5th Barum International Competition
Application Deadline: October 10, 2025

​Location: Cerritos College Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall
Competition Date: November 8, 2025

Please read all of the rules carefully before filling out the application form online.

Eligibility

1. The fifth Barum International Piano Competition will take place at the Cerritos College Performing Arts Center, Recital Hall.
2. ​It is open to pianists, violinists, and cellists of all ages with a free choice of repertoire.
3. The competition is open for piano solo, piano duet and concerto for piano, violin, viola and cello.

Rules

1. The application deadline will be October 10, 2025. 
2. The application form may be found below.
   If you have any further questions, email us at [email protected].
3. The age of the applicants will be determined by the application due date (November 1, 2025).  Please attach the proof of age when you apply (birth certificate, driver's license, passport, etc.).  The files will be deleted after age verification.
4. Application fee per application is $ 85 for Festival Division and  $125 for the Professional and Concerto Division. The application fee is non-refundable.​
5. There are three divisions: Festival, Professional and Concerto. All Festival Level applicants will receive a medal, certificate of participation and comments. Professional Solo and Concerto division is designed for highly competitive students with many years of musical experiences.
6. Selected winners from Professional and Concerto division will be invited to perform at Carnegie Hall on Jan. 19, 2026 with extra cost.
7. Selected students will be invited to perform at HMH Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital in NJ on 1/17/2026.
8. First Place Winner from Concerto Division: will receive $1000 Scholarship to perform at 6th Barum Benefit Concert in August 2026. 

Awards (for Professional level entries only)

1. Barum Foundation Award: Total $1000 Scholarship will be given to 4 students who will participate at Carnegie Hall Performance selected by judges. 
2. 1st Place Division Winners will receive Barum Music Foundation Award-$200 cash award from the professional solo category.
3. 2nd Place Division Winners will receive RnH Foundation Award- $100 Cash Award will be given to an excellent performers selected by judges.
4. Amici International Music Festival Award: Recommended performers from the entire competition will be awarded total of $2000 scholarship toward festival participation. 
5. Trophy will be give to each prize winners.

Awards (for Concerto Category)

1. Barum Foundation Award: $1000 Scholarship to perform with orchestra at 6th Barum Benefit Concert, August 2026. 

One of the highlights of Barum’s events is the annual benefit concert, where students learn to share the beauty of music while directly serving their communities. This concert is more than a performance—it is an opportunity for students to give back through hard work and excellence. Proceeds from each concert are donated under the performers’ names to the annually chosen non-profit organizations, giving each student a personal connection to the impact they make.
Barum students also perform in various hospitals and senior homes such as the St. Jude Hospital and Los Angeles General Medical Center, sharing music with patients and staff, bringing comfort, joy, and healing through their music-making. 
In recognition of their outstanding service and artistic contribution, Barum students receive official awards from the city, state, and even the U.S. Presidential Volunteer Service Award, celebrating their dedication both as musicians and as community leaders.

Past donations have supported:

• Dayle McIntosch Center
• Children with Disabilities
• School Supplies for Children in Mexico, Cambodia, and Paraguay
• A Yamaha Digital Piano for El Cántaro Bioscuela Popular
  
• A Yamaha 88-Key Keyboard for the Orquesta de Instrumentos Reciclados de Cateura
  
• Rice grains for communities in Nicaragua
  

       * In collaboration with RnH Foundation and CE Agencia

Awards (for Festival level entries)

1. All participants will be awarded a medal, comments, and e-certificates of achievement.

Repertoire

1. Please choose your repertoire carefully BEFORE you submit your application.  ​Once accepted, no repertoire changes will be allowed. 
2. Free selection of one piece is required. 
3. Piece must be performed by memory.
4. All decisions by the jury will be final.
5. 1st/2nd/3rd prizes will be awarded per category at judges' discretion.
6. Special Awards will be given to the selected winners.

Categories: Festival & Professional Level Categories for All Ages

• 7 Years of Age, time limit 3 min
• 8 Years of Age, time limit 3 min
• 9 Years of Age, time limit 4 min
• 10 Years of Age, time limit 4 min
• 11 Years of Age, time limit 5 min
• 12 Years of Age, time limit 5 min
• 13 Years of Age, time limit 6 min
• 14 Years of Age, time limit 6 min
• 15 Years of Age, time limit 6 min
• 16 Years of Age, time limit  7min
• 17 Years of Age, time limit 7 min​
• ​18 Years of Age, time limit  7min
• ​19 Years of Age and up, time limit 8 min​
• Performers must be prepared to perform the entire piece*

Divisions

• Division I: 7-9 Years of Age
• Division II: 10-12 Years of Age
• Division III: 13-15 Years of Age
• Division IV: 16-18 Years of Age
• Division V : 19 Years and Up

Apply