FAQ

Find quick answers to common questions.

What is the WAAO Ranking Tournament?

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The WAAO Ranking Tournament is not a separate final competition, but an annual ranking system that selects the year's top musicians by aggregating points earned from all competitions affiliated with WAAO throughout the year. The accumulated points are tallied until the end of November each year, and top-ranked musicians receive special benefits based on their final ranking.


Click the button below to learn more about the Ranking Tournament.

Learn about WAAO Ranking Tournament Rules

Eligibility & Categories

Can string or percussion instruments participate?

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This competition is exclusively for woodwind and brass instruments to find the most outstanding 'wind artist'. Other instrument families such as strings or percussion are not eligible for this specific competition. WAAO hosts separate competitions for other major instruments and plans to continuously expand its competition portfolio. Please refer to the WAAO main website for the full list of available competitions.

Are participants judged separately by category?

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Yes, participants are judged only within their registered category. For example, a Junior category participant will be ranked only against other Junior participants.

Can I apply to a higher age category?

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Yes, you can. You may apply to a category for an older age group than your own (e.g., a 13-year-old applying to the Junior category). However, the reverse is not possible (e.g., a 20-year-old applying to the Junior category). The Professional category is open to participants of all ages and levels.

Can amateurs apply to the Professional category?

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Yes, you can. The Professional category has no restrictions on age or major. However, you are required to submit a CV (Curriculum Vitae) when applying.

Can I apply to multiple categories?

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Yes, you can. However, you must fill out a separate application form and pay the respective participation fee for each category.

Do I have to perform from memory?

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No, memorization is not mandatory. It is acceptable to perform while looking at the sheet music. However, even if you use sheet music, your face and hands must be clearly visible as per the video regulations.

Application & Fees

What is the refund policy for the application fee?

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No, as per the regulations, all participation fees are non-refundable. This is because administrative procedures, such as assigning judges, begin immediately upon payment. Please make your decision carefully before applying.

What should be included in the CV for the Professional category?

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You can freely include details that showcase your expertise, such as your music-related education, awards, and performance history. There is no set format.

How can I fix my application info?

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You cannot edit the application yourself after submission. If you have missed a required document or entered incorrect information, please request a correction through the contact form at the bottom of the 'FAQ' page. When making a request, please provide the exact information you entered on the application form, such as submission time, name, email address, and video link, so that the administrator can verify and make the correction.

I didn't receive a confirmation email.

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The confirmation email sent after submitting the application is an automated system, so it may sometimes be filtered into your spam folder. Please check your spam folder first.

Video & Judging

Can I submit multiple videos?

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No, you must submit only one video link per application. All pieces you perform must be included in a single, unedited video.

What if my video link doesn't work?

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It is entirely the participant's responsibility to ensure that the video link works correctly. If the link cannot be opened during the judging process, the application cannot be evaluated and may be disqualified. Videos set to 'Private' cannot be viewed by the jury, so please ensure your video is set to 'Public' or 'Unlisted'.

Who are the jury members?

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This competition and WAAO (World Arts Award Organisation) apply strict criteria for the composition of the jury to ensure professionalism and credibility. We only invite authoritative professors and musicians who are world-renowned performers, hold a master's or doctoral degree in the instrument field being judged, and have a history of winning international competitions.



To ensure fairness and independence, the identities of the jury members are kept confidential. This system ensures that jurors can focus solely on the participant's performance without external influence, and any attempt by a participant to contact the jury will result in immediate disqualification.



All jury scores are collected by an independent results announcement team, which calculates an average score to determine the final ranking. This prevents any single juror's opinion from being overly influential and ensures the most objective evaluation.



Furthermore, WAAO will continuously review and strive to introduce the WAAO jury and collaborating world-class artists through the 'Artists' section of its website in the future to provide greater inspiration and motivation to participants.

Can there be no 1st place winner?

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Yes, the jury reserves the right not to award a winner for a specific rank if they determine that no participant's performance meets the artistic standards required for that rank.

Results & Awards

How is the diploma delivered?

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All diplomas are provided as digital files (PDF) and sent to the winners via email. You can print them yourself if needed.

How much is the cash prize for the Grand Prize?

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The prize amount may vary depending on the scale of participants and sponsorship for that year's competition. Detailed information will be provided individually to the Grand Prize winner.

How are taxes on prize money handled?

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As stated in the regulations, all fees incurred upon receiving the prize money and taxes in the winner's country are the sole responsibility of the winner.

Can my video be used for promotion?

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Yes, by submitting an application, participants agree to the use of their performance videos (in part or in full) and photos on the competition's website, social media, and other promotional channels.

WAAO Points & Ranking

What are WAAO Points?

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WAAO Points are annual ranking points awarded to winners of WAAO-affiliated competitions. In this competition, all participants in the Professional category will receive points based on their ranking. Click the button below to check the detailed regulations.


Learn about WAAO Ranking Tournament Rules

What are the benefits of a high ranking?

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Based on the rankings compiled at the end of the year, top-ranked musicians will receive special benefits such as cash prizes and opportunities to be appointed as jury members for WAAO-hosted competitions. Click the button below to check the detailed regulations.


Learn about WAAO Ranking Tournament Rules

What if I use a different email?

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WAAO Ranking Points are automatically aggregated based on the email address used at the time of participation. If your points are split because you accidentally used a different email address, you can request to have them merged after a verification process through the contact form at the bottom of the page. However, to ensure smooth point management and accurate aggregation, we strongly recommend always using the same email address.

Where can I find other WAAO competitions?

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A list of all competitions affiliated with WAAO can be found on the 'Competitions' page of the official WAAO website, and detailed information about the ranking system can be found on the 'Tournament' page. Also, you can check the current rankings on the 'Ranking' page.


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