OPUS Music Competition Announces Expanded Age Categories for State and National Competitions

New structure strengthens OPUS’s commitment to identifying young musicians from early development through the young professional stage

LAS VEGAS, NV — The OPUS Music Competition is proud to announce an expanded and refined age category structure for its State and National Competitions, designed to support student musicians at every stage of artistic development.

Beginning with the upcoming 2026 competition cycle, the State Competition will feature six age categories, allowing participants to compete within more closely aligned developmental groups. These categories are:

CATEGORY I: Ages 5–7 | up to 6 minutes
CATEGORY II: Ages 8–10 | up to 8 minutes
CATEGORY III: Ages 11–13 | up to 10 minutes
CATEGORY IV: Ages 14–16 | up to 12 minutes
CATEGORY V: Ages 17–19 | up to 15 minutes
CATEGORY VI: Ages 20–22 | up to 18 minutes

The State Competition will include instrumental categories for Piano and Strings (violin, viola, cello, and double bass).

For the National Competition, prize winners will advance into broader national divisions that reflect the elevated level of performance and competition at the national stage:

PRIMARY: Ages 5–8 | up to 8 minutes
JUNIOR: Ages 9–13 | up to 10 minutes
SENIOR: Ages 14–18 | up to 15 minutes
YOUNG ARTIST: Ages 19–23 | up to 18 minutes

“We are very excited to expand OPUS into the young professional stage of musical development,” said Yunior Lopez, President of OPUS. “For the past few years, alumni, teachers, and friends of OPUS have asked about creating a college-level category. This expansion allows us to broaden our reach, identify exceptional young professionals, and continue building a larger and stronger pool of talent through the OPUS Music Competition.”

This expanded structure allows OPUS to recognize promising young musicians from their earliest years while also creating a meaningful pathway for advanced students entering the young professional stage. By extending National Competition eligibility through age 23, OPUS is able to include exceptional musicians who may be completing undergraduate study, preparing for graduate programs, entering the professional field, or transitioning into the next phase of their artistic careers.

Because the State and National Competitions are structured differently, some students may compete in one age category during the State Competition and a different age division during the National Competition, depending on their age at the time of each application deadline. The Young Artist division extends through age 23 to accommodate eligible State Competition prize winners who were 22 at the time of the State Competition but turn 23 before the National Competition.

The new age category system represents an important step in the continued growth of OPUS. By expanding its reach, OPUS will be able to identify and support a wider range of emerging young artists, from young beginners showing early promise to advanced musicians preparing for conservatory study, college auditions, graduate programs, and professional opportunities.

With this structure, OPUS strengthens its mission to provide a competitive, inspiring, and artistically meaningful platform for the next generation of musicians.

For more information about the OPUS Music Competition, eligibility, rules, and application details, please visit https://opuscompetition.com or contact info@opuscompetition.com.