Rules (english)
International Music Competition “ARS MODI” – Second edition – 2026
Organizer: Ars Modi APS
Artistic direction: Edoardo Bruni
For info: segreteria@arsmodi.it
1. Ars Modi APS announces the Second Edition of the “ARS MODI” International Music Competition, with the aim of promoting musical culture by encouraging and rewarding young musicians up to the age of 35.
The Competition is open to musicians of all nationalities born on or after January 1, 1991.
The Competition is divided in two sections:
a) Chamber music (2 to 6 performers, any instrument or voice. All performers must have been born on or after January 1, 1991. The ensemble must remain the same for all compositions);
b) Solo piano (Previous first-prize winners are ineligible to apply).
4. ROUNDS
The Competition is divided into three rounds:
a) Preliminary round – The preliminary round will take place online and will consist of the submission of one or more videos featuring the candidates’ musical performances, with a free-choice program lasting between 10 and 12 minutes.
b) Semi-final round – The semi-final round of the Competition will take place in person, behind closed doors; a maximum of 9 soloists or 9 groups will be admitted, performing a free-choice program lasting between 18 and 20 minutes.
c) Final round – The final round of the Competition will take place in person and will be open to the public; a maximum of 4 soloists or 4 groups will be admitted, performing a free-choice program lasting between 26 and 30 minutes.
5. LOCATIONS AND MAIN CALENDAR
These are the locations and the dates for the semi-final and final rounds:
Chamber music section: the semi-final and final rounds will take place at casa raphael – roncegno (tn), piazza de giovanni 4, on sunday, september 13, 2026, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Roll call for all participants is at 9:00 AM (see below for details). Application deadline: August 9, 2026
Solo piano section: the semi-final and final rounds will take place at palazzo magnifica comunità – cavalese (tn), via scario 1, on sunday, october 11, 2026, from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Roll call for all participants is at 9:00 AM (see below for details). Application deadline: September 6, 2026
6. PROGRAM AND PERFORMANCE
Preliminary round video: candidates may submit one or more videos, provided the total duration matches the requirement. Each video must contain at least one complete piece and must be free of cuts, editing, audio effects, or added reverb; it must be recorded using a stationary camera in a single take, clearly showing the pianist’s face and hands; and it must have been recorded on or after January 1, 2025. Videos must be submitted via a link to a hosting website (YouTube, personal websites, or similar). Any exceptions must be specifically requested with a detailed justification and will be evaluated by the jury on a case-by-case basis. Video quality itself does not affect the evaluation of the performance; however, the jury evaluates what it hears. Since low-quality video often results in poor audio quality, candidates are advised to submit videos with optimal audio quality.
Program: The program is free; the same piece may not be repeated across different rounds.
Original compositions: compositions written by the candidates are permitted and encouraged. Any original compositions must be performed during the semi-final round; submitting original compositions is not mandatory. A special prize is awarded for the presentation of original compositions.
Performance from memory: performing from memory is mandatory for all rounds in the solo piano section and optional for the chamber music section.
Scores: scores for all works performed in the semi-final and final rounds must be presented to the jury at the moment of the performance, either in hard copy (at least one copy) or as a pdf (on the candidate’s tablet).
7. JURY
Chamber music jury:
The jury for the Chamber Music Section will be composed as follows:
- Constantin Beschieru, Moldova (CHAIR) – violinist (First Violin, Arena di Verona 2026)
- Silvia Celadin, Italy – soprano (Opera and vocal chamber music singer)
- Jessica Dalsant, Italy – flautist (Trento Conservatory)
- Edoardo Bruni, Italy – pianist, educator, composer (Vicenza Conservatory)
Solo piano jury:
The jury for the Solo Piano Section will be composed as follows:
Jury Members’ Students: Jury members are NOT PERMITTED to present their own students in the competition (defined as candidates who have received lessons from a jury member between January 1, 2025, and the date of the competition).
Jury Members’ Replacement: The competition’s artistic management reserves the right to replace jury members should any of the listed members be unable to attend.
8. PRIZES
First prize: €1,200 for ONE concert to be held in 2026
Second prize: €900 for ONE concert to be held in 2026
Third prize: €600 for ONE concert to be held in 2026
Audience prize: €300 scholarship for the finalist ensemble favoured by the audience
“Composer-performers” special prize: €200 scholarship for the performer-composer of the best original composition performed in the semi-final
SOLO PIANO SECTION
First prize: €1,000 for TWO concerts to be held in 2026
Second prize: €600 for ONE concert to be held in 2026
Third prize: €400 for ONE concert to be held in 2026
Audience prize: €200 scholarship for the finalist solo pianist favoured by the audience
“Composer-pianists” special prize: €200 scholarship for the pianist-composer of the best original composition performed in the semi-final
DETAILS The cash prize for the first, second, third prizes consists of payment for the concerts and will be awarded in a single payment after all scheduled prize concerts have been performed. The concerts will be organised by Ars Modi or partner organisations, and the schedule will be agreed upon by January 31, 2026. Travel expenses incurred to participate in the prize concerts shall be borne by the candidates. Ars Modi or the partner organisation will provide the artist with overnight accommodation for the night following the concert and dinner on the evening of the concert. The monetary awards for the Audience Prize and the Special Prize will be paid out by December 31, 2026. All prizes are to be considered gross amounts, inclusive of any taxes and contributions that will be withheld, where required, in accordance with the law.
9. EVALUATION AND PRIZE AWARD PROCEDURES
a. For the preliminary round, the jury will vote using the categories: Yes (2 points) – Maybe (1 point) – No (0 points); candidates with the highest number of points will advance to the semi-final round.
b. For the semi-final round, the jury will assign an integer score from 1 to 10 (no decimals) to each candidate/group; it is not permitted to assign the same score to two different candidates/groups; the scores from all jurors (without exclusions) will be summed, and the candidates/groups with the highest total scores will advance to the final round.
c. For the final round, the jury will assign an integer score from 1 to 10 (no decimals) to each candidate/group; it is not permitted to assign the same score to two different candidates/groups; the scores from all jurors (without exclusions) will be summed, and the candidates/groups will be ranked from highest to lowest score.
d. For the audience prize, every audience member (excluding finalists) who will have attended all performances will be given a specific voting form, which will subsequently be tallied by the organizers.
e. The special prize for pianist-composers and chamber musician-composers will be evaluated by the jury at the end of the semi-final round. The quality of the performance of the original composition counts towards the evaluation for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes; the quality of the original composition itself counts towards the evaluation for the pianist-composer and chamber musician-composer special prize.
f. Evaluation criteria. The choice of musical program is an integral and essential part of the evaluation conducted by the Jury. No ex-aequo prizes will be awarded. The Jury reserves the right not to award one or more prizes. The President’s vote counts double (it is tallied twice). In the event of a tie between candidates, a single additional vote will be held, with the procedure determined by the jury at that time. Should the tie persist, the decision of the Jury President will prevail. The Jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal at any stage of the competition.
Travel and accommodation expenses incurred to participate in the semi-final and final stages are to be borne by the candidates.
11. PIANOS AND REHEARSALS
Chamber music section: the semi-final and final rounds will be performed on a seiler piano. Candidates may practice on a separate instrument prior to their performance (a specific schedule will be drawn up).
Solo piano section: the semi-final and final rounds will be performed on a fazioli piano. Candidates may practice on a separate instrument prior to their performance (a specific schedule will be drawn up).
12. RECORDINGS
Audio-video recordings will be made of all rounds; these will be available to candidates free of charge upon request.
13. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
APPLICATION FEE – CHAMBER MUSIC SECTION: €100 (total amount per group)
APPLICATION FEE – SOLO PIANO SECTION: €60
The following documents must also be attached:
a. Photocopy of a valid identity document showing nationality and a recognisable photo (for each musician)
b. Program for the three rounds, including composers, titles, and durations of the pieces
c. Links to the preliminary round videos
d. PDF copy of the bank transfer receipt; the transfer is to be made to the following IBAN: IT45V0830401819000018362478 - SWIFT/BIC: CCRTIT2T76A - ARS MODI APS - Payment reference: "First Name Last Name - Ars Modi Competition 2026"
e. Parental authorisation form, if the candidate is a minor
The Association will confirm registration only after receiving all documents and verifying receipt of payment.
14. DETAILED CALENDAR AND DEADLINES
Chamber music section:
Deadline for application and video submission: August 9, 2026
Application confirmation by the Association: August 11, 2026
Publication of preliminary round results on www.arsmodi.it: August 17, 2026
Venue for the semi-final and final rounds: Casa Raphael – Roncegno (TN), Piazza de Giovanni 4
Semi-final roll call: All candidates admitted to the semi-final must be present at Casa Raphael by 9:00 AM on Sunday, September 13, 2026. The final round will take place subsequently on the same day.
Solo piano section:
Deadline for registration and video submission: September 6, 2026
Registration confirmation by the Association: September 8, 2026
Publication of preliminary round results on www.arsmodi.it: September 14, 2026
Venue for the semi-final and final rounds: Palazzo Magnifica Comunità – Cavalese (TN), Via Scario 1
Semi-final roll call: All candidates admitted to the semi-final must be present at Palazzo Magnifica Comunità by 9:00 AM on Sunday, October 11, 2026. The final round will take place subsequently on the same day.
15. ACCEPTANCE AND JURISDICTION
Registration for the Competition implies acceptance of all rules contained in this announcement.
In the event of a dispute, the Italian text shall prevail, and the Court of Trento shall have jurisdiction.
CHAMBER MUSIC APPLICATION FORM: fill out here
SOLO PIANO APPLICATION FORM: fill out here
PRIVACY NOTICE: read here
PARENTAL AUTHORISATION FOR MINORS: download here, fill and send back