COMPETITION REGULATIONS

XVI AMIGDALA International Music Competition

memorial "Giuseppe Raciti"

For Piano/Piano Four Hands, Strings, Wind Instruments, Guitar and Plucked String Instruments, Harp, Chamber Music, Folk/Pop/Jazz, Choirs, Accordion, Composition and Classical Singing

LIVE Edition 2027

DEADLINE April 20, 2027

The competition will take place from May 4 to May 8, 2027
Venues: Teatro "Leonardo Sciascia" and Palazzo "Recupero-Cutore"
Aci Bonaccorsi (Catania - Sicily - Italy)

Gala Concert: Saturday, May 9, 2027

Registration deadline: April 20, 2027

The final schedule will be published on April 27, 2027

COMPETITION REGULATIONS

The Amigdala Cultural Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to discovering talented musicians from around the world through competitions and other performance opportunities. Our goal is to promote musical culture and foster social, cultural, and artistic exchange.

Article 1
The competition is open to musicians of all nationalities with no age limits.

Article 2
The competition is divided into the following SECTIONS:

Section 1: Piano 

Section 2: Strings

Section 3: Wind Instruments (Soloists and Ensembles)

Section 4: Guitar, Mandolin, Lute and all Plucked String Instruments (Soloists and Ensembles)

Section 5: Accordion

Section 6: Chamber Music (up to 10 performers), including Piano Duet

Section 7: Harp (Soloists and Ensembles)

Section 8: Classical Singing (Soloists and Ensembles up to 4 performers)

Section 9: Composition

Section 10: Choral Ensembles

Section 11: Folk, Pop, Jazz (Soloists and Mixed Ensembles)

Article 3

CATEGORIES AND ENTRY FEES

Each category has specific performance time limits. The committee reserves the right to stop competitors exceeding these limits.

For the purposes of category assignment, the participant's age is determined as of the date of submission of the registration form.

SECTION 1 is divided into the following categories:

Pulcini Category: born on or after 01/01/2020 – free-choice programme, max. 5 minutes – entry fee €40.00

Category A: born on or after 01/01/2016 – free-choice programme, max. 8 minutes – entry fee €45.00

Category B: born on or after 01/01/2013 – free-choice programme, max. 10 minutes – entry fee €50.00

Category C: born on or after 01/01/2010 – free-choice programme, max. 13 minutes – entry fee €55.00

Category D: born on or after 01/01/2007 – free-choice programme, max. 15 minutes – entry fee €60.00

Category E: born on or after 01/01/2004 – free-choice programme, max. 23 minutes – entry fee €65.00

Category F: no age limit – free-choice programme, minimum 20 minutes, maximum 30 minutes – entry fee €75.00

SECTIONS 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 - These sections are divided into the following categories:

Pulcini Category: born on or after 01/01/2020 – free-choice programme, max. 5 minutes – entry fee €40.00

Category A: born on or after 01/01/2016 – free-choice programme, max. 8 minutes – entry fee €45.00

Category B: born on or after 01/01/2013 – free-choice programme, max. 10 minutes – entry fee €50.00

Category C: born on or after 01/01/2010 – free-choice programme, max. 13 minutes – entry fee €55.00

Category D: born on or after 01/01/2007 – free-choice programme, max. 15 minutes – entry fee €60.00

Category E: born on or after 01/01/2004 – free-choice programme, max. 23 minutes – entry fee €65.00

Category F: no age limit – free-choice programme, minimum 20 minutes, maximum 30 minutes – entry fee €75.00

For the "Nino Belfiore" prize (Winds section only), competitors must select one piece from the designated list. enter

SECTION 6 – is divided into the following categories (the average age of the ensemble shall be considered):

Category G1: born on or after 01/01/2012 – free-choice programme, max. 8 minutes – entry fee €40.00 per participant

Category G2: born on or after 01/01/2000 – free-choice programme, max. 12 minutes – entry fee €40.00 per participant

Category G3: no age limit – free-choice programme, max. 20 minutes – entry fee €45.00 per participant

Ensembles consisting of more than 5 members shall pay an entry fee of €30.00 per participant.

The entry fee must be paid in a single payment.

For the "Nino Belfiore" prize, competitors must select one piece from the designated list. enter

Ensembles entered in the Chamber Music category may request the presence of an accompanist pianist exclusively for the performance of piano reductions (orchestral parts).

Such accompanist pianist shall not be considered a member of the ensemble for the purposes of participation and evaluation.

SECTION 8 – is divided into the following categories:

Category A: Junior Voices (Children's Voices) – free-choice programme, max. 8 minutes – entry fee €50.00

Category B: born on or after 01/01/1999 – free-choice programme, max. 10 minutes – entry fee €70.00

Category C: no age limit – free-choice programme, max. 15 minutes – entry fee €75.00

SECTION 9 – is divided into the following categories:

Young Category: (born on or after 01/01/2009) – one composition, max. 7 minutes, for any instrumental or vocal ensemble – entry fee €75.00

Category C1: one composition for solo instrument, approximately 10 minutes in duration – entry fee €75.00

Category C2: one composition for chamber music ensemble, approximately 10 minutes in duration – entry fee €75.00

Category C3: one composition for orchestra or choir, approximately 10 minutes in duration – entry fee €75.00

Compositions, in PDF format or in printed form, must be submitted to the Competition Secretariat together with the registration.

To ensure anonymity during the evaluation process, the score must not contain the name of the composer.

The audition is not public.

The compositions will not be published, in order to protect copyright.

The results will be published on this website by 11 May 2026, and winners awarded 100/100 (Absolute First Prize) will be included in the Competition Hall of Fame.

The awarding of the "Giuseppe Cantone Prize" will be announced during the Final Gala. The presence of the winning candidate is not required.

SECTION 10 – is divided into the following categories:

Category G1 – Children's Choirs
This category includes choirs composed exclusively of children's voices (up to approximately 12 years of age).
Free-choice programme – maximum 15 minutes.
Entry fee: €10 per participant up to a maximum of 8 participants; from the 9th participant onwards, €8 per additional participant.

Category G2 – Youth Choirs
This category includes choirs composed of singers aged between 12 and 18 years.
Free-choice programme – maximum 20 minutes.
Entry fee: €12 per participant up to a maximum of 8 participants; from the 9th participant onwards, €10 per additional participant.

Category G3 – Adult and Mixed Choirs
This category includes choirs composed of adult singers and/or mixed ensembles.
Free-choice programme – maximum 20 minutes.
Entry fee: €15 per participant up to a maximum of 8 participants; from the 9th participant onwards, €10 per additional participant.

SECTION 11 – is divided into the following categories:

Category A (Soloists): born on or after 01/01/2013 – free-choice programme, max. 10 minutes – entry fee €50.00

Category B (Soloists): no age limit – free-choice programme, max. 15 minutes – entry fee €60.00

Category G1 (Groups): free-choice programme, max. 20 minutes – entry fee €15 per participant up to a maximum of 8 participants; from the 9th participant onwards, €10 per additional participant.

Participation in the event requires the payment of an entry fee. This fee is solely intended to cover the organizational costs of the competition, necessary for the realization of the event. The entry fee is not a payment for a service and does not imply an obligation of reimbursement, nor does it confer any rights to the participants other than the right to take part in the event.

ACCOMPANYING PIANIST

Competitors must arrange their own accompanist if necessary. For those who need one, the competition management provides an official accompanist, who is required, without expecting anything in return, to accompany the winners to the final evening and the possible prize concert. Those wishing to use this service must indicate it on the registration form and attach a copy of the piano score. 

The fee for the accompanying pianist must be paid upon arrival at the secretary's office.

€30.00 – Sections 2 - 3 categories Pulcini, A, B, C

€40.00 – Sections 2 - 3 categories D, E

€50.00 – Sections 2 - 3 category F

€50.00 – Section 8, all categories

€60.00 – Section 6, all categories

Article 4

The final calendar will be published on April 27, 2027, on the website: www.amigdalainternationalcompetition.it 

Article 5

REGISTRATION

All competitors can participate in multiple sections and categories by contributing the respective participation fee.

Additionally, by contributing the corresponding registration fee, they can participate in the ONLINE Amigdala Competition.

The pieces to be performed must be original (transcriptions or arrangements of the composer's original work are not allowed).

Upon arrival at the competition venue, competitors must present an identification document at the registration desk and, before their performance, submit two copies of the scores to be performed to the jury.

Candidates will perform in alphabetical order according to the final schedule, which will be announced on April 27, 2027, on: www.amigdalainternationalcompetition.it 

The competition organizers reserve the right to make changes to the final schedule. Competitors who have already registered will be notified via email in case of any schedule modifications.

Article 6

The jury, with an international profile, is composed of professors from conservatories and music institutions, renowned musicians from various fields of the music world, as well as the President of LIBERA AMIGDALA APS and the Artistic Director of the competition.

Members of the jury must refrain from voting in case of family ties and/or ongoing or past teaching relationships within the two years preceding the competition.

The decisions of the judging panel are final, unappealable, and definitive.

The jury members participate in the event as expert volunteers, contributing their presence and expertise free of charge.

The judgment is communicated at the end of each category and is calculated in hundredths by averaging the scores given by the jury members.

Article 7

The Organization reserves the right to make amendments to the present regulations or to cancel the event, in which case all fees paid at the time of registration will be fully refunded.
It is specified that, for registrations already completed, no refund of the fee will be granted in the event of withdrawal by the participant.

Article 8

We consider First Absolute Prize those who will obtain 100/100

We consider First Prize those who will obtain from 95 to 99

We consider Second Prize those who will obtain from 90 to 94

We consider Third Prize those who will obtain from 85 to 89

We consider Fourth Prize those who will obtain from 80 to 84

All awarded participants awarded 100/100 will receive a diploma of Merit, a cup and a prize during the Final Gala

Candidates awarded from 80/100 to 99/100 will be receive the Diploma of Merit

Candidates with a score lower than 80/100 will receive a Certificate of Participation

The Gala Concert

will be held on Saturday, May 9th, 2027 at 5.30 p.m.

"L. SCIASCIA" Theatre

via Garibaldi, 44 - Aci Bonaccorsi

Study Venues
Candidates may rehearse at the Palazzo Recupero-Cutore (Via Etnea 33, Aci Bonaccorsi, Catania – Sicily, Italy).
For information regarding access times and room availability, please contact the competition office.

During the Closing Gala, the Prizes

All the absolute first winners chosen must be present at the Awarding Ceremony.

The same cannot demand any financial claims for their execution and for any possible " Award Concerts".

In the respect of the Music and of the Committee, the candidates are invited to wear appropriate clothing at the Final Gala

The Association is not responsible for thefts and accidents to persons and/or belongings, neither during the journey nor throughout the duration of the competition.

Registration for the Competition implies acceptance of all the rules contained in the regulation.

In case of dispute, the Italian version of the regulations shall prevail.

Article 9

The event does not fall within the scope of contests or prize competitions, pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 1 of DPR 430/2001. Prizes awarded to the winners will be paid net of any applicable withholdings, if required.

ORGANIZING COMMITTEE:
The Directive LIBERA AMIGDALA APS
Prof.ssa Maria Grazia Palermo Chairwoman
Ing. Giovanni Faro Vice-Chairman
Dott. Tommaso Stasi Secretary

Prof.ssa Antonella Scuderi Artistic Director
scuderiantonella59@hotmail.com 
tel. 338 1140344

M° Yoshiaki Shibata Honorary member of LIBERA AMIGDALA APS, Artistic Coordinator of the "Strings" and "Chamber Music" sections for AMIGDALA International Music Competition

M° Jena Chun-Wah Pang Honorary member of LIBERA AMIGDALA APS

SECRETARIAT:
Via Sottotenente Scuderi, 69
95029 Viagrande CT

tel. 338 1140344 - 348 0063108
info@amigdalaweb.it