APPLY NOW
Grand Prize: $10,000 with performing opportunities
Second Place Prize: $2,500
Requirements
All candidates must be at least 16 years old and not more than 30 years old on Sunday June 15, 2025.
All applications must be made using the form available on the Barbash Bach Competition website. No other method of submission will be accepted. A $50 non-refundable submission fee will be collected at the time of submission. Applications without payment will not be reviewed.
The application forms, including all requested documents, videos/links, and payment must be submitted by midnight EDT, Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Initial Screening Round:
Performances submitted for consideration must be videotaped with a single stationary camera in a single take. The musician’s entire upper body and instrument must be visible in the video. Editing of the tape is not permitted.
Music must be performed from memory.
Selected movements must be performed with ALL REPEATS. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Applicants may submit separate links for each movement.
The performance must be videotaped within one year of the submission date.
Violinists must perform two contrasting movements of any work composed by J.S. Bach for unaccompanied string instrument. (Partitas, Sonatas)
Violists, cellists, and bass players must perform a prelude and two dance movements from any Suite. (For violists who choose to perform movements from a Partita or Sonata, see requirements for violinists.)
Applicants will be sent an email confirming the formal acceptance of their application.
Finalists and alternates will be announced on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (There is no semi-final round.)
Applicants selected as finalists or alternates must confirm that they will participate by 5:00 pm EDT on Monday, August 4, 2025.
Participating Finalists will be required to provide:
Brief bio in English (200-250 words)
Hi-resolution head shot (300 dpi)
Website address if available
Signed Photo/Video Consent
Signed Acknowledgement Agreement which specifies that the Lillian and Maurice Barbash Bach Competition will be mentioned in your official bio should you be selected as the Grand-Prize Winner.
Confirmation that, if you are selected as the Grand Prize Winner, you will perform at the Island Symphony Bach Festival on Sunday, January 24, 2027 (Snow Date: Sunday, January 31, 2027.)
The Finals:
The 2025 Finals will be held at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center Recital Hall at 1:00 pm EDT on Thursday, October 16, 2025, and will be live-streamed by The Violin Channel.
Finalists must arrive in Stony Brook on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. The Competition will provide accommodations at the Stony Brook Hilton Garden Inn, which is located within walking distance of the performance venue. Please be advised that the Competition does not provide any stipend for travel expenses.
Finalists must perform any eligible work, with all repeats, in its entirety from memory. The work performed at the Finals does not have to be the same work performed for the application. However, the finalist must advise the Competition Coordinator what piece he/she/they will be performing within 7 days of being notified that he/she/they have been selected as a finalist.
Adjudication:
The decision of the jury is final and is not subject to any appeal.
All prizes will be awarded at the discretion of the jury. The jury reserves the right to not award any of the prizes; or to offer a shared prize (ex aqueo) splitting an award or prize between several contestants.
For International Applicants:
International applicants who do not have Green Cards must consult with their local U.S. Embassy and/or Consulate to confirm if they must secure a visa to participate in the Finals. While the Competition will provide a basic letter of invitation to all candidates, it will be the candidate’s responsibility to obtain any visas necessary to compete, and, if they win, to perform at paid engagements hosted by the Competition’s Presenting Partners. Competition winners will need to work directly with these Presenting Partners to apply for the O-1 visas, and are responsible for payment of required fees. If a candidate so desires, they may engage the not-for-profit Tamizdat Agency to assist them in this process.