Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Violin Competition:
1. General Information
1.1. The Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, International Violin Competition is hosted by the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges and will be held in Guadeloupe, France, from 23rd November to 26th November, 2025.
1.2. The competition is open to violinists of all nationalities, aged 16-32 as of 23rd November, 2025.
1.3. The competition consists of three rounds: a first-round (video submission), a second round (live in Guadeloupe), and a third round (live in Guadeloupe).
1.4. The competition aims to celebrate the musical legacy of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and promote outstanding talent in classical music.
2. Competition Rounds
2.1. First Round – Video Submission
2.1.1. Applicants must submit a video recording of their performance, adhering to the repertoire guidelines provided by the competition committee.
2.1.2. The recording must feature the repertoire required for the first round, available on the official website for the competition.
2.1.3. Video Submission Guidelines:
- The video must be recorded in one continuous take, with no editing or splicing.
- Applicants should be clearly visible throughout the performance, with the camera positioned to capture the entire body, instrument, and hands at all times.
- The recording should be made in a high-quality audio and video format, ensuring that both the performance and the sound are clear and unaltered.
- The recording needs to occur after November 1, 2024. Recordings before this date are not eligible.
- The applicant should be wearing professional concert attire.
- If the selected pieces require accompaniment, the applicant must use a live piano accompanist. Pre-recorded or synthesized accompaniments are not permitted.
- Videos must be uploaded to YouTube as an unlisted video. The link must be submitted as part of the application form. If YouTube is unavailable due to geographic restrictions, please contact the committee for alternative submissions. Applicants are solely responsible for the functionality of web-links.
- The video title should include the applicant’s name, the competition name (Saint-Georges International Violin Competition) and year (2025) (e.g., “Jane Doe – Saint-Georges International Violin Competition 2025”).
- The description of the video should include the full names of the pieces performed and the names of any accompanists. Start times for each piece and/or individual movements must be included in the description for the video.
2.1.4. Video submissions must be accompanied by a completed application form and the
non-refundable application fee of
€120.
2.1.5. The deadline for submission is
August 15th, 2025. Late entries will not be accepted.
2.2. Second Round – Live in Guadeloupe2.2.1. A maximum of twelve contestants will be selected to participate in the second round based on their video submissions.
2.2.2. The second round will be held live at the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges in Guadeloupe, and open to the public.
2.2.3. Contestants must perform, in a public recital format, the repertoire required for the second round, available on the official website for the competition.
2.2.4. The performances will be judged on technical proficiency, musicality, artistic interpretation, and overall stage presence, by the panel of judges.
2.2.5. Contestants will be assigned an official Festival pianist to accompany their second-round sonata performances. The official pianist is free of charge to the participant (one rehearsal before Round II). Rehearsals with the official pianist are limited to 1 ½ hours, the day before or of the performance, and will be in the performance venue.
2.2.6. The order of contestants will be determined by a drawing of lots.
2.2.7. Contestants must perform all solo repertoire by memory, except sonatas may be performed with sheet music.
2.2.8. Contestants are expected to wear professional concert attire for their performance.
2.3. Third Round – Live in Guadeloupe2.3.1. A maximum of four contestants will be selected to participate in the third round based on their video submissions during the first round and their performances during the second round.
2.3.2. The third round will be held with a live orchestra accompaniment, at the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges in Guadeloupe, and open to the public.
2.3.3. Finalists must perform, from memory, the repertoire required for the third/final round, available on the official website for the competition.
2.3.4. The performances will be judged on technical proficiency, musicality, artistic interpretation, and overall stage presence, by the panel of judges.
2.2.5. Contestants will be allotted 40 minutes of rehearsal time with the conductor and orchestra prior to their performance.
2.3.6. The order of contestants will be determined by a drawing of lots.
2.3.7. Contestants are expected to wear professional concert attire for their performance.
3. Prizes
3.1. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
- 1st Prize: €20,000 and a professional concert engagement.
- 2nd Prize: €10,000.
- 3rd Prize: €5,000.
3.2. The judges reserve the right to withhold or share prizes.
3.3. Additional special awards and recognitions may be granted at the discretion of the judges.
4. Rights and Recordings
4.1. The Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges and competition committee reserves the right to record and broadcast all performances in the second and third rounds.
4.2. By participating, contestants grant the festival exclusive rights to the audio and video recordings for promotional and commercial use, without any additional compensation.
4.3 The Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges and competition committee reserve the right to use contestants' images, biographies and recordings from performances, for any current and future promotional materials, commercial recordings, and broadcast purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, use in print, digital media, and social media channels.
5. Judging5.1. The judges will consist of esteemed musicians and music educators from around the world.
5.2. All decisions made by the judges are final and not subject to appeal.
5.3. The results of each round will be announced after the last performance of the respective round.
5.4. Judges may not vote for participants with whom they have a personal or professional relationship. Judges are required to disclose to the chair if there are any conflicts of interest.
5.5. Contestants are not permitted to have contact with any judging member during their participation in the competition. Failure to observe this rule may lead to disqualification of the contestant.
6. Participation, Conflict of Interests and Ethics
6.1. Contestants must demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, and respect for all competition regulations.
6.2. Any form of misconduct, violation of rules, or lack of decorum may result in disqualification.
6.3. Contestants are not allowed to have any other professional commitments in Guadeloupe outside of the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges, while participating in the live rounds of the competition. Doing so will be deemed a conflict of interest and may result in disqualification from the competition as well as a requirement to reimburse all costs incurred by the competition for the applicant.
7. Application and Deadlines
7.1. Interested participants must complete an online application form available on the festival’s official website.
7.2. The deadline for first-round video submissions is 15th August, 2025.
7.3. Applicants will be notified of the results of the first round by 30 September, 2025.
7.4. Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of €120 must be submitted with the application. This fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, regardless of the applicant’s progression or outcome in the competition.
8. Travel and Accommodation8.1. Contestants selected for the second and third rounds will be invited to the Festival International de Musique Saint-Georges in 2025.
8.2. The competition organizers will sponsor hotel accommodation from the date stated on the official invitation until the end of the contestant’s participation in the competition.
8.3. Contestants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Guadeloupe. The competition organizers will not reimburse travel expenses.
8.4. The competition organizers will provide transportation to and from the Pointe-à-Pitre International Airport as well as transportation to and from the concert venues during the competition.
8.5. Competitors admitted to the second and third rounds will be provided with daily meals from the date indicated on the invitation until the end of their participation in the competition.
8.6. Contestants who receive an invitation to participate in the competition and who live in countries requiring a visa to enter the European Union should contact their nearest French Consulate to obtain an EU visa. The competition organizers will provide necessary invitations, but they will not be responsible for obtaining visas or covering related costs.
8.7. Contestants who are invited to participate in the competition but later refuse to perform for any reason must bear all costs associated with their accommodation and travel.
8.8. Accommodations for Guardians: If a contestant is 17 years of age or under on the first day of the second round of the competition, a guardian must accompany the contestant for the duration of their stay in Guadeloupe. The competition organizers will provide the guardian with hotel accommodation, local transportation, and meals from the date stated on the official invitation until the end of the contestant’s participation in the competition.
9. Marketing and Promotional Activities
9.1. Contestants acknowledge that the festival and competition may request their participation in various marketing and promotional activities, including, but not limited to:
- Interviews with media outlets, both local and international.
- Participation in photo shoots, video recordings, and social media content creation.
- Attendance at festival events, masterclasses, and community outreach programs.
9.2. Contestants agree to cooperate and engage in such activities at the reasonable request of the competition organizers.
9.3. Participation in these activities will be without additional compensation. However, the festival will cover any transportation or other costs associated with these events.
10. Language and Territory
10.1. The official language of the competition is English. All communication between the competition organizers and participants, as well as all application materials and documentation, must be in English.
10.2. The competition, festival, and any legal matters arising from participation in the Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, International Violin Competition are subject to the jurisdiction of Guadeloupe, France.
11. Liability and Force Majeure
11.1. The competition is not responsible for any personal injury, damage to instruments, or loss of property that may occur during participation.
11.2. Contestants must comply with all local laws and regulations of Guadeloupe and the EU. Failure to do so may result in disqualification from the competition, a requirement to reimburse all costs incurred by the competition organizers for the contestant, and potential legal action. The competition will not be responsible for assisting with any legal challenges or consequences incurred by contestants as a result of non-compliance with local laws.
11.3. Force Majeure: The competition organizers are not liable for any failure or delay in the performance of their obligations under these rules due to causes beyond their reasonable control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, war, civil unrest, or governmental action.
11.4. In the event of cancellation of the competition due to force majeure or other extenuating circumstances, all application fees paid up to that point will be refunded, except for a 10% administration fee.
12. Miscellaneous
12.1. The competition organizers reserve the right to modify the rules at any time. Any changes will be communicated promptly to the participants via email or the website.
12.2. By submitting an application, participants agree to all terms and conditions outlined in these rules.
For additional inquiries, please contact the Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges International Violin Competition’s office at:
competition@festivalsaintgeorges.com
Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, International Violin Competition
C/O Dr. Hristo Popov, Competition Chairman