The 2nd Khachaturian International Youth Competition
China · Beijing 2026

The Khachaturian International Competition is an annual international celebration of classical music. Established in commemoration of the outstanding artistic creativity of the great composer Aram Khachaturian and his significant contributions to world musical culture, the inaugural competition was successfully held on June 6, 2003. In 2013, the Competition was officially admitted to the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), headquartered in Geneva, gaining wide international recognition for its authority and professional standards.

Since the adult competition system was formally introduced to China in 2023, followed by the successful launch of the first Youth Competition in 2024, the Khachaturian International Competition has rapidly developed into a highly influential platform for youth classical music in China and the broader Asia-Pacific region. The Competition's three consecutive successful presentations in China have not only laid a solid foundation for its long-term development but also further highlighted China's pivotal role as a key hub in international artistic and cultural exchange.

In 2026, the Competition will undergo a comprehensive upgrade, establishing a high-level framework for international collaboration. This milestone marks a new phase of deepened development for the Khachaturian International Competition as an international music brand in China. The current edition is once again co-organized by the Khachaturian Foundation and Jingse (Beijing) International Education & Technology Co., Ltd., with continued guidance and support from the Ministry of Culture of Armenia, the National Centre for the Performing Arts of China (NCPA), and the embassies in China of two Central Asian countries.

The range of disciplines has been further expanded, and the competition structure has become more comprehensive. Building on the successful continuation of the three core categories introduced in 2024—violin, piano, and cello—this year officially introduces viola and chamber music as new competition categories. Together, these form five major competition tracks, encompassing string performance, keyboard performance, and ensemble artistry. The inclusion of the viola fills a crucial gap within the string competition framework, while the chamber music category places particular emphasis on the cultivation of collaborative spirit and integrated artistic competence.

The selection system spans the globe, fostering cross-regional artistic dialogue. For this edition, competition divisions are established across North America, Europe, Asia, Armenia, and multiple regions of China, with regional rounds held from July to September 2026. Finalists will then converge in Beijing in November for the Grand Final. This structure significantly enhances the Competition's international reach and level of participation, effectively embodying its core philosophy of "music without borders."

Public engagement channels have been expanded, further promoting the dissemination of classical music. By introducing online voting and the Audience Choice Award, the Competition incorporates public perspectives alongside professional adjudication. Audiences worldwide are able to watch performances online and cast their votes, extending the Competition's interactive reach and significantly enhancing the social visibility and cultural impact of classical music.

An international music platform integrating competition, education, and exchange has been created. Guided by the principles of professionalism, openness, and development, the Second Khachaturian International Youth Competition 2026 is now officially open for applications worldwide. We look forward to joining partners and audiences across the globe in witnessing the growth and flourishing of the next generation of musical talent.

Group Classification Rules (Violin · Viola · Cello · Piano):

1. Participants in the lower category can register for the higher category, while participants in the higher category cannot register for the lower category.
2. Participants in the Non-Professional group can register to participate in the professional group, but participants in the professional group cannot participate in the Non-Professional group.
3. Junior high school and high school students studying in music majors in primary schools affiliated with professional music conservatories, middle schools affiliated with professional music conservatories, art colleges, and comprehensive universities are not allowed to participate in the Non-Professional group.
4. Participants in the string category must perform with piano accompaniment. Candidates advancing to the next round are required to collaborate exclusively with the pianist assigned by the competition.
5. Non-professional string participants are encouraged to play with a pianist, but the use of accompaniment tapes is not allowed. Finalists must collaborate with a pianist.

Group Classification Rules (Chamber Music):

1. Participants in the lower category can register for the higher category, while participants in the higher category cannot register for the lower category.
2. Participants in the Non-Professional group can register to participate in the professional group, but participants in the professional group cannot participate in the Non-Professional group.
3. Any ensemble that includes one or more of the following individuals shall be ineligible for the Non-Professional Ensemble Groups: students enrolled in the primary or secondary school affiliated to a professional conservatory; junior or senior high school students majoring in music at an arts academy or a comprehensive university; and practitioners from professional art troupes, music conservatories and music education institutions.
4. Each member of an ensemble shall submit registration materials individually. Each ensemble must appoint a team leader to liaise with the Organizing Committee.
5. The registration of an ensemble shall be deemed successful only after all its members have completed the registration procedure.

1) Global Preliminary Round

The Global Preliminary Round consists of Regional Rounds and an Online Round. Participants are generally required to compete in the designated Regional Round according to the competition arrangements. Candidates who are unable to attend a Regional Round due to special circumstances must participate in the Global Online Preliminary Round. Successful candidates from the Preliminary Round will advance to the Qualifying Round.

2) Qualifying and Final Rounds

The competition schedule is organized according to category. The Non-Professional Group consists of a Final Round only. The Professional Group includes First Round, Semi-Final Round, and Final Round, with participants required to advance round by round in order to continue in the competition.

1. All participants must strictly follow the requirements of the regulations, fill in the registration information completely and accurately, and ensure its authenticity. Participants bear full responsibility for the authenticity and accuracy of the information they report, including age, category, repertoire, and other details. Any submission of false or erroneous information will be treated as a violation, and the organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify the participant from the competition; all resulting consequences shall be borne by the participant.
2. All participants must perform works in compliance with genre norms and complete the performance within the specified time limit; they may decide on their own whether to repeat a section of the performance. Timing starts when the participant steps on stage and ends when their own performance is finished.
3. All participants must perform the entire competition repertoire. The judges have the right to stop the performance during the global preliminary, which will not affect the competition results. For all rounds after advancement, the judges are not permitted to stop or interrupt the participants' performance during their play.
4. Participants must bring valid documents for on-site verification, such as an ID card, household registration booklet, or passport. Those who fail to arrive on time will be deemed to have waived their right to participate, and the organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify such participants from the competition.
5. Online preliminary competition participants are required to perform the specified repertoire in full. Recordings must be a single take with no editing. No information, subtitles, or logos that could identify the participant may appear in the recording or playback; any materials containing such identifying elements will be deemed invalid.
6. The final performances of the Professional Group will be accompanied by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, the official orchestra of this competition.
7. All competition sites for this competition are open to the public. The entire process of the global official competition for the Professional Group will be broadcast live online by "Khachaturian International Competition", "Today's Music" and "Amadeus.tv", and rebroadcast by other media. The live broadcast will continue until the end of the performance of the last participant on each competition day. The broadcasting rights of the entire competition and its various rounds, as well as all audio and video recordings and their subsequent usage rights, belong to the organizing committee.
8. The organizing committee holds the ownership of all video, photography, and image content related to the competition and can use them for competition-related publicity during the preparation, holding, and after the competition without paying any remuneration to the participants.
9. The Jury Committee reserves the full right to adjust the number of award places or allocate them among candidates. The decisions of the Jury Committee are final, and participants shall not file an appeal.
10. Score tabulation and result verification shall be conducted by designated staff from the organizing committee, and no other personnel may intervene. Participants' scores in each round are the final decisions of the Jury Committee, and participants shall not request score checks or file appeals.
11. After the advancement results of each round are announced, all participants who fail to advance will receive the Jury Committee's comments on their performances.
12. The prize money received by winning participants is pre-tax, and such participants shall pay personal income tax in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
13. All participants are requested to keep abreast of the official WeChat Official Account of the competition – "Khachaturian International Music Competition" – and the official website: https://www.khachaturiancompetition-cn.com/ for all relevant competition information and notices.
14. The organizing committee reserves the right to adjust certain provisions within one month prior to the start of the global preliminary competitions.
15. The organizing committee holds the final adjudication right for this competition.
16. The organizing committee has the right to revise all matters related to the competition. In the event of severe weather, force majeure events or other special circumstances, it may adjust the competition schedule or cancel the competition on the relevant day until further notice.

Piano Chamber Music Ensemble

• A. Piano Four Hands Ensemble
  Category Definition: A chamber music formation performed by two musicians on one single piano.
  Instrumentation: 1 piano | Number of Performers: 2
• B. Two Pianos Ensemble
  Category Definition: A chamber music formation performed by two musicians on two separate pianos.
  Instrumentation: 2 pianos | Number of Performers: 2
• C. Piano Trio
  Performance Format: Piano + String Instruments; 3 performers per Ensemble
• D. Piano Quartet
  Performance Format: Piano + String Instruments; 4 performers per Ensemble
• E. Piano Quintet
  Performance Format: Piano + String Instruments; 5 performers per Ensemble
• F. Other Piano & String Ensembles
  Performance Format: Piano + String Instruments; 2 to 15 performers per Ensemble, including chamber music combinations in Sonata form.

String Quartet

• Category Definition: Standard string quartet formation.
• Instrumentation: 2 violins + 1 viola + 1 cello.

String Ensemble

• Category Definition: String only chamber music ensemble, composed exclusively of string instruments, without piano, woodwinds, brass or other instruments.
• Ensemble Forms: Duet, Trio, Quartet, and larger string ensembles. Performance of any sonata works is not permitted.
• Number of Performers: Minimum 2, maximum 15 performers per Ensemble.

Applications may be submitted via two official channels: the Official Organizing Committee email and the official Khachaturian International Music Competition mini program.

1. Submit an application through the official organizing committee email:

Participants applying to participate should submit the following documents:

1. Copy of ID card or passport (JPEG or PDF format)
2. Autobiography in Chinese and English (Microsoft Word format)
3. One high-resolution artistic photo (minimum size 2Mb, JPEG format) for use in contest promotional materials
4. Registration application form (download via QR code below)

Non-Professional Group Registration Form

Scan the QR code to download

Professional Group Registration Form

Scan the QR code to download

Non-Professional Group Registration Form

Scan the QR code to download

Professional Group Registration Form

Scan the QR code to download

5) Online preliminary competition participants must submit the following materials:

• a. A fully completed and error-free application form
• b. Entries that meet the competition requirements
• c. Registration fee and valid proof of payment

6) Proof of registration fee payment must be sent together with other documents and videos (for non-Chinese participants). Fees are non-refundable.

7) Participants from China will participate in the global preliminary competitions in Regional Qualifying Zones Worldwide.

Please send all the information of the contestants to the organizing committee's email address:
info@khachaturiancompetition-cn.com

2. Registration for the 2026 Khachaturian International Youth Competition will open on 17 February 2026. Applicants must complete the registration form and submit the required fee via the official Khachaturian International Music Competition mini-program.

Note: Participants registering for the Solo Competition may also enter the Chamber Music Competition. For the Chamber Music Competition, you may sign up for multiple categories, but only one group is permitted per category.

1. When accepting registration, the competition organizing committee will collect the personal information of the participants to meet certain program needs of the competition. Personal information is stored in reliable databases. Only the following details about the entrant will be published: name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, resume, photo, personal website and social media profiles.
2. By submitting a competition application, entrants confirm their acceptance of all conditions of the competition.
3. After receiving the official invitation letter from the competition, non-Chinese contestants should apply for a visa to the Chinese embassy or consulate in their country.

*The competition reserves the right to reject applications that do not comply with the rules of the competition. When the competition requires more information, entrants may be asked to provide supplementary information.

Violin · Viola · Cello · Piano

Chamber Music

Proof of payment must be sent together with other documents and footage. Fees are non-refundable. Please indicate "[Your name] and the cost of participating in the 2026 Khachaturian International Youth Competition" in the payment remarks column.

Sergey Smbatyan

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