The final deadline for all materials is August 31st, 2024 at 11:59pm U.S. Central Time.

We encourage applicants to apply early to take advantage of their Radda Reviews and have time to make new recordings for the judging round if desired. The most recently uploaded recordings as of the final deadline will be used for the judging round.

1. The Radda Rise International String Competition is open to string players of all nationalities. Applicants must be within one of the following age ranges at the time of submitting the competition application:

   1. Category 1: Up to 9 years old

   2. Category 2: Between 10-13 years old

   3. Category 3: Between 14-17 years old

   4. Category 4: Between 18-34 years old

2. Every applicant is required to submit two (2) pieces within the following recommended timeframes. Applicants may submit pieces that are longer than these timeframes, but the jurors may not listen to the entire submission beyond these timeframes:

   1. Category 1: up to 7 minutes

   2. Category 2: up to 12 minutes

   3. Category 3: up to 15 minutes

   4. Category 4: up to 20 minutes

3. The two pieces must be solo works that contrast in some way (i.e. a slow work and a fast work or works from contrast eras of music). Accompanied or unaccompanied works are acceptable.

4. Both pieces must be performed from memory.

5. Movements of pieces are acceptable.

6. Original compositions and improvisations will not be accepted. 

7. Any repeats are discouraged.

8. Applicants should upload copies of their music to the online application with minimal markings for the jurors. These scores must be clear photocopies or PDFs taken from online sources such as IMSLP. The scores for each piece must be uploaded separately as a continuous document with the pages in order. Applicants must include the composer and full title of the piece including work numbers.

1. All applications must be completed and submitted through the Radda application. Any incomplete submissions will not be considered for judging. 

2. Each application will include the following media:

   1. Video performances of two contrasting pieces within the respective timeframes for each category

   2. High resolution color photograph suitable for publicity purposes

   3. PDFs of both scores with measure numbers

3. A confirmation email in English will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the completed application and accompanying materials. Applications must be fully completed in order to be accepted into the competition. 

4. A non-refundable application fee is due at the time of submission and is to be paid through the Radda website. Entrance into the competition, a video Radda Review, custom biography or revisions, a mentorship session with the director, and video comments from the jurors are included in all applications.

   1. Category 1: $95

   2. Category 2: $110

   3. Category 3: $125

   4. Category 4: $155

5. Optional Application Upgrades: Applicants have the option of upgrading their applications to include private lessons with the jurors and reviewers and websites. Upgrades have no impact on the results of the competition, and jurors will have no knowledge of any upgrades during the deliberation period. All lessons with the jurors will be scheduled and take place after the winners announcement.

1. Winners Announcement date and time will be determined shortly after the final deadline.

2. All competition applicants will receive an electronic certificate of participation.

3. The winners in each category will receive the following prizes:

   1. Category 1 (All Instruments)

      1. 1st Prize - $250

      2. 2nd Prize - $175

      3. 3rd Prize - $125

   2. Category 2 (All Instruments)

      1. 1st Prize - $350

      2. 2nd Prize - $275

      3. 3rd Prize - $175

   3. Category 3

      1. Grand Prize - $550 and Custom Website

      2. Violin and Viola Subcategory

         1. 1st Prize - $350 and Custom Website

         2. 2nd Prize - $275

         3. 3rd Prize - $175

      3. Cello and Bass Subcategory

         1. 1st Prize - $350 and Custom Website

         2. 2nd Prize - $275

         3. 3rd Prize - $175

   4. Category 4

      1. Grand Prize - $650 and Custom Website

      2. Violin and Viola Subcategory

         1. 1st Prize - $400 and Custom Website

         2. 2nd Prize - $300 and Custom Website

         3. 3rd Prize - $200 and Custom Website

      3. Cello and Bass Subcategory

         1. 1st Prize - $400 and Custom Website

         2. 2nd Prize - $300 and Custom Website

         3. 3rd Prize - $200 and Custom Website

4. All applicants have post-competition opportunities. Details regarding these opportunities can be found in the Opportunities for All Applicants section.

5. All winners will participate in a concert to be live streamed online. This is not a live performance. Rather, Radda will compile video recordings from winners’ competition applications and create a live stream on Youtube. Date and time to be determined.

1. Radda Reviews: Although applicants are not permitted to interact with any members on the jury committee before or during the competition, they may choose to receive a Radda review of their competition recording and have the opportunity to resubmit a new recording for the competition. The process is detailed below:

   1. Applicants must opt-in for the free Radda review on their application.

   2. One of the Radda Reviewers will be assigned to each applicant based on instrument and language. Radda Reviewers will not include members of the current jury committee.

   3. Applicants will receive their Radda reviews within ten days after uploading the media component of their applications. 

   4. After applicants have received their Radda review, they have the option of submitting a new recording based on the Reviewer’s feedback any time before the competition deadline.

2. Biographies: Applicants may decide whether they’d like to receive (1) a full custom biography in English OR (2) revisions of their current biography in English. If applicants opt for the first option, they will receive a questionnaire separate from their written application from which the biography will be written. Both biography options are free to all applicants.

3. Juror Mentorship: After the competition, all applicants have the opportunity to be offered mentorship from the jurors. Mentorships will be offered at the discretion of the jurors. The extent and details of these mentorships will be determined between the applicant and the juror.

4. Director Mentorship: Applicants may sign up for private mentor sessions with the competition director and founder of Radda, Michelle Schodowski. All applications include one session, and certain prize winners will receive an unlimited number of sessions. See the “Website and Director Mentorship” section for more details.

5. Discounted Radda Reviews: All applicants and students of their private teacher at the time of the competition will receive a 10% discount code to use on any Radda reviews subsequent to the competition, and this discount code is valid up to a year after the conclusion of the competition. After the competition, they are permitted to request reviews from anyone on the jury committee.

Custom Websites

• Competition applicants may upgrade their application to include a custom multipage website highlighting their music and personal brand. After discussing design preferences and content with applicants, Radda will design and create their entire website on Squarespace (or a platform of their choosing), and applicants may request an unlimited amount of edits during the competition and up to two months after the conclusion of the competition. Additionally, applicants will be provided with free training sessions to learn how to update and maintain their website in future, establish a custom domain, further develop their personal brands, build a mailing list, and create engaging content to drive organic traffic to their websites.

• This may be purchased at the time of application submission or after submission for $245. This rate is only available to competition participants. Please note that this is separate from the competition application fee.

• Depending on the Squarespace plan you choose, there may be a monthly subscription ranging from $16-$26. This subscription is not associated with Radda. If you’d prefer a free website, just let us know and we’ll build out your website on a different platform that has a free option.

• Any winners who receive the custom website as part of their prize will be fully refunded if they purchase a custom website prior to the winners’ announcement.

Director Mentorship Sessions

• Want to create a website on your own, learn about the application processes for college, or get guidance on admissions essays? Sign up for private mentorship sessions with Radda’s founder, Michelle Schodowski, for any advice regarding college, personal branding, building a website, starting a future business, and more.

• Sessions are 1-hour private sessions via Zoom. Competition applicants may sign up for one session at no extra charge. Scheduling details will be discussed via email after the competition application has been submitted.

• Prize winners will receive an unlimited number of these sessions.

1. Applicants are required to submit a video recording. Audio recordings will not be accepted.

2. Applicant’s hands, face, and instrument must be present in the video at all times. 

3. Each piece must be a continuous and unedited recording. Recordings may be separate for each piece or paused between each piece. 

4. Applicants should dress appropriately and professionally in their best performance attire as if they were performing in a live competition. 

5. It is acceptable to use recordings recorded prior to this competition recorded within a year of the competition deadline.

1. Applicants must be within the following age ranges at the time of their application submission for each category:

   1. Category 1: up to 9 years old (inclusive)

   2. Category 2: 10-13 years old (inclusive)

   3. Category 3: 14-17 years old (inclusive)

   4. Category 4: 18 -34 years old (inclusive)

   5. Radda reserves the right to request production of any documents confirming proof of age at any time during the competition. Failure to produce such documents when requested will result in disqualification from the competition, and the applicant will not be refunded any fees.

2. The competition will consist of a single round for each category in which applicants will submit their video recordings through the online application. Details regarding the video recordings can be found in the Video Requirements and Regulations section.

3. The competition will primarily be conducted in English, but applicants may choose any of the offered languages for their Radda video reviews. 

4. Applicants may not be in contact with any members of the current jury while they are actively in the competition. Any violation of this rule may disqualify the applicant. However, applicants are allowed to contact any Radda Reviewers who are not on the 2024 Radda Rise International String Competition jury.

5. Applicants accept that their recordings may be used for promotional and marketing purposes during and/or after the competition. Neither Radda nor any representative from Radda will be held liable for any payments to applicants arising out the use of any materials derived from the competition. This includes but is not necessarily limited to international and/or national rules, regulations, laws, etc. that pertain in any way to royalties, copyrights, fair use, trademarks, and/or any other intellectual property. Applicants (or legal guardians if under the age of 18) are required to sign a Multimedia Release Agreement at the time of their application. 

6. Jurors’ evaluations and comments will be given in English.

7. Evaluations made by the jury committee are final and are not subject to reevaluation.

8. Jurors reserve the right to not award prizes if they do not deem it appropriate.