Please read these terms carefully before submitting your application for the Verbier Festival Masterclasses in Shenzhen. You will also find answers to the main questions regarding the application process.
THE LANGUAGE OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION IS ENGLISH. IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISCREPANCY, THE ENGLISH VERSION SHALL PREVAIL.
ELIGIBILITY
APPLICATION FILE
REPERTOIRE
INTRODUCTION VIDEO
APPLICATION FEE
BENEFITS OFFERED TO SELECTED PARTICIPANTS
PARTICIPANTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES
ACCOMPANYING PERSONS
AUTHORISATION TO USE IMAGE
SCHEDULE
QUESTIONS
Eligibility
Soloists
Applicants must be between 14 and 26 years old as of 9 February 2027 and apply in one of the following disciplines: piano, violin, viola, cello or double bass.
Chamber Music
Applications are open to pre-formed trios and quartets. The ensemble members’ average age must be between 18 and 28 years old as of 9 February 2027.
For all applicants
Applicants must reside or study in the Asia-Pacific region.
This includes countries and territories in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.
Applicants must have a good command of English and be able to communicate in this language during masterclasses and rehearsals.
All applications must be submitted via the Acceptd platform.
Application file
Applicants must provide the following information and documents:
- Contact details and personal information
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Training institution and teacher, if applicable
- Curriculum vitae
- Musical training and experience
- Short biography in English (Mandarin version optional)
- Letter of recommendation (optional)
- Musical information
- Instrument / discipline
- Proposed repertoire for the masterclass
- Audition videos in accordance with the requirements below
- Introduction video
- Documents to provide
- Portrait photo
- Copy of a valid passport or national identity card
- Parental / guardian authorisation for applicants under 18
For chamber music ensembles: only one application should be submitted in the name of the ensemble. It must include the requested information for each of its members.
Successful candidates will be assigned to a masterclass based on their discipline, proposed repertoire, and the final schedule of the teaching artists.
Repertoire
Proposed repertoire for the masterclass
Applicants must indicate, among the works presented in their audition videos, the one they wish to work on during their masterclass if selected. They may propose a different movement from that same work. The final repertoire will be confirmed depending on the masterclass to which the applicant is assigned.
Audition videos
Applicants must upload two audition videos in accordance with the requirements below.
Strings – violin, viola, cello and double bass
- One work or movement for solo instrument
- One movement of a sonata or concerto with piano
Piano
- One movement of a sonata by Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart or Schubert
- One work or movement of choice
Chamber Music
- One work or movement from the Classical or early Romantic period
- One work or movement of choice
Both chamber music videos must feature the same musicians, in the exact formation of the applying ensemble.
General Video Requirements
- Each video must feature a movement or a short work in a single movement, with a maximum duration of 12 minutes.
- Each video must be recorded in a single take, without editing.
- Recordings must have been made within three months prior to the application.
- Videos must be uploaded directly to Acceptd (MP4, MOV, etc.).
- Sound and image quality must allow the performers to be clearly heard and seen.
Introduction video
Applicants must submit a short video of 60 to 90 seconds in English.
Soloists
Please introduce yourself briefly, stating:
- your name and age;
- where you live or study;
- your instrument;
- why you wish to take part in the Verbier Festival Masterclasses in Shenzhen.
Chamber music ensembles
Briefly introduce your ensemble and its members, and explain why you wish to take part in the Verbier Festival Masterclasses in Shenzhen.
This video also allows the artistic team to assess your ease in communicating in English.
Application Fee
A non-refundable application fee of 55 EUR is required:
- for each individual application;
- for each chamber music ensemble application, regardless of the number of ensemble members.
Payment is made by credit card only on the Acceptd platform.
Benefits offered to selected participants
Soloists
Each selected soloist will take part in a masterclass and will receive the following benefits:
- one 45-minute individual session with the teaching artist;
- access to a rehearsal room equipped with a piano, for up to three hours the day before the masterclass;
- for string players, a collaborative pianist provided by the Festival, if needed;
- two nights’ accommodation with breakfast, in a double room, for the participant and one accompanying person;
- up to two tickets for their masterclass, including one reserved for the participant;
- up to two complimentary tickets for selected Shenzhen Verbier Festival concerts the day before their masterclass, and up to two additional tickets on the day of the masterclass, subject to availability;
- a certificate of participation.
Chamber music ensemble
The selected ensemble will receive the following benefits:
- one 90-minute masterclass;
- access to a rehearsal room for up to three hours the day before the masterclass;
- two nights in a hotel with breakfast, in up to two double-occupancy rooms;
- one ticket per ensemble member to attend their masterclass, plus two additional tickets for guests or accompanying persons;
- one complimentary ticket per ensemble member for selected Shenzhen Verbier Festival concerts the day before the masterclass, and one additional ticket per member on the day of the masterclass, subject to availability;
- a certificate of participation for each ensemble member.
Accompanist pianists
For string instrumentalists working with a pianist provided by the Festival:
- one hour of rehearsal with the pianist is scheduled the day before the masterclass;
- A short on-stage rehearsal with the pianist is scheduled immediately before the masterclass.
String instrumentalists may also bring their own accompanying pianist. Applicants wishing to have a pianist provided by the Festival must confirm this no later than January 10, 2027, upon acceptance of their participation.
Responsibilities of Participants
Participants are responsible for:
- their travel and visa costs;
- their meals and personal expenses;
- taking out comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
The Shenzhen Verbier Festival assumes no responsibility for medical incidents, accidents, or loss of personal property.
Accompanying persons
Soloists
Each soloist may designate only one official accompanying person: a parent, a legal guardian or, in the case of a string player, their own collaborative pianist.
Soloists under 18 must designate a parent or legal guardian as their accompanying person.
The official accompanying person may attend:
- the masterclass;
- the rehearsal with the pianist, if applicable.
Only one accompanying person per soloist benefits from the accommodation provided in the “Benefits offered to selected participants” section. Any other person travelling with the participant must cover their own accommodation, meals, transport and ticketing costs.
Chamber music ensemble
Accommodation covered by the Festival is reserved for members of the selected ensemble, up to a maximum of two double rooms. No additional accommodation is provided for accompanying persons.
If an ensemble member is under 18, they must travel with a parent or legal guardian. The travel, accommodation, meal, and other expenses of this accompanying person are not covered by the Festival.
Communication and Conduct
- Discussions regarding the artistic programme and the organisation of the masterclasses will take place directly with the soloist or, for the chamber music ensemble, with the contact person designated in the application.
- Accompanying persons are kindly asked not to intervene during masterclasses, rehearsals or artistic discussions.
- All accompanying persons and visitors must comply with the Festival’s official guidelines regarding photography, video recording and backstage access.
Authorisation to use image
By taking part in the Verbier Festival Masterclasses in Shenzhen, each participant (or their legal representative if a minor) authorises the Festival to take photographs and make audiovisual recordings of their participation, and to use their name, image and artistic performances.
These elements may be used, in whole or in part, for the Festival’s communication, promotion and documentation purposes, across all current and future media.
Schedule
- Application deadline: 30 November 2026 at 11:59 PM (China time)
- Results announcement and masterclass allocation: 5 January 2027
- Deadline to confirm participation: 10 January 2027
- Deadline to request a collaborative pianist provided by the Festival: 10 January 2027
Questions
For any questions regarding applications or the selection process, please contact the Verbier Festival Academy: academy@verbierfestival.com