Concours de musique pour cordes Pizzicato 2026
RULES   
• ELIGIBILITY: The Competition is open to participants of all levels, from ages 5 to 17 (high school seniors). Once the schedule is published, no changes can be made to accommodate anyone. Please plan to be available all day.
  However, a participant who has won the Competition two years in a row is not eligible to participate.
• Participants must indicate their age and the number of years they have been playing the instrument.
• Participants must perform before a jury and audience either a large piece (concerto style or other long piece) or two shorter pieces of contrasting styles.
• Participants must be accompanied. Otherwise, they must bring their own backing track of their accompaniment (without melody) and a speaker to play it loudly enough. The Competition will not provide any equipment for playing accompaniments.
• An electronic piano will be available at the Competition Hall.
• Participants without an accompanist or backing track will be penalized
• Memorization of the chosen piece(s) is mandatory, under a 5% penalty.
• Participants may register in several different categories or for two different instruments. In this case, they must complete two separate registration forms.
• “Petits Ensembles”; One piece only. Participants (2 to 4 musicians) of the same level; accompaniment and memorization are not required.
• The competition is open to the public, and silence is expected.
• Out of respect for copyright, participants must present to the judges an original copy of their piece. Photocopies are not accepted.
• The Competition is also open to individuals with special needs (e.g., intellectual or physical disabilities, developmental disorders). These needs will be taken into account by the jury and will be appropriately rewarded.
• A workshop in preparation for the Closing Performance is scheduled for each participant after their performance. Please allow 2 hours for the Competition. • Appropriate attire is required during the competition. Jeans are not permitted, and the face must be uncovered.
• Once the schedule is published, no changes can be made to accommodate anyone.
• Also, even if several children from the same family are registered, they could be invited at different times of the day.>

SCHEDULE OF THE DAY
• Participants must register at the entrance at least 30 minutes before their performance to confirm their attendance.
• Instrument preparation and tuning by the on-site luthier before the performance.
• Solo and “Petits Ensembles” performances before a jury and audience in the first group (approximately 1 hour) at the Community Centre at the scheduled time.
• Guided activity (approximately 30 minutes), also at the Community Centre, with the same group and instructors.
• General rehearsal for the Gala evening at 5:00 p.m. at the Marcel-Dulude Centre is mandatory for all participants in the closing show.
Participants selected to perform at the Gala will be notified during the afternoon.

TIME LIMIT
• Ages 5 to 8: Maximum 5 minutes
• Ages 9 to 12: Maximum 10 minutes
• Ages 13 to 17: Maximum 12 minutes
The time limit must be respected or the performance will be interrupted.

 CANCELLATION
• In case of cancellation, please notify us as soon as possible by calling (514) 945-2096.

 RECOGNITION
• All participants will receive awards based on the scores given by the Jury. The Jury's decision is final.
• A participation grant will be drawn at random from among the participants present on stage during the Gala.
        DIAMOND Medal: 95% and above
        GOLD Medal: 90% to 94%
        SILVER Medal: 85% to 89%
        BRONZE Medal: 70% to 84%

 REGISTRATION FEES
• The registration fees for Solo and Small Ensembles are $45 and $50 respectively and include registration for a single performance in one of the categories (popular, classical). Registration fees are non-refundable in both cases.
• If a participant wishes to perform with two different instruments, in two different categories, or in two different ensembles (Solo and/or “Petits Ensembles”), two separate registration forms must be completed.
• Participants must indicate their age and the number of years they have been playing the instrument.
• Registration must be completed using the online Pizzicato Registration form and becomes official upon receipt of payment.
• Participants must be available at all times of day, as it will be impossible to reschedule for family commitments or special needs.
• Participants must be present at the Gala for the awards ceremony to receive their prices.
Registration will be official upon confirmation of payment.

 REGISTRATION CLASSIFICATION
Musicians will be classified into two distinct groups according to strict criteria to ensure fair competition for all levels of experience: General Class and Elite Class.
• Classification Criteria:
       • Number of years of study
       • Age of the participant
     • Repertoire performed during their performance The Competition reserves the right to move a participant up a level based on the established criteria. The classification decision is final.

 PIZZICATO SCHOLARSHIPS
• The Pizzicato Scholarship is awarded randomly to one registered participant to encourage young musicians to persevere in practicing their instrument: $
• The Pablo-Tchang Scholarship is awarded to the Jury's Choice winner: $
 •The Normand-Gagnon Scholarship is awarded to the participant who stands out based on their years of learning experience (beginner): $

 GENERAL CLASS
Solo
• Scholarships will be awarded according to age group.
• 13 to 17 years - $
• 9 to 12 years - $
• 5 to 8 years - $

Small Ensembles
• Participants will compete for 1 scholarship across all age groups:
• 11 to 17 years - $
• 8 to 10 years -

ELITE CLASS
Solo
• Participants will compete for 2 scholarships:
• 13 to 17 years - $
•Under 13 years - $

Small Ensembles
• 1 scholarship - $

The Competition reserves the right to modify the scholarship allocation based on the number of accepted entries.

The Gala
The closing show of the day will take place at the Centre Marcel-Dulude at 6:30 p.m.
- The Gala will feature all participants performing a piece they have practiced during the day's workshops.
- Winners will be required to present the piece chosen by the Jury with their accompanist.
- Presentation of scholarships and medals
- Special mentions
- Closing remarks
- Acknowledgments
- Musical performances
Please note it is mandatory that all Competition participants be at the general rehearsal at the Centre Marcel-Dulude at 5:00 p.m. for the Gala.

Tickets are mandatory and available online: special price for parents of participants with the promotional code printed on the registration ticket received by email upon purchase.
* Free for children under 16 Also available at the door on the day of the event.
* Children's tickets: You must reserve the required number of children's tickets by email: info@concoursspizzicato.ca