Competition rules

The 1st Chengdu International Clarinet Competition

The 1st Chengdu International Clarinet Competition

August 26–29, 2026 | Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Official Competition Dates: August 26-29, 2026 | Venue: Chengdu Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall

1. Competition Overview

Basic Information

  • Competition Name: The 1st Chengdu International Clarinet Competition
  • Official Dates: August 26-29, 2026 (Official Competition)
  • Venue: Chengdu Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall (No. 1500, Section 1, Beixing Avenue, Jinniu District, Chengdu, Sichuan)
  • Nature: International Professional Clarinet Competition

Competition Purpose

To build an exchange platform for international clarinetists, discover outstanding young musical talents, promote the global spread of clarinet art and Chinese local works, and facilitate the integration of Chinese and foreign music cultures.

2. Registration Guidelines

2.1 Eligibility

Open to all clarinetists born on or after January 1, 1990, regardless of nationality.

Contestants for the official competition must arrive and complete on-site check-in at Chengdu Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall before August 25, 2026.

2.2 Preliminary Round Materials

Contestants must submit the following materials:

  • Scanned copy of passport or ID card front page;
  • Biography (≤400 words): Including educational background, institutions attended, mentors, key performances/awards, etc.;
  • One recent personal photo (≤10MB, clear front-facing);
  • Proof of payment for the preliminary round registration fee;
  • Preliminary round video (submitted via WeTransfer account: han.wang.cdcc@foxmail.com).

2.3 Registration Fees

Fee Type Amount Payment Requirement
Preliminary Round Fee 100 EUR Paid upon registration; overdue payment is invalid
Official Competition Fee 60 EUR Paid by preliminary round qualifiers before March 31, 2026

Bank Transfer Info (EUR)

Beneficiary’s Bank China Merchants Bank, Head Office, Shenzhen, P.R.China
SWIFT Code CMBCCNBSXXX
Beneficiary’s A/C NO. 6226080280058089
Beneficiary WANG HAN
Beneficiary’s Address Huafudadao 518, Shuangliu District CHENGDU, SICHUAN, CHINA

2.4 Transportation & Accommodation

  • The Organizing Committee only provides recommendations for transportation and accommodation; all related expenses shall be borne by contestants;
  • International contestants must purchase personal health insurance for the duration of their stay in China and participation in the competition;
  • Contestants are fully responsible for their personal safety and the security of their belongings during the competition.

3. Competition Schedule

Key Timeline

Stage Time Content
Preliminary Registration By 20:00 (Beijing Time), Feb 28, 2026 Submit materials + Pay registration fee
Preliminary Result Announcement By Mar 15, 2026

Email notification to all applicants
Official Competition Confirmation & Payment By Mar 31, 2026 (Qualifiers); By Apr 15, 2026 (Alternates) Qualifiers confirm participation; alternates (49th-60th) get final notice
Official Competition Check-in Aug 25, 2026 On-site check-in at Chengdu Symphony Orchestra Concert Hall
Official Competition Aug 26-29, 2026 First Round (Aug 26-27) → Semi-Final (Aug 28) → Final (Aug 29)

Preliminary Round Rules

  • Selects a maximum of 48 candidates for the official competition (preliminary jury consists of international clarinet performers and educators);
  • If any of the top 48 candidates withdraw, replacements will be selected in order from candidates ranked 49th to 60th;
  • Video Requirements: Must clearly show the contestant’s full body (including hands and face), no cuts or edits, recorded indoors.

Preliminary Round Exemption

  • Candidates who have participated the final rounds of the following international clarinet competitions may submit their artistic resumes to the committee to apply for a preliminary round exemption, allowing them to advance directly to the formal competition.
  • (A maximum of 8 positions are available, and eligibility will be determined through joint deliberation by the chairman of the jury and the committee. Applications must be submitted before November 1st, 2025.)
  • International Clarinet Competition Ghent
  • Lisbon International Clarinet Competition
  • Mercadante International Clarinet Competition
  • Culj International Clarinet Competition
  • Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition, etc…

Official Competition Rules

  • The official competition consists of three rounds: First Round → Semi-Final → Final. Qualifiers for each round must participate in the next round; no replacements will be made;
  • All rounds are free and open to the public;
  • Results will be announced after each round. Jury decisions are final and unchangeable.

4. Competition Repertoire

Preliminary Round

Choose 1 piece (piano accompaniment required)

  1. Johan Stamitz – Clarinet Concerto in B-Flat Major, I. Allegro moderato
  2. Carl Stamitz – Clarinet Concerto No.3 in B-Flat Major, I. Allegro moderato
  3. Carl Stamitz – Clarinet Concerto No.11 in E-Flat Major, I. Allegro

First Round

Required Repertoire

  • W. A. Mozart – Concerto in A major, KV622, Movement 1 (Exposition)

Choose 1 piece from the following

  • B.Mantovani – Bug
  • F.Donatoni – Clari, Movement 1
  • Igor Stravinsky – Three Pieces
  • Béla Kovács – Hommage à R. Strauss
  • H. Sutermeister – Capriccio
  • G. Miluccio – Rhapsodie

Semi-Final

Required Repertoire (Chinese Work)

  • Ziyang Wen – Immerse in Bashu 2, III. Jin Cheng Impression

Choose 1 piece from the following

  • J. Brahms – Sonata No.1, Op.120 Nr.1
  • J. Brahms – Sonata No.2, Op.120 Nr.2
  • R. Schumann – Three Romances, Op.94
  • R. Schumann – Fantasy Pieces, Op.73

Final Round

Required Repertoire (1)

  • L. van Beethoven – Trio for Clarinet, Cello and Piano, Op. 11, Movement 1

Required Repertoire (2)

  • Claude Debussy – Première Rhapsodie

Choose 1 piece from the following

  • F. Poulenc – Sonata
  • L. Bernstein – Sonata
  • Arnold Bax – Sonata

5. Awards & Prizes

Main Awards

Rank Prize Money Additional Qualification
1st Place €5,000 Direct qualification for the main competition of the 2027 Ghent International Clarinet Competition
2nd Place €1,000 Direct qualification for the main competition of the 2027 Ghent International Clarinet Competition
3rd Place €500 Direct qualification for the main competition of the 2027 Ghent International Clarinet Competition
4th Place €200 Direct qualification for the semi-finals of the 2027 Lisbon International Clarinet Competition
5th Place €200 Direct qualification for the semi-finals of the 2027 Lisbon International Clarinet Competition
6th Place €200 Direct qualification for the semi-finals of the 2027 Lisbon International Clarinet Competition

Special Awards

  • Best Performance of a Chinese Work: €200
  • Best Chamber Music Performance: €200
  • Most Promising Talent: €200

Note: All awards are subject to potential updates prior to the commencement of the competition; the Organizing Committee’s final notice shall prevail.

6. Jury & Piano Accompaniment

Jury Panel

  • Composed of internationally renowned clarinetists and professional music educators;
  • Jury decisions are final and no appeals will be accepted;

Piano Accompaniment

  • The Competition Committee provides official piano accompanists without charge;
  • Rehearsal Time: 15 minutes for the First Round, 30 minutes for the Semi-Final and Final respectively;
  • Contestants may bring their own accompanists, with prior notice to the Organizing Committee.

7. Privacy & Disputes

Privacy Policy

  • Contestants’ personal information is exclusively used for this competition and managed by the Organizing Committee;
  • The Organizing Committee will never disclose contestants’ personal data to other institutions or organizations without individual authorization;
  • Contestants may request to view, correct, or delete their personal information at any time;
  • Photos and biographies of contestants advancing to the official competition will be published on the competition’s official website.

Dispute Resolution

  • Only disputes that comply with China’s relevant laws and regulations will be accepted;
  • The Organizing Committee retains the recording rights during the competition; contestants must voluntarily waive relevant rights;
  • Completing registration means the contestant fully accepts all rules and regulations of this competition.

8. Contact Us

Organizing Committee Contact

Email: [han.wang.cdcc@foxmail.com]

Phone: [+86 13981308608]

Official Website: [clarinetcompetitionchengdu.com]

© 2026 The 1st Chengdu International Clarinet Competition Organizing Committee. All Rights Reserved.