Competition Rules & Regulations
BIMF Concerto Competition 2026
BIMF will hold a concerto competition during the festival. The winners will perform at the BIMF Showcase Concert on July 18, 2026. The first-prize winner will perform with the Tehachapi Symphony Orchestra (TSO) in its May 2027 concert.
If the BIMF concerto winner performs the same piece as the TSO Young Artist Competition winner, TSO may include the BIMF winner in its June or July concert instead of the May concert.
If the BIMF first-prize winner is also the TSO Young Artist Competition winner for the same year, the participant will receive first prize but will not perform with TSO. In this case, the second-prize winner will perform with TSO.
If a BIMF first-prize winner performs with TSO as a junior high school student, the participant may compete again for a performance with TSO once during high school, but not in the immediately following year.
Eligibility
Open to BIMF participants age 22 or younger (age determined as of the first day of BIMF). Open to all string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass).
Repertoire
- Any single movement for string instrument and orchestra that meets the following stipulations.
- A composition must have published orchestra parts readily available.
- A composition could be a concerto or another orchestra-accompanied work, such as "Romance," "Elegy," etc.
- A composition with large orchestrations or which include non-standard instruments may be re-arranged to fit the TSO's instrumentation.
- A composition that requires renting music parts may incur a charge to the performer to cover the rental fee.
- A composition longer than 20 minutes requires TSO approval prior to the competition.
- Memorization is required.
How to Apply
The application form will be sent to BIMF participants after registration closes.
BIMF Young Artist Competition 2026
BIMF will hold the Young Artist Competition during the festival. The winners will perform at the BIMF Showcase Concert on July 18, 2026. We look forward to hearing your incredible performances!
String Category
Divisions
- Junior Division (students entering 12th grade and below)
- Collegiate Division (students enrolled in a college or university)
Repertoire
- Free program.
- Recommended Length: 10 minutes. Performances exceeding 10 minutes may be stopped at the discretion of the judges.
- Individual movements from larger works are acceptable.
- Memorization is required.
- The same piece may not be entered in both the Concerto Competition and this competition.
Piano Category
Eligibility
Ages 22 and under (age determined as of the first day of BIMF)
Repertoire
- Free program, no longer than 10 minutes.
- Individual movements from larger works are acceptable.
- Memorization is required.
How to Apply
The application form will be sent to BIMF participants after registration closes.