IYACC Hong Kong–Taiwan International Music Competition 2025 — Rules & Regulations

Key Dates (2025)

Hong Kong Region Preliminary — Live

• Application deadline: 27th October, 2025 (postmark accepted)
• Timeslot announcement: 30th October, 2025 (by email)
• Competition dates: 8th–9th November, 2025

Hong Kong Region Online Preliminary — Video

• Video submission deadline: 27th October, 2025, 23:59
• Results announcement: 17th November, 2025 (by email)

Taiwan Region Preliminary — Live (Taipei)

• Application deadline: 27th October, 2025 (postmark accepted)
• Timeslot announcement: 12th November, 2025 (by email)
• Competition date: 23rd November, 2025

Taiwan Region Online Preliminary — Video

• Video submission deadline: 27th October, 2025, 23:59
• Results announcement: 25th November, 2025 (by email)

Final Competition — Live in Taipei

• Registration deadline (Live or Online Finals, all finalists): 30th November, 2025
• Timeslot announcement: 4th December, 2025 (by email)
• Final Competition: 13th December, 2025
• Live Final venue: Sigfrid Art Center (齊格飛藝術中心), Taipei
• Winners’ Concert: 13th December, 2025, 16:00–19:00 at Steinway & Sons Taiwan (Final Champions will be invited to perform)

Online Final — Video

• Registration deadline: 30th November, 2025
• Results: 23rd December, 2025 (by email)

Competition Structure & Classes

• Tracks: (a) Preliminaries held in Hong Kong (Live), Taipei (Live), and Online (Video); (b) the Final Competition held Live in Taipei and Online (Video).
• Classes: Each instrument is judged separately. A class is defined by instrument + level/exam board (e.g., Flute Grade 1, ABRSM ; Oboe Grade 1, ABRSM are separate classes).
• Awards per class: Champion, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit; Certificates for participants. In case of tied marks, the same award may be given to more than one participant.

Venues — Live Preliminaries

• Hong Kong Region: Sky Music Studio, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong.
• Taiwan Region: Sigfrid Art Center (齊格飛藝術中心), Taipei.

Online Preliminary — Video

1. Performance video: Record a single-take performance that clearly shows the participant’s face and instrument for the entire piece within the time limit for the chosen class.
2. Recording flexibility: Any recording device/tools may be used. Location is not restricted. Sheet music and accompaniment are allowed but not required.
3. Quality: Ensure stable framing and good audio/video quality (recommended 720p or above). Portrait or landscape orientation is accepted.
4. No editing: Edited, spliced, overdubbed, or post-processed audio/video is not accepted. Adjusting input gain/levels on the device is permitted; external post-processing is not.
5. Deadlines: Video submission deadline is 27th October, 2025, 23:59. Results announced 17th November, 2025 (by email). If you do not receive the email, please check your junk folder first, then contact music@iyacc.org or WhatsApp +852 9261 9309 .
6. Application (by post): If applying by post, the deadline is 27th October, 2025 (based on postmark). Ensure sufficient postage; otherwise a $50 handling/administrative fee per letter will be charged.
7. How to submit (choose one): WhatsApp the video/link to +852 9261 9309; Email the video/link to music@iyacc.org ; Upload to YouTube (Unlisted) and email the link; Share a Google Drive link to WhatsApp +852 9261 9309. Include: Full English Name, Class, Contact Phone, and Prize Mailing Address.
8. Authenticity: The performance must be played live by the registered participant in the submitted video. Any misrepresentation or breach of rules results in disqualification.
9. Postage: Entry fees do not include any postage cost. Awards are sent via SF Express for all online competition winners; postage is paid by the recipient. No on‑site pick‑up. The organizer is not responsible for any loss or damage in transit.

Live Preliminaries — Hong Kong & Taiwan (Rules)

1. Venue capacity: Each participant may be accompanied by one adult (parent/guardian) into the venue. Entry is limited to the participant’s assigned timeslot; both must leave once the slot ends.
2. Enrollment: Limited quota; applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. No fees are charged for unsuccessful applications.
3. Deadlines: Application deadline is 27th October, 2025 (postmark accepted). Ensure sufficient postage; otherwise a $50 administrative fee per letter applies.
4. Schedule & notices: All timeslot announcements for live competitions are sent by email. If you do not see the email, please check your junk folder first, then contact music@iyacc.org or WhatsApp +852 9261 9309 .
5. Awards at Preliminaries: Champion, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Merit; Certificates for participants. Awards are non-transferable; no replacements for loss/damage. Winners may apply for an additional trophy for school display.

Awards & Marks Bands (per Class, 100-point scale)

Advancement to the Finals

• Who qualifies: Champion, 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up in each Preliminary class (Hong Kong Live, Taiwan Live, or Online) qualify for the Final Competition. Finalists must complete online registration and pay the finals fee by the stated deadline; failure to do so will result in automatic forfeiture of qualification.
• Two final tracks: Eligible finalists may choose one track – Live Final (Taipei, in‑person) or Online Final (Video). The tracks are independent; results/awards are not cross‑ranked.
• Marks-to-awards mapping: Finals follow the same marks table as the Preliminaries.

Live Final — Taipei (in‑person)

1. Registration deadline (Live or Online Final, all finalists): 30th November, 2025. Registration must be completed online and the finals fee paid by this date. Failure to do so results in automatic forfeiture of qualification.
2. Timeslots & date: Timeslots announced 4th December, 2025 (by email; check junk first, then contact music@iyacc.org / WhatsApp +852 9261 9309 if not received). Final Competition held 13th December, 2025.
3. Venue: Sigfrid Art Center (齊格飛藝術中心), Taipei.
4. Final registration method & detailed arrangements: Will be announced after the Preliminaries.
5. Participation: Joining the Finals is optional.
6. Judging: Conducted by the Competition’s official jury. Decisions are final and binding.
7. Awards: Same award structure and marks bands as Preliminaries, per class.
8. Winners’ Concert: 13th December, 2025, 16:00–19:00, at Steinway & Sons Taiwan. Final Champions (Champion per class) will be invited to perform.

Online Final — Video

1. Same jury: Online Final videos are evaluated by the same jury panel as the Live Final, using the same criteria.
2. Technical standards: Face and instrument must be clearly visible for the entire performance; stable framing; recommended 720p+; portrait or landscape orientation is accepted.
3. Registration deadline (Live or Online Final, all finalists): 30th November, 2025. Registration must be completed online and the finals fee paid by this date. Failure to do so results in automatic forfeiture of qualification.
4. Results: 23rd December, 2025 (by email). If you do not receive the email, please check your junk folder first, then contact music@iyacc.org or WhatsApp +852 9261 9309 .
5. Submission methods: Same as Online Preliminary (WhatsApp/Email/YouTube/Drive), with subject/message: “Online Final – [Full English Name] – [Class]”. Include Contact Phone and Prize Mailing Address.
6. Multiple classes: Finalists qualifying in multiple classes may enter the Online Final for each class. Each class requires a separate finals fee and a separate final-round video.
7. Postage: Entry fees do not include any postage cost. Awards are sent via SF Express for all online competition winners; postage is paid by the recipient. No on‑site pick‑up. The organizer is not responsible for any loss or damage in transit.

General Terms

1. Rule compliance: By registering, participants (or parents/guardians) agree to comply with all rules and organizer arrangements.
2. Amendments: The organizing committee may amend, add, or cancel any part of the Competition (including dates/venues) without prior notice. In case of dispute, the organizer’s decision is final.
3. Privacy & publicity: Personal data is kept confidential. The organization may use competition or winner information, photos, videos, and works for related promotional activities (publications, press releases, website, etc.).
4. Organizer’s decision: Judging decisions are final and binding. Any objections may result in disqualification. The organizing committee reserves the right to make final decisions regarding the competition.
5. Refunds: No refunds under any circumstances.