7th Apex International Music Competition

Global Musicians and Arts Association (GMAA) and Pioneer Arts and Humanities Association (PAHA) are excited to announce that 7th Apex International Music Competition (AIMC) is now open for application. Our competition is based on “Live audition + Live Concert” format. The contestants will still have the option to do virtual audition through YouTube Submission or Streaming audition. Please review the details listed below for information on application, audition, concerts, and winners’ awards.

Introduction to Apex Competition

Fulfill Your Music Dream, Express the best of yourself.

Apex International Music Competition (AIMC) is organized by Pioneer Arts and Humanities Association, a Non-profit Organization to promote youth arts, music and humanities events in the United States. AIMC is also co-organized by Global Musicians and Arts Association, Music Pathway Studio, Vera's Music School, and American Descendants of Dragon Foundation. Our goal is to provide an international music platform for all nationalities who love music and want to demonstrate their talents to the public.

Since it was founded in 2019, Pioneer Arts and Humanities Association and Global Musicians and Arts Associations have successfully hosted Six competitions. AIMC is regarded by many parents and teachers as one of the most valuable music competitions in Tri-state areas. Close to 3000 young musicians have attended our previous competitions in three branches including North America, China, and Europe. Over 1200 winners have performed in our winners’ concerts in Merkin Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall. Apex Competition winners have been recognized by many US Top 20 colleges as one of the notable awards for admission considerations. 

We are proud of our past achievement and are committed to providing more opportunities and awards for our future participants.

Competition Process and Requirements

1. Eligibility & Repertoire Requirements

Eligibility: AIMC is open for young musicians that perform piano, other instruments, voice, chorus, and composition. Age 5 - 30 of all nationalities are welcome.

Repertoire:

Piano & Instrument:

One piece less than 10 minutes from the baroque, classical, romantic, modern, and contemporary. musical eras.

Voice (Solo or Duet): 

One piece less than 6 minutes from all seven voice styles (soprano, contralto, tenor, Etc.). Pop music and jazz music are also welcome.

Composition： 

One piece less than 8 minutes of any style that is written for piano or a piano in an ensemble. The composition manuscript shall be submitted in PDF format to us by email prior to the audition.  

Choir (More than 6 Singers): 

One piece less than 6 minutes from all seven voice styles (soprano, contralto, tenor, Etc.). Pop music and jazz music are also welcome.

The competition is divided into 5 different age groups:

• Group Y: Age 5-7

• Group J: Age 8-11

• Group I: Age 12-14

• Group T: Age 15-18

• Group P: College or professional Level (18+)

Contestants must perform their music pieces from memory.

2. Application 

Please submit the completed application form through one of the following methods:

• Download the 7th AIMC application form from our website. Complete and mail the form to our main office’s address.

• Email the completed application form in DOC or PDF format to Globalmusicians8@gmail.com 

• Fill in the online application form on our website (www.gimaaa.com) - for individual applications only.

The application fee is $100 for solo and $80 for each member of duets and group of 3 or more. The application fee shall be submitted along with the application form by either a check or Zelle. *Application fee is non-refundable.

*For Choir and other Group Audition Application, please email Gloablimucicians8@gmail.com to request the group application fee

All application forms and checks shall be submitted to the main office of AIMC:

Global Musicians & Arts Association

226 US Highway 1, Unit M

Edison, NJ 08817

Submit your payment using Zelle to account globalmusicians8@gmail.com (Name of the Account is Global Musicians & Arts Association)

Deadline for Application is February 20, 2026 

3. Audition

Live Audition Location:

NJ Location:

• 3/21/2026 (9am - 5pm)

• Arts Building at Raritan Valley Community College,

• 118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876

• 3/22/2026 (9am - 5pm)

• Vera's Music School

• 258 King George Rd Floor 2, Warren, NJ 07059 

• 3/22/2026 (9am - 5pm)

• Pianos of Princeton - NJ Yamaha Piano Store

• 2901 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

NY Location:

• 3/14/2026 (9am - 6pm)

• Glow Cultural Center

• 133-29 41st Ave floor 1, Flushing, NY 11355 

• 3/15/2026 (10am - 7pm)

• Charles MacKay Studio at Opera America

• 330 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Austria Location:

• March 2026

• Musikquartier

• Mariahilfer Str. 51 1060 Wien

Once we receive the application forms with payments from the applicants, we will email the audition schedule with specific details including the exact audition time to all the applicants at the email addresses provided in their application forms, no later than 7 days prior to the scheduled live audition time. Judge Evaluation Forms will also be attached to this email and the contestants must print, fill out and bring (2) Copies of the evaluation forms to the live auditions.

! New in 2026: Both our NJ and NY audition locations will be adopting a new audition format in 2026. The contestants are divided into small groups (6-10 Contestants per group). Each group will come into the audition room at the same time as per their scheduled time. The contestants will take turns to perform in a group setting to create a "stage performance" type of environment. The contestants may not leave the audition room until their entire group completes the audition. The contestants' family members and teachers are welcome to watch the audition and support their students. Photography is not allowed but personal recording is acceptable during the audition.

Contestants who cannot attend live auditions, may provide a YouTube link of a video of their performance, and email the link to globalmusicians8@gmail.com. Please indicate the recording on the application form. Video recording must be continuous and cannot be altered, edited, or rearranged. Videos must also be recorded within 3 months prior to the audition time and cannot be the same video used for other competitions. The email with the YouTube video link must be accompanied by the name of the performer and the title & composer of the music piece.

YouTube Recording is due on 03/15/2026.

*In-person live audition is recommended by Apex Judge Committee. 

4. Audition Results and Judging Criteria 

Both the Live Audition and YouTube recordings will be evaluated by the Apex Judge Committee, which includes the college professors, music teachers or local famous musicians. Judges will score each contestant’s audition performance based on the following categories:

• For Instrument and Voice: Technical, Performance and Music Interpretation 

• For Composition: Music Content, Creativity and Knowledge of Instrument 

Each Category is worth 10 points and the highest score for each contestant is 30 points. The award ranking will be determined based on the audition scores with consideration of the contestant’s age group. The following awards will be determined by the judge committee and will be marked on the contestant’s evaluation form:

• Grand Award

• First Place Plus

• First Place

• Second Place

• Third Place  

5. Winners’ Concert

Selected grand award winners, first place plus winners, first place winners and second place winners will be eligible to perform in Apex Competition’s Winners Concerts, which will be held in Merking Concert Hall, Carnegie Hall and other venues between May to July.

Zankel Hall

Concert for Grand Award Winners

• Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, 1PM on May 24, 2026

  Concert fee: Solo- $700, Duet: $450 per person, Group of 3 or more: $360 per person, Call or email us for Group Choir Fee.

• Complimentary Concert Photos included (No Video Recording)

Weill Recital Hall

Concert for Grand Award Winners and 1st Place Plus Winners

• Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 7pm on May 22, 2026

• Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, 7:30pm on June 28, 2026

• Concert fee: Solo- $310, Duet: $215 per person, Group of 3 or more: $190 per person, Call or email us for Group Choir Fee.

• Complimentary Concert Photos included (No Video Recording)

Merkin Concert Hall

Concert for 1st Place and 2nd Place Winners

• Merkin Concert Hall: 10am on May 23, 2026,

• Merkin Concert Hall: 3pm on May 23, 2026,

• Merkin Concert Hall: 7pm on May 23, 2026

• Concert fee: Solo- $280, Duet & Group of 3 or more: $190 per person. Call or email us for Group Choir Fee.

• Complimentary Concert Photos and Archive Video recordings included

Other Winner Concerts TBD

The concert fee shall be submitted by check or Zelle two weeks prior to the concert date.

The winner can select a repertoire that is different from what's performed in the audition with the music teacher's written permission. Final concert repertoire shall be one piece less than 6 minutes. An overtime charge will be applied to the concert fee if the winner selects a piece longer than 6 minutes.

Important! For contestants that are eligible to receive awards and are current residents in the NJ/NYC areas, the winners’ concert is part of the competition. In order to receive paper certification and any awards shown in the section below, the eligible winner participants shall physically perform in the winners’ concerts and may not leave the concert until its conclusion. Eligible contestants who do not participate in the concert may be considered withdrawn from the competition and may not receive awards.

For Contestants from other states or overseas, the winners’ concert is optional and a digital copy of the certificate will be emailed to each winner upon request. Paper copies of the certificate and trophies can be ordered for winners out of tri-states (Shipping & Handling fee must apply). More information regarding the winners’ concert will be sent out to eligible winners through emails prior to the concert.

For 3rd place winners, a digital certificate (PDF) will be emailed to each winner. Paper copies of the certificate and trophies can be ordered for an extra fee.

6. Winner Awards

Selected winners will receive special awards from Apex Competition Committee which include:

• Customized winner’s certificates by AIMC (See Section 5 for conditions)

• Customized teacher’s certificate

• Customized trophies included for winners attending winners' concerts.

• Special Certificates for 3, 4 & 5-year consecutive winners

• Special award and college recommendation letter (Upon Request) for 5-year consecutive winners.

• Five levels of cash prizes up to $1,000 for selected grand and 1st place plus winners. Cash prizes winners are determined by Apex Judge Committee based on contestants' audition scores, age group and performance in the winners' concert. Not all grand award or 1st place plus winners will receive cash prizes.

• Publicity promotions by Global Musicians and Arts Association

• Performance award to selected winners attending winners’ concerts.

All awards will be distributed at the winners’ concert only.

Registration and Zelle Account Email： 

globalmusicians8@gmail.com

Main Office Address:

Global Musicians & Arts Association

226 US Highway 1, Unit M

Edison, NJ 08817

201-349-7912

908-451-5452