IVY INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL & ACADEMY

The Ivy International Music Competition (IIMC) Global Finals is the culminating stage of the 12th edition of the competition—bringing together outstanding young musicians for five days of performances, masterclasses, and educational exchange. The program combines a formal competition format with high-level artistic training, including public masterclasses and one-on-one specialty coaching, culminating in the Global Finals Competition and Awards Concert.

Schedule (August 1–5, 2026)

Preliminary Round:

A preliminary video audition is required for all levels, divisions, and categories. if your city held the live competition, you could join the live preliminary. if your city did not held the live preliminary round you could apply with a pre-recorded video.Video non-refundable application fee, $90 (video),live competition application fee, contact your local competition representative, Application deadline: May 20, 2026; Late applications accepted until June 20, 2026 ($50 late fee)

The Ivy International Music Festival opens in Boston with a special Prizewinners’ Showcase Concert at the New England Conservatory (NEC). Bringing together outstanding award recipients from the Ivy International Music Competition, the concert presents an evening where young artistry meets the professional atmosphere of one of America’s most storied conservatories.

The 12th Ivy International Music Festival opens its New York chapter with a forward-looking evening: the New Works Showcase Concert, to be held on July 29, 2026 at The DiMenna Center for Classical Music. More than a concert title, “New Works” is a statements for the Festival’s artistic intent—an invitation to listen for what is being written now, and for the voices shaping classical music’s next vocabulary.

The 12th Ivy International Music Festival arrives in Washington, D.C. with a concert dedicated to the art of creating new sound: the Composition Showcase Concert, presented at The Mansion at Strathmore Music Hall. In an era when classical music is often measured by how faithfully it preserves tradition, this evening turns the focus to a different—and equally essential—question: what happens when the tradition continues forward, one new score at a time?

As part of the Global Finals experience, the Ivy International Music Competition (IIMC) offers a dedicated University Visit Stage—a structured East Coast academic and arts immersion for contestants and accompanying guests. With the full support of the Ivy International Education Association (IIEA), participants will visit leading U.S. universities and conservatories for campus exploration and educational exchange, connecting musical growth with long-term academic planning.