Requirements

All candidates must be at least 16 years old and not more than 30 years old on June 15, 2025.

For the initial screening round, candidates will perform two contrasting movements of any piece composed by J. S. Bach for unaccompanied bowed string instrument. (Partitas, Sonatas or Suites) from memory. The selected movements must be performed with ALL REPEATS. There are no exceptions to this requirement.

The performance must be videotaped with a single stationary camera. The musician’s entire upper body and instrument must be visible in the video. Editing of the tape is not permitted.  

The performance must not have been videotaped more than 1 year prior to submission.

The 2025 Finals will be held at Stony Brook University’s Staller Center Recital Hall at 1:00 pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025, and will be streamed by The Violin Channel. 

Finalists will perform, from memory, any entire eligible work, with all repeats. The work performed at the Finals does not have to be the same work performed in the application.  However, the finalist must advise the Competition Coordinator what piece they will perform within 7 days of being notified that they have been selected as a finalist.

All applications must be made using the form on the Barbash Bach Competition website. No other method of submission will be accepted. A $50 submission fee will be paid by the applicant at the time of submission. Applications without payment will not be reviewed. Submission fees are not refundable.

Deadline: The application forms, including all requested documents, videos/links, and payment must be submitted by Midnight ET, June 15, 2025.

Candidates will be sent an email confirming the formal acceptance of their application.

Finalists will be announced on July 30, 2025, and will be notified by email. Finalists must confirm participation by August 7, 2025, and supply bios (250 words) and high- resolution photos (300 dpi).

Finalists are required to arrive on the Stony Brook campus on Wednesday October 15, 2025. Hotel accommodations will be provided by the Competition for October 15 and 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is located on Stony Brook’s campus within walking distance of the recital hall. Please be advised that the Competition does not provide any stipend for travel expenses.

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.