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Organizers for the contest, held every four years, received submissions from 44 countries. More than 600 applications from 44 countries have been submitted to the 15th International Tchaikovsky Competition, a classical music competition for pianists, violinists, cellists and vocalists held every four years. Cash prizes are awarded to the top five competitors in each of the instrumental categories and to the top four male and female vocalists. Valery Gergiev, the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theater and the chairman of the competition called 44 countries «a good representation.» Russia will be represented at a very high level in the contest," Gergiev said, «as well as South Korea, and China. But it is necessary to understand that many young South Korean, Chinese and Japanese musicians are trained in Europe, and especially in the United States. Therefore, among the participants, there will be both students and graduates of the largest American and European higher education institutions. More than 200 of the applications were from Russia. Eighty-nine were from South Korea, 54 from China and 38 from Japan. Thirty applications were received from the United States along with 16 from France, 12 each from Germany and Italy, and 3 from the UK. Our winners will have exclusive opportunities in Europe, Russia, Asia, and in America," Gergiev said in an interview with Russian daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta. «And these opportunities will be even better than for winners of the previous competitions. We held a meeting in Carnegie Hall, and we've got guarantees that winners will perform there. We will see traditionally strong schools: The Italian and French cello schools, the South Korean vocal school, and others. I think Russian vocalists will look good. In the last 15-20 years, our presence in the leading world theaters is indisputable. So the 15th Tchaikovsky Competition will reflect music world such as it is today.