OPUS MUSIC COMPETITION — STATE LEVEL
The OPUS Music Competition (State Level) is open to music students and young artists ages 5–22 residing in the United States who play violin, viola, cello, double bass, or piano.
Students compete by submitting a video performance that meets the requirements of their age category. A jury of renowned musicians will select winners in each state, instrument, and age category.
All prize winners, including Merit Prize recipients, will be invited to compete in the OPUS National Music Competition for national titles and cash prizes.
REQUIREMENTS
Students may submit a program consisting of at least 1 composition and no more than 3 compositions, provided the total performance time fits within the allotted time for their age category (please refer to the rules for category time limits).
Performances may be submitted in any of the following ways:
- Each composition may be recorded separately and combined into one final video submission
- The entire program may be recorded in one continuous take
- Students may create a YouTube playlist containing multiple performance videos and submit the playlist link
The OPUS Competition prefers YouTube links for video submissions.
JURY
The jury of the OPUS Competition is composed of renowned artists, including principal players and concertmasters of leading orchestras in the United States, Canada, and Europe, as well as university professors.
The official jury panel will be announced at the close of each application cycle.
Meet the State Competition jury by visiting:
http://opuscompetition.com/state-jury/
PRIZES
The OPUS Competition will award prizes in each state, instrument, and age category based on the recommendations of the judges.
Prize winners will receive an official OPUS award diploma, while all other participants will receive a unique participation diploma.
Winners may be featured on the OPUS website and/or YouTube channel and may also be included in press releases distributed to select media outlets.
All prize winners, including Merit Prize recipients, will be eligible to compete in the OPUS National Music Competition for national titles and cash prizes.
COMMENTS
Every student will receive selected comments from the judges. Comments are included in each participant’s award packet alongside their award or participation diploma.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the application deadline?
November 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM pacific time
How many people are on the jury?
The jury is made up of up to 4 renowned musicians, university professors, and arts leaders.
How many pieces of should students play?
Students can play a minimum of 1 composition and no more than 3, which must fit within the allotted time for their age category. The number of compositions chosen have no bearing on results. Students will be judged on the overall quality of their performance rather than the number of compositions chosen.
How much does it cost to apply?
The standard competition entry fee is $95, which includes the cost of mailing all awards and participation diplomas. The early registration entry fee is $85.
*Please note you may choose to have certificate awards framed in a high quality metal frame for only $35 more. The price includes shipping and handling.
What is early registration?
Registering early helps us plan for a smooth, well-organized competition. As one of the largest music competitions in the United States, OPUS welcomes hundreds of students from across the country each year. The early registration period allows us to anticipate scheduling needs, logistics, and the workflow required for our staff and adjudication panel.
How do you verify state of residence?
State of residence is verified through the mailing address used to submit your competition application.
What happens if a category within my state doesn’t have enough applicants?
If a category does not have enough applications, then the entries received are still adjudicated by our panel. This means the judging panel can still recommend the participants for an award based on the quality of their performance. Additionally, the judges may also recommend merging categories if the playing ability of the competitors is similar in nature.
When will the results be posted?
All results will be announced the third week of December. Participants will receive an email announcing results.
When will awards be shipped?
All certificates awards and comments will be shipped between late December and early January.
Will all contestants receive recognition?
Yes. All contestants will be awarded with diplomas for their participation and/or prize attained. Winners will also be featured on our website, YouTube channel, and press releases to select media outlets.