GENIUS Music heightens public concern for environmental problems and offers solutions by pulling at the auditory heartstrings through performance (as a performer). GENIUS Music allows the student artists to influence the public at the level of the heart. Performances may be in any style, but must exhibit a high degree of performance acumen, rehearsal, care, and thought. All projects must include a tie-in to the environment. Performers may use an already-written composition that was created with reference to the environment. EXAMPLE: Perform Maurice Ravel’s Jeux D’eau (Water Games) on the piano.You will read your Artist Statement prior to the performance, which will allow the audience to understand why you chose this piece. Alternatively, a performer may use a composition that does not contain an overt reference to the environment. In this case, your Artist statement read to the audience will help them discover how this piece relates to the environment for the artist.
Music | Solo Performance
GENIUS Music Solo Performance combines the puppetry of the composer with the talent of a single artist to offer a unique blend of inspiration. The human voice and musical instruments have special a power to touch the soul in direct and indirect ways. Solo performance projects can be prepared by only one student. Student artist may either "play an instrument live" or "play an instrument and sing live at the same time". For an example, check this out.
Music | Group Performance
GENIUS Music Group Performance combines the puppetry of the composer with the talent of a group of artists to offer a unique blend of inspiration. Group performance (band) projects can be prepared by up to three students. For example, check this out.
Music | Singer
GENIUS Music Singer provides its exceptional voice to influence others. Singer projects can be prepared by only one student. Student artists are expected to sing a song (either existing or their song) live, however, the music can be either live or playback. The student must bring a high-quality playback music to the competition. For an example, check this out.
Participants submit their project either directly to Genius Olympiad or through an affiliated fair. Finalists are chosen to display their project at the 5-day Genius Olympiad at the University of Rochester in June. All participants will receive a GENIUS Participant Certificate for their ambition and participation. Four tiers of awards and gifts will be given according to the student’s total score within their category:
- Top Grand Gold Award: To the top one project in each category: A Grand Certificate, a gold medal, and an award will be given.
- Gold Medal: To top 10 % of the participants: A Gold Certificate and a gold medal.
- Silver Medal: To top 90-70% of the participants: A Silver Certificate and a silver medal.
- Bronze Medal: To top 70-50% of the participants. A Bronze Certificate and a bronze medal.
- Honorable Mention: To top 50-20% of the participants. A certificate will be given to all Honorable Mention winners.
Location(s)
- Remote
- Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
Schedule
- Year-round
- Genius Olympiad Finals: June 12 - 16
Cost/Compensation
- $50 application fee
- $425 registration fee for finals (if selected)
- Additional fees for participant guests and chaperones
Eligibility Requirements
- The GENIUS Olympiad is open to all international and U.S. students studying in grades 9-12 (or the equivalent).
- All students under 17 years old must attend the GENIUS Olympiad with an adult supervisor (a teacher, a parent, or a guardian).
- Minimum age requirement for student participants is 13.
- Each student may present only one project. In the case of being a finalist for multiple projects, the applicant must choose which project to present.
Deadline
- March 1: Application deadline for ALL individual/school/International Fair applications.
- April 18: Application deadline for affiliated US/EU Fairs Certificate Holders.
Application or Entry Requirements
- Music Group Performance projects can be prepared and submitted by a maximum of three students. Solo Performance and Singer projects can be prepared and submitted by only one student.
- The application requires an artist statement, the score, and the video of the performance.
- A well-produced and well-rehearsed video of the performance (for all subcategories) must be uploaded to YouTube with the title: "GENIUS Olympiad - YEAR: TITLE". The YouTube link must be provided as part of the application within Media Link.
- The artist statement should be less than 500 words and should describe the connection of the composition or the performance to the environment. The artist statement should be written in English and will be read to a live audience. The statement should be saved as a PDF or Word file with file name as follows: Country_projectname_statement. The statement must be uploaded to the application site.
- Your file names must be in English characters and file names must be less than 25 characters.
- By submitting an application, you give rights to GENIUS Olympiad to freely use your creative work.
Notifications of Decisions
- Finalists are announced in April
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
Have other questions?
GENIUS Olympiad promotes a global understanding of environmental issues and the achievement of sustainability through basic science, arts, creative writing, engineering, design, and business development. In practice, GENIUS Olympiad is an international high school project competition that equips high school students around the world to cope with and elicit solutions to environmental problems. Founded and organized by Terra Science and Education, the Olympiad is now hosted by the Rochester Institute of Technology.
