Play with Ray

This year, Play with Ray is happening in Tokyo! Play with Ray is an exciting competition and concert by violinist Ray Chen, presented by Sumida Triphony Hall / Japan Arts Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “the Presenter”), and open to amateur violinists from around the world.
Selected winners will be given the opportunity to receive a masterclass from Ray Chen in Tokyo, as well as the special opportunity to perform together with Ray Chen and the New Japan Philharmonic. It provides a platform for emerging talents to take flight and achieve new heights.

Special Concert (Saturday, September 19)
In the first half, selected winners will share the stage with Ray Chen and New Japan Philharmonic performing J.S. Bach’s Double Violin Concerto.
In the second half, following his performance of The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi and Astor Piazzolla in February, Ray Chen will perform The Four Seasons by Max Richter.
We invite you to experience the new soundscape of “The Four Seasons” brought to life by Ray Chen!

Concert

Date/Time
Saturday, September 19, 2026, 3:00 PM
Venue
Sumida Triphony Hall, Main Hall
2-3 , Kinshi 1-chome, Sumida-ku, Tokyo Japan
Program
J.S.Bach : Concerto for 2 Violins, BWV 1043
Max Richter : Vivaldi/The Four Seasons Recomposed by Max Richter
(Please note that the program is subject to change due to circumstances.)
Artists
Ray Chen
Audition GrandPrix artist
New Japan Philharmonic
Prices

(to be announced)

Purchase tickets
Ticket
Trifony Hall Ticket Center
To use this service, you must register as a Triphony Hall Ticket Member (free of charge).
Ticket Pia: https://t.pia.jp/ (P-Code:)
Lawson Ticket: https://l-tike.com/ (L-Code:)
ePlus: https://eplus.jp/
Confetti: 0120-240-540 https://www.confetti-web.com/
*Ticket sales at the Triphony Hall Ticket Center will begin at 11:00 AM.
On-sale date
Sunday, April 19, 2026, 10:00 AM

Auditon

Selected winners will be offered a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity in Tokyo!

Requirements

Eligibility for application

Non-professional/Amateur violinists*1
Anyone can apply, regardless of nationality*2 or age*3

  • Members of the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and their families (parents, children, spouses, siblings and their spouses, and those living together) are not eligible to apply.
  • Those affiliated with Ray Chen or any organization related to the event are not eligible to apply.
  • *1 An amateur violinist is someone whose primary source of income is not playing the violin.
  • *2 Limited to regions permitted for entry into Japan by law.
  • *3 Regarding applicants under the age of 18 ("minors")
    • Entries must be submitted on behalf of a parent or legal guardian.
    • Parents may be required to register as applicants and provide proof of relationship.
    • If it is discovered that an application has been submitted by a minor, the application will be invalid.
Application conditions

Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated based on a video of their own performance.

Performance pieces and contents

J.S. Bach / Concerto for two violins in D minor, BWV.1043
1st movement・2nd movement・3rd movement
You can apply for any of the three movements of your choice (a separate video and application is required for each movement).
Please perform the 1st solo violin part.

After checking out the video below, upload your own video to YouTube (Visibility setting must be uploaded as “Public”) and enter the URL in the application form. You can apply with a performance synchronized to a video, or with an unaccompanied performance.

  • 1st movement

  • 2nd movement

  • 3rd movement

Judge

Ray Chen
Selected members of the New Japan Philharmonic

Audition participation fee

Free
The cost of filming the video will be borne by the applicant.

How to apply

Please read the application terms and conditions carefully and apply using the application form below.
Applications other than this form will not be accepted.

* You can only apply once

Deadline

Friday, May 31, 2026 23:59 JST
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Incomplete entries or entries that do not comply with the terms and conditions may be disqualified at the judges' discretion.
The contest may be canceled or modified depending on circumstances.

Selected Winners

Number of winners

3 people number may change depending on circumstances.

Examination results

Selected winners will be notified by email in late June 2026. Participants who are not selected will not receive an email regarding the result.
Selected applicants will be required to sign a contract before official announcement.

About the concert

Details regarding rehearsal and performance dates will be provided when selected winners are notified.

What we offer
  • Round-trip economy airfare from your place of residence to Japan (Tokyo)
  • Hotel accommodation in Tokyo
  • Transportation for competition-related activities
  • * If the participant is under 18 years of age, the same content will be provided for one guardian. However, additional accommodation and personal expenses will be borne by the finalist.
  • * Any personal expenses and taxes not listed above will be the responsibility of the finalist.
About traveling
  • Participants must guarantee that they are able to travel to Japan and must prepare their own passport and other necessary travel documents.
  • Minors must be accompanied by a guardian.
    If the necessary documents are not submitted by the deadline, if the participant cannot be contacted, or if there is a violation of the terms and conditions, the participant may be disqualified and an alternative finalist may be selected.

[Information Sharing]
The Presenter may share information about applicants, finalists, and winners with partner organizations.

[Rights to Submissions]
Applicants grant the Presenter permission to use the content of their submission (including video).
This right is non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual, and may be used in any way, including editing, distribution, adaptation, translation, and broadcast.

[Governing Law]
These Terms and Conditions and matters relating to participation in Play with Ray are governed by the laws of Japan.

[Indemnity]
Applicants agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Presenter and other related parties from any damages arising from their use of the website, participation in the audition, provision of feedback, or violation of these Terms and Conditions.

[Disclaimer]
The Presenter is not responsible for any errors or problems related to the audition, such as loss, communication failure, or technical issues. Applicants found to have engaged in fraudulent activity will be disqualified.

Application form (available from May 1st)