1. Applicants must register for the competition via the official website www.schoenfeldcompetition.com. All applicants are required to register an account to proceed with the application. For any inquiry please email info@schoenfeldcompetition.com.

Application deadline: April 15th, 2020

Announcement of shortlist: May 15th, 2020

2. Visit the sign up page of the official website. Applicants may update the information after acquiring an individual account. Only one account should be registered by one of the members for chamber music applicants. Applicants who registered for the past competition should re-register for a new account for the 2018 competition.

3. If applying for more than one division, applicants must complete separate applications and use different username for each individual division.

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

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

6. During the competition, all contestants 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.

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

8. All sheet music for the competition must be original - for both contestants and accompanists, and contestants should prepare to provide original music for judges as reference in the competition. Photocopies of music are not allowed.

9. The S. I. S. C. committee will hold drawing lots to determine the order of on-site competition rounds. Contestants admitted to the semi-final and final rounds will have the same place in the order of the preliminary round.

10. The S. I. S. C. committee reserves the right to reschedule the competition in the case of a natural emergency. Further notice will be announced.

11. The jury is permitted to award the same ranking to several contestants. In the event of a tie, the jury may divide the monetary prize equally between the prizewinners.

12. All winners must collect their awards in person. In addition, winners of the first,second and thrid prizes in the categories for violin, cello, and chamber music must perform in the closing concert (Final decesions made 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.

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

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

15. Contestants must disclose all relations they may have with any members of the jury, including teacher-student relationship (more than 120 minutes lesson time in total within 6 months before the competition). The judges may not vote for a contestant who has been one of their students. Failure to disclose such relationships will result in immediate disqualification.

16. Unauthorized photography, audio, and/ or video recordings are strictly prohibited. The S. I. S. C. committee reserves the sole right to record and document the competition. The S. I. S. C. 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 contestants or making payments of any kind to them. The contestants agree that all copyrights of these recordings belong to the Schoenfeld International String Society and the Harbin organizer.

17. Contestants 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 organizer and the S. I. S. C. committee are not responsible for any damage to or loss of the contestants' personal belongings. It is the contestants' sole responsibility to obtain relevant and sufficient insurance coverage prior to travel. It is also the responsibility of the contestants 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. Contestants agree to assume full responsibility for any damage or loss to their musical instruments, bows and personal belongings.

18. All contestants (including parents/ teachers of underage contestants) 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 organizing committee are non-refundable and non-transferable. A contestant's eligibility to compete in the competition is also non-transferable.

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

20. 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.

21. The S. I. S. C. 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.

22. The organizer and the S. I. S. C. 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.

23. The First Prize winners for the past Alice & Eleonore Schoefneld International String Competition (2013,2014 & 2016) cannot apply for the same category.