School Participation Guide
School registration and ticket sales happen online only, through your country's portal. Your country's portal opens at launch.
School registration opens online at launch, through your country's portal. The finals date is proposed; venue, event time, and registration deadline will be announced by NISMCAA.
Participation for children with special needs
NISMCAA welcomes children with special needs in both the music competition and academic awards. Every child deserves the opportunity to participate, develop their talents and have their achievements recognized.
Choose a special needs entry category for school group music, individual student music or student academic awards. These entries are recorded separately for judging comparisons. Academic nominations are free; the displayed music entry fees apply.
Schools can tell us privately about access, communication, sensory, learning or performance support that would help a student participate. Please describe practical support needs, rather than diagnoses or medical records. NISMCAA will discuss arrangements with the school and, where appropriate, the parent or guardian; specific arrangements must be confirmed before participation.
Enter a special needs categoryPrepare an entry
Students must be enrolled at the school they represent, and the school must verify enrollment. There is no age limit for competition eligibility. Required school, student and parent or guardian permissions still apply.
School registration and ticket sales happen online only, through your country's portal. Your country's portal opens at launch.
Music competition
School groups
School group music: no more than 30 students on stage in total, including singers, instrumentalists, and dancers; presentation no longer than 10 minutes, with singing and live instrumentation on the assigned theme. The song and performance must be original student work. Copyrighted songs, loops, prerecorded beats, backing tracks, and external performance aids are not permitted. Instruments must be played live by the student performers.
Individual students
Individual music encourages students to participate in school music. Originality is strongly encouraged. A student may perform a cover song or another copyrighted presentation, but the entrant and school are responsible for any required permissions, licenses, and copyright liability. NISMCAA does not provide permission to use another person’s work. The qualifying video must not exceed 10 minutes.
Elimination rounds take place online under arrangements confirmed by NISMCAA. A jury vets eligible entries; the selected 8–10 finalist schools receive the annual program theme for their live presentation.
Academic nominations
Academic awards recognize students, teachers or instructors, and schools or institutions. Student subjects include Mathematics, Music, Science & Technology and English. Academic nominations are free and require verifiable evidence. No music theme or performance is required.
Prepare the nominee’s achievement, the represented institution and the evidence supporting the nomination. Nominations are completed online in your country's portal at launch.
Permissions and student safety
Participation permission is separate from permission to publish photographs, recordings or profiles. Keep children’s personal details confidential. Discuss practical participation support with NISMCAA and obtain confirmation before an event. Do not email medical records or other sensitive child information.
Read Child Care & ProtectionPublished profiles and results
Previously approved public profiles and published audience totals remain available to read. New voting and profile submissions are unavailable. Public votes do not replace jury assessment.
Read approved student profiles