REGULATION

• Article 1: The 2026 Young Violists Competition, organized by the French Viola Society, will take place from November 26 to 28, 2026, at the Maurice Ravel Municipal Conservatory of Paris's 13th Arrondissement (CMA 13), located at 67 Avenue Edison, 75013 Paris, France. ​

​

• Article 2: For the First and Second Cycle and CEM categories, the competition is open to students currently enrolled in a French music institution and who are 24 years of age or younger. 

​

• Article 3: For the DEM/CPES category, the competition is open to students currently enrolled in a DEM or CPES program at a French music institution and who are 26 years of age or younger. First and Second Prize winners of the previous year's competition are not eligible to enter the 2026 competition. 

​

• Article 4: For the Bachelor's Category, the competition is open to students currently enrolled in a Bachelor's-level program at a European music institution (including Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and who are 28 years of age or younger. First and Second Prize winners of the previous year's competition are not eligible to enter the 2026 competition. 

​

• Article 5: The registration fee is €35 for all categories. Registration automatically includes membership in the French Viola Society. Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable in the event of a candidate's withdrawal. 

​

• Article 6: A special family rate is available for families registering more than one child: €20 for each additional child. 

​

• Article 7: Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the participants. However, candidates are welcome to contact the organizers, who may be able to assist in finding accommodation solutions. 

​

• Article 8: An official accompanist will be provided for all works requiring piano accompaniment. 

​

• Article 9: For the First and Second Cycle and CEM categories, the competition consists of a single public round (free admission, subject to seating availability). The First and Second Cycle categories will take place on the morning of Saturday, November 28 (without piano rehearsals), while the CEM category will take place on the afternoon of Friday, November 27 (with piano rehearsals in the morning). Results and jury comments will be announced immediately following the performances. 

​

• Article 10: For the DEM/CPES and Bachelor's categories, the competition consists of two public rounds (free admission, subject to seating availability). The DEM/CPES First Round will take place on Thursday, November 26, with the Final Round on the afternoon of Friday, November 27. The Bachelor's First Round will take place on Friday, November 27, with the Final Round on the afternoon of Saturday, November 28. Results and jury comments will be provided at the conclusion of each First Round for candidates who do not advance to the Final Round. Final-round piano rehearsals will be scheduled immediately following the First Round for both categories. 

​

• Article 11: The competition schedule may be adjusted depending on the final number of applicants. Any changes will be communicated after the registration deadline. 

​

• Article 12: The performance order will be published on the French Viola Society website approximately 10 days to two weeks before the competition. The detailed schedule, warm-up rooms, and competition venues will also be published on the Society's website. 

​

• Article 13: Photocopies of copyrighted music are strictly prohibited in accordance with French copyright law. 

​

• Article 14: All works must be performed without repeats and without cadenzas. 

​

• Article 15: Candidates in the CEM, First Cycle, and Second Cycle categories are encouraged, whenever possible, to attend the Bachelor's Final Round on the afternoon of Saturday, November 28. A Young Violists' Prize will be awarded by the participants to one candidate in the Bachelor's category.

 

• Article 16: The Jury Members' Concert will take place on Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, and all candidates already present at the competition venue are invited to attend. 

​

• Article 17: The value of the prizes awarded to laureates will be announced at a later date. The French Viola Society reserves the right to modify both the number and value of prizes depending on sponsorship secured for the competition. 

​

• Article 18: The Jury reserves the right to stop a candidate during a performance and not to award all prizes.

       In the event of a dispute, the Jury Chair's vote shall be decisive. Jury decisions are final and not subject to            appeal. No complaints or challenges will be accepted. 

​

• Article 19: The registration deadline is November 5, 2026 (three weeks before the competition) for all categories. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, up to a limit of 20 applications for the Bachelor's Category.​​

 

• Article 20: The French Viola Society reserves the right to cancel the competition if an insufficient number of candidates register.