Professional Category Application
TO Apply
Professional Division
Announcement Regarding the Adjustment of This Year’s Competition Format to Online Evaluation
Dear contestants, parents, and friends,
After careful consideration, the Organizing Committee hereby announces the following adjustment regarding the Lugano International Music Awards 2026 Violin Competition.
Due to a temporary change in the competition venue during this year’s event, as well as certain unforeseen and force majeure circumstances, some of the originally planned on-site competition rounds in Switzerland can no longer be carried out as initially scheduled.
After comprehensively assessing the overall competition arrangements, venue conditions, the rights and interests of the contestants, and all feasible alternatives, and in order to ensure that this year’s competition can proceed smoothly while maintaining fairness, impartiality, professionalism, and international standards in the evaluation process, the Organizing Committee has decided that:
The relevant rounds of this year’s competition will be adjusted to an online video evaluation format.
This adjustment concerns only the competition format. The international jury, evaluation standards, scoring methods, prize structure, scholarships, concert invitations, and all other related awards will remain unchanged and will continue to be implemented in accordance with the official competition regulations.
The Organizing Committee sincerely apologizes to all contestants, parents, and related parties for the adjustment caused by unforeseen circumstances, force majeure factors, and changes in venue conditions. We fully understand that every international competition represents the result of long-term dedication and preparation by the contestants, as well as an important and valuable artistic experience. We deeply regret that we are unable to meet you in Switzerland this year as originally planned.
Although the format of this year’s competition has been adjusted, the competition remains firmly committed to the principles of fairness, impartiality, professionalism, and international standards. The Organizing Committee will complete all evaluation work for this year’s competition with a rigorous and responsible attitude, ensuring that every contestant receives a fair, professional, and well-regulated international evaluation.
Future competitions, including the next edition, will proceed in the normal on-site format. We look forward to meeting outstanding young musicians from around the world in Switzerland again in the future, and to witnessing many more wonderful musical moments together.
For any questions, please contact the Organizing Committee through the official competition email address:
Thank you for your understanding, support, and trust.
Lugano International Music Awards Organizing Committee
Lugano International Music Awards
2026 Violin Competition
Professional Division
Competition Brochure
Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
Lugano, Switzerland
August 14–17, 2026
Application deadline
15th July
Competition
Lugano International Music Awards 2026 Violin Competition — Professional Division
Final Hall
Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana
Lugano, Switzerland
Announcement of Candidates Admitted to the On-site Rounds
July 18, 2026
Deadline for Piano Accompaniment Score Submission
July 22, 2026
Lugano Registration
August 13, 2026
Competition Dates
August 14–17, 2026
Application Fee
CHF 120
Contact
info@lismc.com
Application Page
https://www.lismc.com/index.php?m=home&c=View&a=index&aid=472
1. Competition Overview
The Lugano International Music Awards 2026 Violin Competition — Professional Division is designed for young violinists with advanced musical training, strong technical ability, and outstanding artistic potential.
The competition will be held in Lugano, Switzerland, at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana, one of Switzerland’s leading institutions for professional music education.
The Professional Division provides young musicians with an international platform to present their artistry, receive evaluation from distinguished musicians, and build meaningful connections with the European classical music scene.
The competition consists of three stages:
Online Preliminary Round
Semi-Final in Lugano
Final and Awards Ceremony in Lugano
2. Age Categories
Group A
12 years old and under
Group B
13–18 years old
Group C
19–29 years old
Contestants must meet the age requirements of the group for which they register.
3. Competition Format
First Round
Online Preliminary Round
The Preliminary Round will be conducted through video selection.
Candidates must submit a continuous, unedited performance video through the official application system before the application deadline.
Candidates who pass the Preliminary Round will be invited to participate in the on-site Semi-Final and Final rounds in Lugano.
Second Round
Semi-Final
The Semi-Final will be held live at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano.
Contestants must perform according to the repertoire requirements of their age group.
The Jury will select finalists based on the Semi-Final performances.
Third Round
Final and Awards Ceremony
The Final Round will be held live in Lugano.
Finalists will perform before the Jury and audience.
Prize winners will be announced after the Final Round, followed by the official Awards Ceremony.
4. Repertoire Requirements
Important Repertoire Rules
Each round must present different repertoire.
All repertoire must be confirmed before the registration deadline.
The Jury reserves the right to interrupt a performance if necessary.
The accompaniment format must be declared in advance.
Piano accompaniment scores must be submitted as clear and complete PDF files by July 22, 2026.
Group A
12 years old and under
Preliminary Round — Online
One étude, caprice, or free-choice work.
Semi-Final — Live in Lugano
One étude or caprice
One movement from a Bach concerto
Final — Live in Lugano
One free-choice work
One movement from a concerto
Group B
13–18 years old
Preliminary Round — Online
Two free-choice works, including:
One caprice or virtuoso piece
One movement from Bach’s unaccompanied violin works
Semi-Final — Live in Lugano
One étude or caprice
One movement from a work by Mozart, either sonata or concerto
Final — Live in Lugano
One free-choice work
One movement from a concerto
Group C
19–29 years old
Preliminary Round — Online
Two free-choice works, including:
One movement from Bach’s unaccompanied Sonatas or Partitas
One movement from a violin and piano sonata
Semi-Final — Live in Lugano
One movement from Bach’s unaccompanied violin works
The first movement of a violin and piano sonata
Final — Live in Lugano
One virtuoso work
The first movement of a 19th- or 20th-century violin concerto
5. Suggested Concerto List for Group C
Ludwig van Beethoven — Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61
Felix Mendelssohn — Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Max Bruch — Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Max Bruch — Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 44
Max Bruch — Scottish Fantasy, Op. 46
Camille Saint-Saëns — Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61
Camille Saint-Saëns — Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Édouard Lalo — Symphonie Espagnole, Op. 21
Henryk Wieniawski — Violin Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp minor, Op. 14
Henryk Wieniawski — Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 22
Niccolò Paganini — Violin Concerto No. 1 in D major, Op. 6
Niccolò Paganini — Violin Concerto No. 2 in B minor, Op. 7
Antonín Dvořák — Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 53
Johannes Brahms — Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky — Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Jean Sibelius — Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47
Alexander Glazunov — Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82
Henri Vieuxtemps — Violin Concerto No. 4 in D minor, Op. 31
Henri Vieuxtemps — Violin Concerto No. 5 in A minor, Op. 37
Henri Vieuxtemps — Violin Concerto No. 7 in A minor, Op. 49
Ferdinand David — Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
Karl Goldmark — Violin Concerto No. 1 in A minor, Op. 28
Joseph Joachim — Violin Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 11, “In the Hungarian Style”
Ernest Chausson — Poème, Op. 25
6. On-site Schedule
August 13, 2026
Contestant Registration
All contestants admitted to the Second Rounds must complete registration in Lugano.
Registration includes:
Identity confirmation
Collection of competition materials
Issuance of competition credentials
Confirmation of competition order
Confirmation of accompaniment arrangements
August 14, 2026
Rehearsal with Pianists
Official rehearsal day with assigned piano accompanists.
Rehearsal slots will be arranged by the Organizing Committee.
Contestants must attend rehearsals according to the official schedule.
August 15, 2026
Semi-Finals
The Semi-Final Round will be held as a live public performance.
Contestants will perform in the order determined by the Organizing Committee.
The Jury will announce the list of finalists after the Semi-Final Round.
August 16, 2026
Final Rehearsal
Finalists will have a stage rehearsal according to the official schedule.
August 17, 2026
Finals and Awards Ceremony
The Final Round will be held as a public performance.
Prize winners will be confirmed by the Jury after the Final Round.
The official Awards Ceremony will take place after the conclusion of the competition.
7. Awards
Official Prizes
Each age group may present the following prizes:
First Prize
Second Prize
Third Prize
All prize winners will receive:
Official Competition Certificate
Medal of Distinction
The Jury reserves the right not to award one or more prizes if the required artistic standard is not reached.
Special Academic Award
Outstanding Talent Award
The most outstanding candidate of the Professional Division may receive an official invitation to take the entrance examination of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana.
Upon successful enrolment, the candidate may receive a scholarship of CHF 3,000.
This award is granted at the discretion of the Jury.
Founder’s Award for Artistic Excellence
Sponsored by Zhen Xu
This award is presented to a candidate who demonstrates exceptional artistic individuality, interpretative depth, and distinctive musical vision.
Cash Prize: EUR 1,000
Additional Special Awards
Best Artistic Interpretation Award
Best Concerto Performance Award
Jury Special Mention
Concert Invitations
First Prize winners of each category will be invited to perform at the Opening Concert of the 2027 Competition.
Second and Third Prize winners will be invited to perform in the 2027 Festival Concert Series.
Concert invitations are subject to artistic planning and scheduling by the Organizing Committee.
8. Jury
President of the Competition
Christoph Brenner
Jury Members
Marco Rizzi
Zhen Xu
Additional jury members may be announced by the Organizing Committee.
9. Application Procedure
Candidates must complete the official online application form through the designated application portal.
The following materials must be submitted:
Completed application form
Valid passport or identification document
Preliminary-round video link
Full repertoire information, including composer, complete title, and opus number if applicable
Proof of payment of the application fee
Recent artistic or portrait photograph
Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Registration is confirmed only upon receipt of an official confirmation email from the Organizing Committee.
10. Application Fee
The application fee for the Professional Division is:
CHF 120
The application fee must be paid before submitting the application form.
Applications without confirmed payment will not be considered valid.
Once paid, the registration fee is non-refundable.
11. Payment Information
Please make the payment to the Competition by bank transfer.
When making the transfer, please indicate:
“LIMA + contestant name”
After completing the transfer, please keep a screenshot or payment receipt. It must be submitted together with the application form.
Account Holder
Fondazione Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana
Via Soldino 9
CH-6900 Lugano
Switzerland
Bank
Banca dello Stato del Cantone Ticino
Viale Henri Guisan 5
Casella postale 2027
CH-6501 Bellinzona
Switzerland
Account No.
3727664.001.001.001
SWIFT Code
BSCTCH22
IBAN
CH70007643727664C001C
Postal Account of Banca dello Stato
65-433-5
12. Video Submission Requirements
The Preliminary Round will be conducted through video selection.
The video must be recorded continuously and in full.
Editing, splicing, or post-production is not permitted.
The video must clearly show the performer and the complete performance process.
The video link must remain valid until the end of the competition.
Contestants must ensure that the submitted video is an authentic performance by themselves.
If any violation is discovered, the Organizing Committee reserves the right to cancel the contestant’s eligibility.
13. On-site Competition and Rehearsal Arrangements
Contestants admitted to the on-site rounds must attend official rehearsals and competition performances according to the schedule announced by the Organizing Committee.
Official piano accompaniment rehearsal times will be arranged by the Organizing Committee.
Contestants must submit piano accompaniment scores in advance in order to coordinate rehearsal arrangements.
Late arrival or absence from rehearsals or competition sessions may result in disqualification.
14. Accommodation, Meals and Transportation
Contestants admitted to the on-site rounds are responsible for their own round-trip transportation, accommodation, and meal expenses.
The Organizing Committee may provide information on partner hotels and local transportation for reference, but will not cover related costs.
15. General Regulations
The competition is open to violinists from all countries and regions, regardless of nationality.
Contestants must meet the age requirements of the group for which they register.
The competition will be judged by an international jury.
The decisions of the Jury are final and cannot be appealed.
The Jury reserves the right not to award one or more prizes.
Prizes may not be shared unless otherwise decided by the Jury.
The Organizing Committee reserves the exclusive right of final interpretation of the competition regulations and may amend the regulations when necessary.
By submitting the application, candidates confirm that they have read, understood, and fully accepted all rules and regulations of the Competition.
Failure to comply with the Competition rules may result in disqualification.
16. Media and Recording Rights
By registering for the competition, contestants agree that the Organizing Committee may photograph, record, broadcast, publish, and distribute audio and video materials of all competition performances.
These materials may be used for event promotion, official website publication, media communication, and archival purposes without additional compensation to the participants.
17. Insurance and Disclaimer
Contestants are responsible for purchasing their own personal accident insurance and medical insurance.
The Organizing Committee shall not be held legally responsible for accidental injury, illness, or property loss caused by personal reasons during the competition period.
Contact
For inquiries regarding the Professional Division application process, please contact: