Videos that do not meet the requirements will not be considered and will lead to disqualification for the participant.
- Failure to submit a video after completing the registration will also lead to participant disqualification.