Overview 

The Baipu International Music Competition, established by the Stanford Baipu Chinese Music Group (SBCMG), is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange, elevating global appreciation for Chinese music and art, and igniting artistic creativity within communities. This prestigious competition aspires to create a dynamic and enriching platform where students and professionals can connect, inspire, and illuminate their musical talents, transcending borders and uniting audiences worldwide. The competition will take place over two rounds of online competition (First Round and Final Round), culminating in a Winners Concert to celebrate outstanding performances.

Eligibility 

The Baipu International Music Competition warmly welcomes musicians and enthusiasts from all backgrounds, providing a stage for artistic excellence and cultural exchange. The competition is structured into distinct competition groups determined by age for solo and ensemble competitions (Details available in Sept, 2025) , ensuring a fair and enriching experience for all participants. To uphold the spirit of growth and progression, first-place winners from each year may only re-enter in a higher age category, with the exception of ensemble performances.  

Competition Category

Solo Competition for Solo Mastery Award: Guzheng, Chinese Woodwinds, Guqin, Pipa, Erhu, Yangqin

• Repertoire requirements: one traditional repertoire and one contemporary repertoire 

• Group (age of contestant as May 1, 2025)

  • Group A: 14 and under

  • Group B: 15-18

  • Group C: 19-35

  • Group D: 35+

Ensemble Competition for Ensemble Synergy Award: 2-12 people ensemble of any of combination with at least one of the instruments listed in solo competition 

• Repertoire requirements: one traditional repertoire and one contemporary repertoire 

• Group (age of contestant as May 1, 2025, if any one musician in an ensemble is 19 years old and older, then that ensemble will be part of Group B)

  • Group A: 18 and under

  • Group B: 19+

Prize and Awards:

• Solo Competition for Solo Mastery Award: Winners from each Group in the solo Category will be awarded the following: 

  • 1st through 3rd place: e-certificate;

    • 1st place – one spot ; 2nd place – two spots; 3rd – three spots

  • Performance awards: e-certificate; 

  • Honorable places: e-certificate; and

  • All Winners’ instructors will receive the e-certificate of recognition

• Ensemble Competition for Ensemble Synergy Award: Each member of the Winning ensemble from each Group in the ensemble Category will be awarded the following: 

  • 1st through 3rd place: e-certificate;

    • 1st place – one spot ; 2nd place – two spots; 3rd – three spots

  • Performance awards: e-certificate; 

  • Honorable places: e-certificate; and

  • All Winners’ instructors will receive the e-certificate of recognition

Competition Dates and Location

• Online Application Opens: Sept, 2025

  • First Round Panel Review: Oct, 2025; Contestant selected for Final round will be announced on www.baipumusic.org  

  • Final Round Panel Review and Announcement: Nov-Dec, 2025; Winners will be announced on www.baipumusic.org  

• First Place Winner Concert and Award Ceremony at Stanford: Spring-Summer 2026

  • Winners will receive the concert invitation via email submitted in competition application in Spring 2026. 

  • Location: To be announced in Spring 2026

Application Process & Fees

1. Registration portal will open in Sept, 2025 on  www.baipumusic.org. Please note that no late registrations will be accepted. 

2. Please submit the following documents upon online registration:

   1. Completed Registration Form

   2. YouTube or Youku video link(s) showcasing your performance base on the following requirements of the competition category

      1. Each repertoire must have its own video link (for the avoidance of doubt, there is no need to provide a self-introduction or announce the repertoire at the beginning of the video); 

      2. The videos must be uploaded to the third-party channel designated by SBCMG (e.g., YouTube or Youku) as “unlisted”;

      3. The videos must be recorded in 2025 and must not be edited;

      4. The videos should be a single take with clear visuals and sound quality;

      5. The performances must be memorized (for the avoidance of doubt, any performances not memorized will not be scored); and

      6. Formal attire (including shoes) must be worn.

      7. The videos must be recorded against a clean, uncluttered background. A plain, solid-color backdrop or a concert hall setting preferred. Avoid messy or distracting environments. 

3. Application Fee ($USD):

              Solo Mastery Award

• $150 per contestant, per category

              Ensemble Synergy Award

• $80 per contestant in the ensemble

General Rules

• Past first-prize winners in the same competition group are not eligible to participate again in that group.

• Repertoire selection cannot be changed after the submission deadline.

• The panel of judges will determine the list of winners for each category. If no contestant meets the required standard, the judges reserve the right to withhold the award. All decisions made by the judges are final. Any attempt to discuss competition matters or directly contact judges will result in disqualification. Judges also reserve the right to withhold comments.

• SBCMG reserves the right to record, use, and reproduce any submitted video materials. Final award winners’ videos and the Winners Concert will be published on youtube.com/@baipumusic.

Official competition terms and handbook will be released in September 2025 and shall serve as the final terms. For any questions regarding the competition, please contact us at baipucompetition@gmail.com