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The Royal Master Series

UMBRA TALENT Live Competition

Registration & Preselection

Apply by January 1, 2026 with a video to participate in the "UMBRA TALENT Music Competition 2026".

Winners to proceed to Final round will be announced on January 5, 2026. 

When and Where?

Application Deadline (Application Fee & Video Submission)

January, 1st 2026

Preliminary Round Announcement to Final Round

January 5, 2026

*The selected participants travel to Los Angeles for the final round on January 17 &18. 

Public Final Round

January 17 & 18

Location :

Steinway Piano Gallery Pasadena 

150 E Colorado Blvd Ste 101 Pasadena, CA 91105

 

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WINNER'S CONCERTS

Winners will be invited to perform Charity Concerts at Theater, Museum, Library, Senior Center, Church, School, and more. Times and Venues TBA.  

Please note: *Photos and videos will be taken during the event for public relations purposes. 

                       *Contestants who are invited to perform at the winner's concerts may be asked to pay an additional service fee.

Image by Larisa Birta
Performing Ochestra

Repertoire - Live Division

Prodigy I (Under 6)

Preliminary Round: Up to 2 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Final Round: Up to 2 minutes program selected by the contestant

Prodigy II (6-7 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 3 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Final Round: Up to 3 minutes program selected by the contestant

 

Junior I (8-9 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 5 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Final Round: Up to 5 minute program selected by the contestant

 

Junior II (10-11 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 6 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Final Round: Up to 6 minutes program selected by the contestant

 

Young Musician I (12–13 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 7 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Semi-Final & Final Rounds: Up to 7 minutes program selected by the contestant

 

Young Musician II (14-15 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 9 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Semi-Final & Final Round: Up to 9 minutes program selected by the contestant

 

Emerging Artist (16-17 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 10 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Semi-Final & Final Round: Up to 10 minutes program selected by the contestant

 

Professional Artist (18-35 years old)

Preliminary Round: Up to 20 minutes program chosen by the contestant

Semi-Final & Final Round: Up to 20 minutes program selected by the contestant

 

 

Professional Composers (age 16 and up)

*Contestants choose one of the following categories and perform a 10-minute program. Works by one or more composers can be performed as long as they are under the same category.

Baroque Category:

Preliminary & Final Round: Contestant’s choice of up to 10 minutes program. Works written between 1600 and 1750.

Classical Category:

Preliminary & Final Round: Contestant’s choice of up to 10 minutes program. Works written between 1750 and 1820.

 

Romantic Category:

Preliminary & Final Round: Contestant’s choice of up to 10 minutes program. Works written between 1820 and 1900.

 

20th Century Category & Contemporary:

Preliminary & Final Round: Contestant’s choice of up to 10 minutes program. Works written after 1900. 

 

 

Amateur (18 and up) / None Music Major

*Contestant who has ever studied in Music major may NOT apply for this category.

Preliminary Round: Contestant’s choice of a program that is up to 10 minutes.

Final Round: Contestant’s choice of a program that is up to 10 minutes.

Chamber Groups

Preliminary & Final Round: Contestant’s choice of up to 10 minutes program.

Regulation - Live Division
 

Eligibility and Participation:

  1. The Competition is open to musicians in all ages and all nationalities.

  2. All applicants can participate in more than one category. The fee and application must be submitted separately.

  3. All applicants can apply for both Live and Online competitions.

 

Instruments: Piano, Strings, Woodwind, Voice, Chamber Groups

 

Categories:

Prodigy I (Age Under 6)

Prodigy II (Age 6-7)

Junior I (Age 8-9)

Junior  II (Age 10-11)

Young Musician I (Age 12-13)

Young Musician II (Age 14-15)

Emerging Artist (Age 16-17)

Professional Artist (Age 18-35)

Professional Composers (Age 16 and up)

Amateur (Age 18 and up)

Chamber Groups

(For Program Requirements of each category, please see the Repertoire section)

 

 

Application Deadline and Fee:

  1. The application must be submitted by January 1, 2026. Submissions must be on time to be accepted.

  2. A non-refundable application fee of 170 USD is due with the application.

 

Video Submission:

  1. The video should be uncut and unedited (without effects, zoom, titles, or fades).

  2. The video recording should be of good technical quality (no dynamic compression)

  3. Works may be recorded in one take or separately.

  4. All works must be performed by memory (Except for the Amateur Category. Performing by memory is OPTIONAL for the Amateur Category)

  5. Contestants may perform with or without repeat as long as the performance duration meets the requirement (for the time range of each category, please refer to the Repertoire page).

  6. One or more works may be performed. 

  7. Videos may be uploaded on Youtube, Youku, Bilibili, and other platforms upon request.

 

After Preliminary Submission & On Competition Day

Invitation to The Final Round:

  1. Preliminary Round decisions will be made, and Invitations to the Final Round will be sent by January 5, 2026.

  2. Judges will invite contestants from each category to the Final Round in Los Angeles.  

 

Program:

  1. The final Round program can either be the same as the Preliminary round or different.

  2. Contestants may perform with or without repeat as long as the performance duration meets the requirement (for the time range of each category, please refer to the Repertoire page)

  3. All works must be performed by memory (Except for the Amateur Category and Chamber Groups).

 

Schedule of Performance:

  1. All contestants must arrive at the performance venue at least an hour before their assigned time slot.

  2. Warmup rooms with pianos might be available for all the contestants.

  3. The competition committee will draw the order of each contestant’s performance, which also reserves the right to make any necessary changes.

 

Judging Criteria:

The judging criteria for the competition include, but are not limited to:

  • Technique

  • Musicality

  • Interpretation

  • Stage presence

  • Overall performance

 

Awards & Prizes:

Scholarship Prizes, Certificate of Diploma, Trophy, Winner’s Concerts. 

Other Rules:

*Competitors must wear appropriate concert attire.

*The live competition will be open to the family and friends of all contestants.

*Competitors may not communicate with the judges during the competition.

*All decisions made by the judges are final.

*Competitors who do not adhere to the rules and regulations of the competition may be disqualified.

*The Competition is not responsible for the contestant’s cost of travel, meals, lodging, or other expenses.

Awards - Live Division

Prodigy (Age Under 6) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Second Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

Prodigy II (Age 6-7) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Second Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

Junior I (Age 8-9) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Second Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

 

Junior II (Age 10-11) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Second Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

Young Musician I (Age 12-13) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Second Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

 

Young Musician II (Age 14-15) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Second Prize:  Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to play in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

 

Emerging Artist (Age 16-17) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Second Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

 

Professional Artist (Age 18-35) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Second Prize:  Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in the Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

 

Professional Composer (Age 16+) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Second Prize:  Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in the Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

 

Amateur (Age 18+) :

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, invitation to perform in Winner’s Concert

Second Prize:  Trophy, Certificate of Diploma

Third Prize: Medal, Certificate of Diploma

Honorable Mention: Certificate Diploma

Chamber Groups 

First Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

Second Prize:  Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in the Winner Concert

Third Prize: Trophy, Certificate Diploma, Invitation to perform in Winner Concert

The Royal Music Competition
The Royal Music Competition
The Royal Music Competition
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The Royal Music Competition
The Royal Music Competition
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