All pieces must be performed by heart (except for the duo sonatas).

• Pre-Category: born in 2012 or younger  

Programme of choice (max. duration 5 minutes) / Pre-Category is not competitive

• 1st Category: born in 2011 or younger

Programme (max. duration 10 minutes):
a) Two pieces of contrasting character with piano (it may be two movements of a single sonata/concerto)  
b) A piece for cello solo (it may be an etude)
At least one piece in every category should be from the country of the competitor’s education

• 2nd Category: born in 2009 or younger

Programme (max. duration 15 minutes):
a) A movement of concerto/sonata with piano (two contrasting movements if a pre-classical sonata)
b) A piece for cello solo (it may be an etude or a capriccio)
c) A short piece of choice
At least one piece in every category should be from the country of the competitor’s education

• 3rd Category: born in 2007 or younger

Programme (max. duration 20 minutes):
a) A movement of concerto/sonata with piano (two contrasting movements if a pre-classical sonata)
b) A piece for cello solo (it may be an etude or a capriccio)
c) A slow piece of choice
d) A virtuoso piece of choice
At least one piece in every category should be from the country of the competitor’s education

• 4th Category: born in 2005 or younger

Programme (max. duration 25 minutes):
a) A movement of concerto/sonata with piano (two contrasting movements if a pre-classical sonata)
b) A piece for cello solo (it may be an etude or a capriccio)
c) A slow piece of choice
d) A virtuoso piece of choice
At least one piece in every category should be from the country of the competitor’s education

• 5th Category: born in 2003 or younger

Programme (max. duration 30 minutes):
a) A movement of concerto/sonata with piano (two contrasting movements if a pre-classical sonata)
b) An etude/capriccio of an appropriate level
c) A movement of a suite for cello solo by J. S. Bach
d) A slow piece of choice
e) A virtuoso piece of choice

At least one piece in every category should be from the country of the competitor’s education

• 6th Category: born in 2001 or younger

Programme (max. duration 50 minutes for both rounds):
1st Elimination Round:
a) An etude or a capriccio
b) A slow piece of choice
c) A movement of concerto (from J. Haydn forward)
2nd Round – Finals:
a) A movement of a suite for cello solo by J. S. Bach
b) A complete sonata for cello and piano (from L. van Beethoven forward)
c) A virtuoso piece of choice

At least one piece in every category should be from the country of the competitor’s education