The Cordaviva Music Competition (Due November 15, 2026)

Win $100 to support your musical journey

Are you a high school musician in grades 9–12? Share your love for music, show us your best playing, and enter for a chance to win a $100 prize to help you buy the materials you need—like sheet music, strings, reeds, and more.

About the Competition

Cordaviva Music’s Online Music Competition is designed to celebrate dedicated high school musicians in grades 9–12. This competition gives you a chance to share your musical voice, gain performance experience, and receive feedback from highly qualified teachers and performers.

Regardless of placement, all competitors will receive written feedback from the judges on their submissions.

eligibility & Rules

Eligibility

Open to all high school students currently in grades 9–12 in the United States
You may enter on any instrument or voice (classical, jazz, or contemporary styles are welcome)

Rules

Submit one unedited video recording, at least 2 minutes long
We must be able to see your face and your whole instrument/clearly see that you are playing
Accompaniment is allowed but not required
Only one entry per student
This is a solo-only competition. Videos must feature exactly one performer (excluding your accompanist). No ensembles or groups are allowed.

How to Enter

Fill out the competition entry form. The "Submit Your Entry" button on the top of this page will take you there.
Record a clear video of yourself performing your selected piece (Must be at least 2 minutes long)
Upload your video to YouTube either as "Unlisted" or "public" or Google Drive with the setting "anyone with the link can view."
Paste the shareable link into the entry form, making sure your video is set for anyone with the link to view.
Submit your entry by November 1.
You’ll receive a confirmation email once your entry has been received.

Prize

There will be one first-place winner. The winner will receive:

$100 to support their musical journey

This prize is meant to help you buy the materials you need to keep growing as a musician, such as:

Sheet music and books
Strings, reeds, and other supplies
Accessories that support your practice and performance

What instruments and styles are allowed?
You may submit on any instrument or voice. Classical, jazz, and contemporary styles are all welcome.

Can I enter as an ensemble?

No, this is a solo-only competition.

How long should my video be?
Your performance video should be at least 2 minutes.

Can I use an accompanist or backing track?
Yes. Live accompaniment or a backing track is allowed but not required.

How will the winner be chosen?
Judges will evaluate tone, technique, musicality, and overall presentation + written paragraph.