CATEGORIES & RULES

The CLAUDE DEBUSSY COMPETITION PARIS 2025 invites musicians of all ages and nationalities to participate in the classical categories of Piano, Strings, Voice, Woodwinds, and Chamber Music. With no age restrictions, this competition offers an inclusive platform for musicians worldwide to showcase their talent and passion for classical music.

For the Chamber Music discipline, the category will be based on the average age of the group members. (For instance: Member 1 born in 1996, Member 2 born in 1994, Member 3 born in 2001, the average year would be 1997. The age category would then be classified as Professional.

RULES

The rules of The Claude Debussy Competition Paris 2025

Deadline: April 21, 2025
Results: From June 8, 2025, onwards

Article 1.

The World Classical Music Forum proudly presents The Claude Debussy Competition Paris 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the Competition). This prestigious event is conducted exclusively online.

Article 2.

The competition welcomes participants of all nationalities and backgrounds, competing in categories based on age.

Article 3.

Contestants will be evaluated solely based on the recordings they submit.

Article 4.

The application fee is €117 for both soloists and chamber music ensembles. Once you have completed the registration form, you will be redirected to our secure payment platform powered by Stripe to proceed with the payment of the fees. Please note that once the application fee is paid, it cannot be refunded under any circumstances.

Article 5.

Repertoire: Participants have the freedom to choose one or more pieces from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Contemporary periods. Performances can be solo, with piano accompaniment, or with an orchestra. The total duration of the video recording is limited.

• Professional – born in 1998 and older – up to 25 minutes
• Master – born in 1999 / 2000– up to 25 minutes
• Virtuoso  – born in 2001 /2002 – up to 25 minutes
• Rising Stars – born in 2003 / 2004 – up to 15 minutes
• Aspiring Artists – born in 2005 / 2006 – up to 15 minutes
• Intermediate Talents – born in 2007 /2008 – up to 15 minutes
• Junior Virtuosos – born in 2009 /2010 – up to 12 minutes
• Promising Performers – born in 2011 /2012 – up to 12 minutes
• Emerging Stars – born in 2013 /2014 – up to 10 minutes
• Young Talents – born in 2015 /2016 – up to 10 minutes
• Prodigy Performers – born in 2017 /2018 – up to 7 minutes
• Little Stars – born in 2019 and younger – up to 7 minutes

For the Chamber Music discipline, the category will be based on the average age of the group members. (For instance: Member 1 born in 1996, Member 2 born in 1994, Member 3 born in 2001, the average year would be 1997. The age category would then be classified as Professional.

Article 6.

Video recordings (audio not acceptable) must be performed by the applicants without any editing or added effects. It’s important to ensure that the recording quality is clear and without distortion, and that the accompaniment does not overpower the applicant’s performance. While there is no penalty for the quality of the video, it should be of sufficient quality for the jury to see and hear clearly.

When submitting the Application Form, please include the pieces you are performing in the following format: name of the piece, composer’s name, duration. Please note that videos must be available for online viewing; download links will not be accepted.

Article 7.

If the duration of the submitted video exceeds the time limits specified in the rules, the jury will only evaluate up to the time limit set for each category. Please note that the duration of the performed piece excludes any applause or stage entrances and exits.

Article 8.

Registration must be completed exclusively through electronic means. Upon accessing the website ClaudeDebussyCompetitionParis2025.org, competitors are required to provide the following:

• A completed Online Application form in English.
• A YouTube or Vimeo link containing their performance.

Article 9.

By participating in the competition, competitors automatically waive any rights to financial compensation for the eventual publication and distribution of music video recordings on CD, DVD publications, and the internet.

Article 10.

The work of the Jury is governed by specific rules. Jury members are chosen from a group of distinguished performing artists, conductors, composers, and educators. All decisions and comments made by the Jury are anonymous, final, and cannot be revoked.

Article 11.

Competitors are qualified according to the average grade point of evaluations by the Jury:

GRAND PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 99/100 points
FIRST PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 93/100 points
SECOND PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 86/100 points
THIRD PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 79/100 points
FOURTH PRIZE – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 72/100 points
SPECIAL MENTION – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 65/100 points
HONORARY MENTION – is to be awarded to the competitor who wins at least 55/100 points

The number of awards (prizes) is limited, but can be shared if multiple contestants reach the same mark.

Article 12.

The competitor or competitors who achieve a score of 99/100 points will be declared the Absolute Winner or winners and will receive the Diploma “The Claude Debussy Competition Paris 2025 Grand Prize.” The Absolute Winners will have their picture and biography featured on the website under the title “The Winners of The Claude Debussy Competition Paris 2025 Grand Prize” and will also receive a special diploma.

In the event of multiple solo competitors in the same category achieving the same number of points, preference will be given to the younger competitor. If multiple competitors in different categories have the same number of points, the final decision on placement will be made by the Jury.

Article 14.

Fund of Prizes:

• All contestants will be awarded diplomas.
• Teachers and accompanists, upon request, will receive a certificate for their portfolio.
• Special awards, known as the “Claude Debussy Competition Paris 2025 Grand Prize,” will be given to winners who achieve a total score of 100 points, with a cash award of €1000 for solo contestants and €2000 for ensemble contestants.
• One of the winners of the “Claude Debussy Competition Paris Grand Prize 2025” will have the opportunity to participate in a recording session in Paris.
• The Absolute Winners will have their picture and biography published on the website under the title “The Winner of the Claude Debussy Competition Paris 2025 Grand Prize” and will also receive a special diploma.
• Select 1st Place winning videos will receive special acknowledgment and be featured on our YouTube channel (winners’ highlights video), Facebook, & Instagram.

Article 15.

After all nominations are confirmed, diplomas will be sent out.

Article 16.

By applying to the competition, participants automatically accept the conditions outlined in the previous provisions of the online music competition rules.

Deadline: April 21, 2025