Geneva Junior Music Competition

International Online Competition, Geneva Victoria Concert Hall Winner's recital

Applications deadline : 15 November 2025

PIANO, VIOLIN, CELLO | Categories from 5 to 25 years old
TRIO & QUARTET | from 15 to 25 years old

About GJMC

Geneva Junior Music Competition is an international online music competition with the overarching goal to inspire and challenge young talented musicians from all around the globe and to help them launch their international careers.


Performances will be judged by a world-class jury composed of renowned interpreters and esteemed music professors with an international profile and background.


A grand total of over 15,000.00-CHF cash prizes will be awarded, with prizewinners benefiting from media visibility on our online social media platform and support in the development of their career through participation in concerts as well as establishing networking links with agencies and festivals. The chosen grand winners will be invited to perform live in 2026 during the Gala Concert in the prestigious and internationally renowned Victoria Concert Hall of Geneva.


We welcome all young pianists, cellists and violinists from around the world to participate in the Geneva Junior Music Competition and submit their video recording to show all their potential (hence no need to travel), pursue their passion and showcase their talent on a global stage.

Competition schedule

Application deadline: 15 November 2025

Results: 15 December 2025

Gala Concert in Victoria Hall Geneva: the date will be announced soon

Rules

I. Geneva Junior Music Competition is open to pianists, violinists, cellists and chamber music groups of all nationalities and countries, the participants compete in categories based on the age. The competition takes place entirely over the Internet. Application deadline: 15th of November 2025


II. The Competition will be held in two rounds. Only one video should be submitted for both rounds and represent the candidate's performance. The First round winning videos will be judged in Final round by the Main Jury members. All Jury decisions are final, the prizes will be awarded based on the submitted recordings.


III. Free choice from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary periods. For VIRTUOSO category, the recording must include at least two pieces: one virtuoso piece and at least one other work from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary periods.
For all categories, playing by heart is not mandatory.
Different pieces can be recorded separately, but combined in one video. The performance can be solo, with or without accompaniment (piano, orchestra…) Total duration of the video recording is limited. If the duration of the submitted recording exceeds the time limits with more than 1 minute, the applicant might be disqualified. The duration of the recording is determined by the beginning to the end of each piece.


IV. Video recordings must not be edited, nor should any effects be added. Participants are required to submit a Youtube link of their recording, the video must be set as PUBLIC and must be recorded no more than 18 months before the date of your application. Professional quality recording is not mandatory, but a good quality is always advised for a better assess of your performance.
Title of the video recording must be the following: Geneva Junior Music Competition 2025 - category - instrument - candidates’s name, surname. Example : Geneva Junior Music Competition 2025 - Junior A - Piano - Marie Dupont


V. Candidates authorize Geneva Junior Music Competition to use and broadcast their performances and image (competition performance, Gala Concert, all other performances related to the Competition). Candidates will not be able to make any financial requests towards Geneva Junior Music Competition.


VI. Prizes can be shared or not awarded by the decision of the jury.
- In the JUNIOR Category ALL CONTESTANTS will receive a diploma depending on their results.
- In the VIRTUOSO Category ALL LAUREATES will receive a diploma.
- In the CHAMBER MUSIC Category ALL LAUREATES will receive a diploma.
All diplomas will be sent by email after the publication of the Results.


The Jury will select 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes separately in each age category. Therefore, there can be more than one 1st, 2nd and 3rd winner.
The VIRTUOSO, JUNIOR and CHAMBER MUSIC categories will be awarded one Grand Prix respectively. All Laureates will get their picture and name published on the website and social media. Laureates’s Teachers can receive diplomas on request.


VII. Payment can be made by Stripe online payment. Full payment of the application fees must be made BEFORE application form will be processed (proof of paiement has to be included in the application form). All application fees are non-refundable, incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application fees :
JUNIOR Category 95.-CHF | Early Bird Application till August 31 (11:59PM) 85.-CHF (PAYMENT LINK)
VIRTUOSO Category 115.-CHF | Early Bird Application till August 31 (11:59PM) 105.-CHF (PAYMENT LINK)
CHAMBER MUSIC TRIO Category 160.-CHF/group | Early Bird Application till August 31 (11:59PM) 150.-CHF (PAYMENT LINK)
CHAMBER MUSIC QUARTET Category 180.-CHF/group | Early Bird Application till August 31 (11:59PM) 170.-CHF (PAYMENT LINK)

VIII. All participants must fulfilled the application form on the website. All required documents, mentioned in the Application Form, must be sent exclusively to this email address : info@genevajmc.com within 24 hours after submitting the form on the website. All appliquations not respecting this time limit will not be considered. By applying to the competition, competitors automatically accept all the conditions of the Geneva Junior Music Competition rules.

Categories

JUNIOR

Group A: 5 to 7 years old (on 15 November 2025)
Max. 5 minutes | Free repertoire


Group B: 8 to 10 years old (on 15 November 2025)
Max. 10 minutes | Free repertoire


Group C: 11 to 13 years old (on 15 November 2025)
Max. 15 minutes | Free repertoire


Group D: 14 to 16 years old (on 15 November 2025)
Max. 15 minutes | Free repertoire

VIRTUOSO


From 17 to 25 years old on 15 November 2025


Max. 20 minutes


Minimum two pieces :
One virtuoso piece and at least one other work from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary periods.

CHAMBER MUSIC
Piano trio, String trio, String quartet


From 15 to 25 years old on 15 November 2025


Max. 15 minutes


Free choice from the baroque, classical, romantic or contemporary periods


Minimum two pieces/movements of different styles

Prizes

Over 15'000.-CHF in prizes

Grand Prix VIRTUOSO 2025

Grand Prix JUNIOR 2025

Grand Prix CHAMBER MUSIC 2025

1st Prize Diploma

For each category several prizes can be awarded

2nd Prize Diplomas

For each category several prizes can be awarded

3rd Prize Diplomas

For each category several prizes can be awarded

Special Prize
Irène Dénéréaz

For the best musician from Swiss Music School

Special Prize
PIRASTRO

Sets of PIRASTRO violin/cello strings + rosin + individual string consultation

Cash Prizes

*Sponsored by USDAM and Neo Académie

Professor's Award

For laureate's teachers (by demand)

Public Choice Award

Will be voted online by the public

Diplomas of Participation

For category JUNIOR

Jury

The Final Round performances are judged by a world-class jury composed of renowned interpreters and esteemed music professors with an international profile.

Svetlana Makarova

Christian Chamorel

Emmanuelle Bertrand

Raphaël Merlin

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Reconnue pour sa virtuosité et son expressivité, la violoniste Svetlana Makarova se produit dans les plus grands festivals et salles prestigieuses à travers le monde. Enfant prodige, elle remporte à 10 ans le Premier Prix du Concours Tchaïkovski Jeunesse avant d'obtenir un doctorat sur la virtuosité du violon au Conservatoire de Moscou. Invitée en 2008 par Lorin Maazel à rejoindre l’orchestre du Palau de Les Arts à Valence, elle lance sa carrière internationale en collaborant avec des chefs d’orchestre de renom tels que Zubin Mehta, James Levine et Gustavo Dudamel.

En tant que soliste, elle s'est produite avec de grands orchestres (Kremerata Baltica, Orchestre symphonique de Moscou) et aux côtés de célèbres chambristes. Passionnée de musique contemporaine, elle a créé des œuvres de compositeurs majeurs. Ses enregistrements pour Naxos sont salués par la critique.

Pédagogue engagée, elle enseigne à la Haute École de Musique de Lausanne, où ses élèves remportent de prestigieux concours. Elle donne également des masterclasses dans des institutions de renom et siège comme jurée dans de grandes compétitions internationales.

Svetlana Makarova joue sur un violon Niccolò Gagliano de 1745

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Christian Chamorel est l’un des pianistes suisses francophones les plus en vue, reconnu internationalement. Spécialiste du Lied et de la musique de chambre, il est un partenaire musical recherché, apprécié pour sa générosité et ses qualités de communication.

Il s’est produit dans des festivals et salles prestigieuses à travers le monde, notamment aux États-Unis, au Canada, au NCPA de Pékin, au Kioi Hall de Tokyo, au Konzerthaus de Berlin, au Wigmore Hall de Londres et au Victoria Hall de Genève. Lauréat de grands concours internationaux, il joue régulièrement avec des orchestres de renom.

Ses enregistrements consacrés à Liszt, Mendelssohn, Franck et Mozart ont été salués par la critique, deux d’entre eux ayant été nommés pour l'Enregistrement de l'Année aux International Classical Music Awards. Il est le fondateur et directeur artistique du festival Mont Musical et enseigne en tant que professeur à la Haute École de Musique de Lausanne, site de Fribourg.

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Emmanuelle Bertrand est l'une des violoncellistes européennes les plus éminentes, lauréate de nombreux prix internationaux, dont « Artiste de l’année » (Diapason & France Musique, 2011), 3 Diapason d’Or de l’Année, le prix Simone et Cino Del Duca, ainsi que deux Victoires de la Musique. À 25 ans, le compositeur H. Dutilleux la qualifiait de « véritable révélation ». Depuis, elle a créé des œuvres de Nicolas Bacri, Thierry Escaich, Édith Canat de Chizy, Bernard Cavanna, et interprété en première mondiale la Chanson pour Pierre Boulez de Berio. Soliste recherchée à travers le monde, elle explore le lien entre musique et littérature, collaborant avec Laurent Terzieff et coécrivant Le Block 15 ou la Musique en résistance (2005).

Elle a également créé Le violoncelle de guerre (2011), spectacle qu'elle a tourné avec des acteurs tels que Didier Sandre et Richard Bohringer. Elle enseigne le violoncelle et la musique de chambre au CNSM de Paris.

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Compositeur, chef d’orchestre, violoncelliste et directeur musical de l’Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Raphaël Merlin mène un parcours artistique riche et passionné, marqué par l’éclectisme, la curiosité et un profond engagement. Membre du Quatuor Ébène, il s’est produit sur les plus grandes scènes internationales aux côtés de musiciens d’exception. Le succès retentissant du quatuor au Concours ARD de Munich en 2004 a marqué le début d’une ascension fulgurante, couronnée par de nombreux prix et distinctions. Le quatuor a signé un contrat exclusif avec Virgin Classics sous le label Erato de Warner Classics. Leurs albums ont reçu des récompenses prestigieuses, notamment l’Editor’s Choice de Gramophone, le Choc du Monde de la Musique, le CD of the Week du Sunday Times, le Choc Classica, le Diapason d’Oret le Gramophone of the Month.. Parallèlement, la carrière de chef d’orchestre de Raphaël Merlin s’est épanouie à travers des collaborations fructueuses. Invité à diriger des orchestres prestigieux, il est représenté par RSB Artists depuis 2017.

Pédagogue passionné, il donne également des masterclasses de musique de chambre à travers le monde.

Partners and Sponsors

We would like to thank our Anonymous Sponsors

Contact

For all questions feel free to contact us by email: info@genevajmc.com