1.  Musicians of all nationalities are welcome, and may apply up to a maximum of two competition divisions.  Qualified candidates under the minimum age limit may also apply.

2.  By applying to the Schoenfeld International String Competition, applicants acknowledge and agree that all submitted materials are not in violation of any prevailing copyright laws. applicants must grant the Schoenfeld International String Competition committee the right to use the submitted photos, audios, and videos (including online submissions).

3.  Applicants are required to send their programme of all the live round prior to the deadline of  June 1^st, 2020.  Nonetheless, changes can still be made until June 15^th, 2020.   No changes may be made to the programme after that date, unless these were to be specifically required by the Schoenfeld International String Competition committee.

4.  The Schoenfeld International String Competition offers a limited amount of merit-based travel scholarship for non-Chinese residents, according to candidates performance of the pre-screening round.   Maximum USD 600 will be provided for a violinist and USD 1,000 for a cellist.  The travel scholarship will be given in cash after candidates finished the first round of competition in Harbin. Since there will only be on final round for the chamber music division in Harbin.  The ensembles selected to the live round of the chamber music division will immediately be regarded as the finalists of division and the members of the ensemble will received merit-based travel scholarship as well. 

5.  The competition offers all live round candidates a free double-room accommodation (share with another candidate) depending on the space available. Once eliminated from the Competition, candidates who wish to stay on in Harbin must pay for their own accommodation. 

6.  It will be candidate’s responsibility to pay for the transportation fee between airport and the competition venue. A limited free transportation service will be provided during the competition period between hotel and competition venues. 

7.  During the competition, all candidates must check-in with the registration desk at the competition venue no later than 30 minutes prior to their designated time. Latecomers may be disqualified.

8.  Candidates must have their pieces memorized with the exception of the required Chinese composition, sonata works, and chamber music. Accompanists are exempt.

9.  All sheet music for the competition must be original - for both candidates and accompanists, and candidates should prepare to provide original music as well as SEVEN photocopies for judges as reference in the competition. 

10.  The Schoenfeld International String Competition committee will hold drawing lots to determine the order of on-site competition rounds. Candidates admitted to the semi-final and final rounds will have the same place in the order of the preliminary round.

11.  The Schoenfeld International String Competition committee reserves the right to reschedule the competition in the case of a natural emergency. Further notice will be announced.

12.  The Schoenfeld International String Competition provides candidates with official piano accompanists. Rehearsals will be arranged before each round.  Additional rehearsals are possible according to accompanists’ availabilities. Moreover, if they wish, candidates can choose to be accompanied by the pianist of their choice at their own expense.

13.  The jury is permitted to award the same ranking to several candidates. In the event of a tie, the jury may divide the monetary prize equally between the prize winners.

14.  All winners must collect their awards in person. In addition, winners of the first, second and third prizes in the divisions of violin, cello, and chamber music must attend the award ceremony and perform in the closing concert (the detailed arrangement will be decided by competition committee). In the event of an absence, the committee has the right to deny the prize and cash award. The jury will determine the performance pieces and the order for the winners at the closing concert.

15.  The jury reserves the right to award supplementary prize(s) in any division of the competition. The jury also reserves the right to withhold any prizes and rankings in the competition if the candidates do not perform at a level of competency deemed appropriate by the jury.

16.  Jury decisions are final and cannot be challenged. The jury retains the right to stop any performance without objection from the candidates.

17.  Candidates must disclose all relations they may have with any members of the jury, including teacher-student relationship (more than 120 minutes lesson time in 3 years before the competition). The jury may not vote for a candidate who has been one of their students. Failure to disclose such relationships will result in immediate disqualification.

18.  Unauthorised photography, audio, and/ or video recordings are strictly prohibited.  The Schoenfeld International String Competition committee reserves the sole right to record and document the competition. The Schoenfeld International String Competition committee also has the right to release any recordings (such as DVDs, CDs, etc.) for publicity or commercial purposes without seeking further approval from the candidates or making payments of any kind to them. The candidates agree that all copyrights of these recordings belong to the Schoenfeld International String Society and the Harbin organisers.

19.  Candidates and other participants must take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of their musical instruments, bows, and personal belongings (such as luggage, personal effects, money, and musical accessories). The organiser and the Schoenfeld International String Competition committee are not responsible for any damage to or loss of the candidates' personal belongings. It is the candidates' sole responsibility to obtain relevant and sufficient insurance coverage prior to travel. It is also the responsibility of the candidates to consult with the appropriate insurance authorities on all matters relating to insurance including: health, personal injury, as well as loss or damage to musical instruments or luggages in the case of accident, fire, or theft during travel and competition event.  Candidates agree to assume full responsibility for any damage or loss to their musical instruments, bows and personal belongings.

20.  All candidates (including parents/ teachers of underage candidates) declare that all statements included in the submitted application and any accompanying material in the application, are true and correct.  Any falsifications of submitted materials or dishonest declarations are grounds for immediate disqualification.  All application fees and materials received by the competition's organising committee are non-refundable and non-transferable.  A contestant's eligibility to compete in the competition is also non-transferable.

21.  All candidates (including parents/ teachers of underage candidates) declare that they understand and agree with the rules and regulations of the competition. Candidates found in violation of competition rules and regulations are subject to immediate and full disqualification at the discretion of the competition committee and jury.

22.  Competition materials (for example: application forms, rules & regulations etc.) were formulated in both English and Chinese. In the event of any inconsistency or conflict between the English and Chinese versions, the English version shall prevail.

23.  The Schoenfeld International String Competition committee reserves the right for the final interpretation of all rules and regulations of the competition. If any dispute shall arise between the parties herein, after ineffective coordination, either party must give the other written notice requiring that such matter to be referred to a single arbitrator in accordance with and subject to the provisions of the Laws of the P. R. China as amended or re-enacted hereafter or any ordinance enacted in place or substitution thereof. The arbitrator shall be in Harbin, P. R. China and his/ her decision shall be final and binding on both parties. The cost of such reference shall be at the discretion of the arbitrator.

24.  The organiser and the Schoenfeld International String Competition committee reserve the right to make changes to the rules and regulations of the competition at any time, and changes may be announced via website or at competition venue.

25.  The first prize winners for the past Schoenfeld International String Competitions cannot apply for the same division.