The Rules of the OPUS Music Competition (state level)
Rule 1: The competition is open to all students ages 5-22 who play violin, viola, cello, double bass, and/or piano, and reside in the United States. The age of the student will be determined by their age at the time of the final application deadline.
Rule 2: Participants will compete within their state of residence and within the instrument and category chosen. If a category does not have enough participants, then the entries received are still adjudicated by our panel. Students may enter in multiple instrumental categories (e.g. strings & piano). Please note that a separate application is required for multiple entries. All entry fees are nonrefundable.
Rule 3: There are no repertoire limitations. Competitors can choose their own music program from the baroque, classical, romantic, or contemporary periods. To be eligible for a prize, all music must be memorized with the exception of sonatas or collaborative works with accompaniment, which are not concertos. Concertos and Bach Suites/Sonatas/Partitas must be performed by memory. Please note that the number of compositions performed has no bearing on results. This means competitors will be judged on their performance quality rather than number of pieces performed.
Rule 4: Participants can create a program with at least 1 composition, and no more than 3, which must fit within their allotted time based on age category. Students who surpass the allotted time for their category will not be penalized as long as the video doesn’t surpass the allotted time by 60 seconds. The Opus Competition prefers YouTube or Vimeo links. Participants can record each composition at a time, and then combine the videos to (1) final submission or record their entire performance in 1 take. Students may also choose to create a YouTube playlist if they are submitting multiple videos.
Rule 5: Video performances must be performed by the applicants and may not be edited nor enhanced in any way. Participants will not be penalized for the quality of your video, although it is important that it is good enough to see and hear you clearly. It is recommended that the recording device be at 6-7 feet away from the performers. Cell phone recordings are acceptable. Please see video guidelines for more information.
Rule 6: Participants may use previously recorded performance videos, which should be no more than 6 months old from the date of the application deadline.
Rule 7: Piano accompaniment is preferred, but not required.
Rule 8: Participants will receive a notable diploma specifying their participation or prize attained. All prize winners are eligible to compete in their state competition in subsequent years. All prize winners, including merit awards, are eligible to compete in the OPUS National Music Competition. Cash prizes and awards will be given at the national level only.
Rule 9: The jury is comprised of renowned musical artists from the United States, Canada, and Europe. The jury is regulated by guidelines & rules to help choose winners in each state. The jury reserves the right to award a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize in addition to multiple merit prizes at their own discretion. The results of the jury are final and cannot be overturned.
Rule 10: By registering for the OPUS Music Competition, you agree to let the OPUS Organization (aka OPUS Music Competition) use submitted photos and videos in promotional publications including our website, social media, and printed materials. Participants also forfeit the right for any financial remuneration regarding eventual publication and/or distribution of any and all recordings submitted for adjudication.
By entering the OPUS Music Competition, participants accept all conditions set forth above.
The OPUS Organization has the right to change these terms & conditions at any time. Participants will be notified if any changes occur.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
Competition Categories
Each category is open to students who play violin, viola, cello, double bass, or piano. Every category has a specific time limit for the video performance. Students may submit a program of 1 to 3 pieces, and the total playing time should fit within their category’s time limit. Judges will allow up to one additional minute to complete the performance. Students do not need to edit or cut their videos, since judges will only watch up to the allowed time plus one extra minute. Students will not be penalized if the video runs longer than the allotted time.
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
INSTRUMENTAL CATEGORIES: Strings, Piano
The OPUS Competition will award prizes for each category and state on the recommendation of the judges. All other students will receive a unique participation diploma. All winners will be featured on our website & YouTube channel, in addition to press releases through local media outlets in each state. Lastly, all winners including merit prize recipients from each state will be invited to compete at the national level. Finalists of the National Competition will be invited to compete in person for cash prizes & national titles.
Age categories for the State Competitions and National Competition are structured differently. The State Competition uses narrower age divisions to provide students with a more age-appropriate experience. The National Competition uses broader divisions because prize winners from multiple State categories are combined into larger national divisions.
A student’s National category will be determined by their age at the time of the application deadline. As a result, a student may compete in one age category during the State Competition and a different age division during the National Competition.
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.
Video Guidelines
The application form must be accompanied with a link to the performance video. Videos do not have to be professional in nature. Cell phone videos are welcome. Students can record each composition at a time, and then combine the videos to (1) final submission OR record their entire performance in one take. Students are also able to create a YouTube playlist using multiple videos, and submit the link to the playlist. The OPUS Competition prefers YouTube links.
1. YouTube links are preferred. The YouTube video title should have the name of participant and the category in which they are competing. Please be sure your videos are set to “Public” or “Unlisted”: VIDEO MANAGER → videos → Basic Info → from the dropdown menu, please choose “Public” or “Unlisted” only.
2. Students must show upper or full body and have adequate lighting as to see their face and instrument as well as their full range of motion. We recommend having the recording devices 6-7 ft. away from the performer(s).
3. Audios and videos may not be edited.