2026 GUIDE TO TOP COMPETITIONS
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AGO/ECS Publishing Award in Choral Composition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The competition seeks outstanding compositions for SATB chorus and organ in which the organ plays a distinctive and significant role; requirements vary for each competition. There is a $2000 cash prize, publication by ECS Publishing, and a world premiere performance at an AGO National Convention.
MAIN OFFICE
475 Riverside Drive
Suite 1260 New York, NY 10115 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to all composers except AGO/ECS past winners. Membership in the AGO is not required.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Voice • Organ • SATB Chorus
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No |
| Frequency | Biennial |
| First prize | Less than $10,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Not provided |
| Jury size | 1 to 5 |
| Application deadline | June 1, 2026 |
| Application notes | Deadline is tentative and subject to change. |
COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✖ Not open to the public
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American Piano Awards
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The American Piano Awards are held every two years to discover the best aspiring American jazz or classical pianists. Winners receive cash and two years of career advancement and support valued at over $200,000, making this one of the most coveted prizes in the music world.
MAIN OFFICE
4603 Clarendon Road, Suite 030
Indianapolis, IN 46208 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
American citizens between 18 and 30 years old.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes | |
| Frequency | Biennial | |
| First prize | More than $50,000 | |
| Smallest prize | $11,000 to $50,000 | |
| Additional prizes | Performances | |
| Management | ||
| Jury chair(s) | To be announced | |
| Additional jurors | To be announced | |
| Jury size | 1 to 5 | |
| Application fee | No fee | |
| Application deadline | February 1, 2026 | |
| Application notes | The APA process is done through a private nomination process, followed by a free application process. Please reach out if interested in becoming a nominator. You must be nominated to apply as a contestant. The 2027 American Piano Awards will be the jazz competition; nominations occurred in fall of 2025 and finalists will be announced in spring of 2026. | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Spring 2026 (estimated): preliminary round; October - February 2026 (estimated): first round |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Spring 2027 (estimated): finals week; all rounds take place in Indianapolis, IN |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Michael Davidman, classical
2023 Isaiah J. Thompson, classical 2021 Kenny Broberg, classical 2019 Emmet Cohen, jazz 2017 Drew Petersen, classical 2015 Sullivan Fortner, jazz 2013 Sean Chen, classical 2011 Aaron Diehl, jazz 2009 Grace Fong & Adam Golka, classical |
SOCIAL LINKS
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The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Based on record performances, The American Prize provides evaluation, recognition, and reward to America's finest performing artists, ensembles, conductors, composers, and stage directors. Professional, college/university, community, and high school artists are welcomed; there are no age limits.
MAIN OFFICE
HCMT—The American Prize
25 Hamilton Drive, Suite 100 The Opera Cottage Danbury, CT 06811 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The competitions of The American Prize are open to all U.S. citizens, whether living in this country or abroad, and to others who live or have lived, worked or studied in the U.S, its protectorates and territories. There are no age limits.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Conducting • Composition • Piano • Strings • Voice • Classical Vocalists • Orchestras • Choruses • Bands • Opera Companies • Musical Theater Companies • Stage Directors • Chamber Ensembles • Instrumental Soloists • Orchestral Programming • Performance of American Music
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First prize | Less than $10,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Jury chair(s) | David (Volosin) Katz, chief judge |
| Additional jurors | Sharon Sweet, voice Susanne Mentzer, voice Jeffrey Biegel, piano Lorin Hollander, piano Judith Zaimont, composition Christoph Ptack, opera and musical theater |
| Jury size | 1 to 5 |
| Application fee | $65 individuals, $99 ensembles |
| Application deadline | May 19, 2026 |
| Application notes | Preliminary deadline for composers, chamber musicians, instrumental soloists, classical vocalists and pianists is May 5, 2026. Deadline for conductors, ensembles, stage directors, arts administrators, and American music performance is May 19, 2026. See here for additional information. |
FINALS (live rounds)
The American Prize judges review recorded performances only, submitted via online links or on disc; there is no live competition. Semifinalists, finalists, runners-up, and winners in separate announcements over the course of the contest year. The American Prize is administered by Hat City Music Theater, Inc., a nonprofit organization. |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✖ Not open to the public
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
Roomful of Teeth, professional chorus
Gemma New, conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya, conductor Kenneth Kiesler, conductor Philip Brunelle, conductor Justin Dello Joio, composer |
SOCIAL LINKS
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CONCOURS GÉZA ANDA
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ARD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC COMPETITION
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THE AZRIELI MUSIC PRIZES
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Expanded information for
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Gina Bachauer International Junior & Young Artists Piano Competitions
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The 2026 Gina Bachauer International Junior and Young Artists Piano Competitions will have the international piano world abuzz. Junior Competitors, ages 11-14, and Young Artists Competitors, ages 15-18, will vie for medals and their share of $62,000 in cash prizes. Young Artists final round will be with the Utah Symphony. Note: The application deadline for the 2026 event has passed; the next application deadline is in 2027.
MAIN OFFICE
Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation
138 West Broadway, Suite 220 Salt Lake City, UT 84101 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
Junior Competition: ages 11 to 14; Young Artists Competition: ages 15 to 18; Artists Competition: 19 to 32
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Composition
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No |
| Frequency | Biennial |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Douglas Humpherys |
| Additional jurors | Tanya Bannister Alvin Chow Daejin Kim Alexander Korsantia Carolyn True Eleanor Wong |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application fee | $175 |
| Application deadline | May 15, 2027 |
| Application notes | Junior and Young Artists Competition application deadline has passed. Artists Competition details and application specifics will be announced in spring 2027. |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
June 15-18 (Junior) & June 22-25 (Young Artists), 2026: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City, UT |
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FINALS (live rounds)
June 20, 2026 (Junior): Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City, UT June 27, 2026 (Young Artists): Abravanel Hall with Utah Symphony, Salt Lake City, UT |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2021 Maria Eydman, Young Artists Gold Medal
2016 Jaehong Park, Young Artists Gold Medal 2016 Chaeyoung Park, Young Artists Silver Medal 2012 Leonardo Colafelice, Young Artists Gold Medal 2008 Aristo Sham, Junior Gold Medal |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Banff International String Quartet Competition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Since 1983, Banff International String Quartet Competition has celebrated the art of chamber music while providing career support for emerging string quartets. With the largest prizes in chamber music and a dedicated audience, a once-in-a-lifetime experience unfolds for all in attendance, including outstanding music, enlightening lectures, engaging conversations, and spectacular mountain vistas.
MAIN OFFICE
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
PO Box 1020 Station 23 Banff, AB T1L 1H5 CANADA
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to string quartets of all nationalities whose members are under the age of 35 on August 28, 2028. See here for additional eligibility requirements.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Strings
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes |
| Frequency | Triennial |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Barry Shiffman, director, BISQC |
| Additional jurors | To be announced |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application fee | $200 |
| Application deadline | March 1, 2028 |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
August 28 - September 3, 2028, Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Banff, AB, Canada: Up to ten competing quartets perform in all four preliminary rounds |
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FINALS (live rounds)
September 3, 2028, Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, Banff, AB, Canada: Three quartets advance to the finals |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Poiesis Quartet
2022 Isidore String Quartet 2019 Marmen Quartet & Viano String Quartet (tie) 2016 Rolston String Quartet 2013 Dover String Quartet 2010 Cecilia String Quartet 2007 Tinalley String Quartet 2004 Jupiter String Quartet 2001 Daedalus Quartet 1998 Miró Quartet 1995 Amernet Quartet 1992 St. Lawrence String Quartet 1989 Quatuor Manfred 1986 Franciscan Quartet 1983 Colorado Quartet |
SOCIAL LINKS
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BARBASH J.S. BACH COMPETITION
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Barlow Endowment for Music Composition--Prize Competition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The 2026 winning composer receives a $15,000 commission for a major new work for Two Pianos and Two Percussionists. The work will be performed by a consortium of performers to be announced.
MAIN OFFICE
Barlow Endowment
701 East University Parkway 189 WCO Provo, UT 84602 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
There are no restrictions with regard to musical style, nationality, age, gender, race, religion, or political persuasion; previous Barlow Prize winners and members of the Barlow Boards are not eligible.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Composition
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No |
| Frequency | Annual |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | $11,000 to $50,000 |
| Jury chair(s) | Not provided |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application deadline | June 1, 2026 |
| Application notes | This deadline is a receipt deadline, not mailing deadline. |
FINALS (live rounds)
By September 15: Notification of winners is announced each year on the website and Facebook |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✖ Not open to the public
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 David Biedenbender, composer, wind symphony
2024 Karim Al-Zand, organ 2023 Viet Cuong, solo guitar (nylon strings) 2022 Bobby Ge, youth symphony orchestra 2021 Texu Kim, sinfonietta 2020 Christopher Trapani, song cycle for soprano and piano 2019 Becca Sims, Pierrot ensemble and percussion + electronics 2018 Tawnie Olson, SATB choir 2017 Stacy Garrop, reed quintet 2016 Gilad Cohen, violin and piano 2015 Alberto Colla, symphony orchestra 2014 Ben Hjertmann, saxophone quartet 2013 Narong Prongchareon, wind ensemble |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Bartók World Competition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Bartók World Competition rotates among disciplines each year, with the composition competition taking place in even years, such as 2026; 2023 was for violinists, 2025 for pianists, and 2027 will be for string quartets.
MAIN OFFICE
8 Liszt Ferenc tér
1061 Budapest HUNGARY
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The competition is open to competitors of all nationalities under 40.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Composition
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No | |
| Frequency | Biennial | |
| First prize | Less than €10,000 | |
| Smallest prize | Less than €5,000 | |
| Additional prizes | Performances | |
| Management | ||
| Jury chair(s) | Anders Hillborg | |
| Additional jurors | Dr. Natalie Nicholas Matthew Aucoin Gyula Fekete |
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| Jury size | 1 to 5 | |
| Application deadline | August 25, 2026 | |
| Application notes | It is usually August in the composition years; it is usually April or May in the instrumental competition years. | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
Semifinals are not open to the public in the Composers Competition |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Final gala concert and award ceremony of the Composers Competition is usually on the last Sunday of November at Liszt Academy Budapest, Hungary |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✖ | Semifinals | ✖ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Jeonghwan Kim, piano
2024 Lee Hanuri, composition 2023 Lilia Pocitari, violin 2022 Veljko Nenadić, composition 2021 Quartet Integra - Misawa Kyoka, Kikuno Rintaro, Yamamoto Itsuki, Tsukiji Anri, string quartet 2020 Okamoto Sinshuke, composition 2019 Ádám Szokolay, piano 2018 Dániel Dobos, composition 2017 Cosima Soulez-Larivière, violin |
SOCIAL LINKS
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BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2027
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World is known throughout the classical music world as one of the premiere showcases for young professional singers at the start of their careers. It is broadcast on BBC Television, Radio and online, and can be seen and heard throughout the world. The Main Prize is for opera and oratorio with orchestra; the Song Prize is for art song with piano.
MAIN OFFICE
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World
BBC Studios Roath Lock Cardiff CF10 4AH WALES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
Open to singers of any nationality, at the beginning of their professional career, who will have probably studied at a conservatoire of music or equivalent. Entrants must be 18 to 34 years of age. See here for more details.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Voice
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes |
| Frequency | Biennial |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Welsh National Opera general director |
| Additional jurors | To be announced |
| Jury size | 1 to 5 |
| Application deadline | November 23, 2026 |
| Application notes | Deadline for the competition is end of November 2026, subject to change. |
FINALS (live rounds)
June 2027 (dates to be announced), St. David's Hall, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom: Main prize and song prize finals |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2023 Adolfo Corrado, Italy, bass
2021 Gihoon Kim, South Korea, baritone 2019 Andrei Kymach, Ukraine, baritone 2017 Catriona Morison, Scotland, mezzo-soprano 2015 Nadine Koutcher, Belarus, soprano 2013 Jamie Barton, United States, mezzo-soprano 1999 Anja Harteros, Germany, soprano 1995 Katarina Karneus, Sweden, mezzo-soprano 1989 Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Russia, baritone 1983 Karita Mattila, Finland, soprano |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Besançon International Competition for Young Conductors
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Established in 1951 the Besançon Competition is the most complete competition in the world with classical, Romantic, 20th-century, and contemporary music, opera, and concerto. It is the only one where candidates are selected during live preliminary rounds (and not on their documentation).
MAIN OFFICE
Besançon International Competition
Festival de musique 9 rue du Palais de Justice 25000 Besançon FRANCE
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The Competition is open to candidates of any nationality under the age of 35.
No previous orchestra conducting diploma is required. A graduate degree in instrumental or vocal practice is required.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Conducting
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes | |
| Frequency | Biennial | |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 | |
| Additional prizes | Performances | |
| Management | ||
| Jury chair(s) | Not provided | |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
| Application deadline | January 2027, specific date to be announced | |
| Application notes | Application expected to be open October 1, 2026 | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
September 2027, Besançon, France: 1st and 2nd round symphony; semifinal opera and concerto. Selection rounds take place in front of two jury members. Each candidate has to conduct two pianists playing two pianos. At the end of the selection rounds, 20 candidates will be selected for the final rounds with orchestra. |
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FINALS (live rounds)
September 2027, Besançon, France: Final symphony and world premiere |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✖ | Semifinals | ✖ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Satoshi Yoneda, Japan
2023 Swann Van Rechem, France 2021 Not awarded 2019 Nodoka Okisawa, Japan 2017 Ben Glassberg, United Kingdom 2015 Jonathon Heyward, United States 2011 Yuki Kakiuchi, Japan 2009 Kazuki Yamada, Japan |
SOCIAL LINKS
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FERRUCCIO BUSONI INTERNATIONAL PIANO COMPETITION
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BYRD YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION
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Cleveland International Piano Competition for Young Artists
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
With over $30,000 in prizes, the Cleveland International Piano Competition and Institute for Young Artists offers unparalleled musical experiences for today's world.
MAIN OFFICE
20600 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 610
Cleveland OH 44122 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
Young Artist competition 2026 for ages 10 to 18: Rising Stars (10 to 12), Junior Division (13 to 15), and Senior Division (16 to 18). The 2027 Cleveland International Piano Competition is for ages 18 to 32.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes |
| Frequency | Triennial |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Olga Kern, United States |
| Additional jurors | Shani Diluka, France; Álvaro Teixeira Lopes, Portugal; Matti Raekallio, Finland; Alexander Schimpf, Germany; Ilana Vered, United States/Israel; Xiaohan Wang, China; Amy Yang, United States |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application deadline | Applications for the 2027 competition open March 2026; the deadline for the 2026 events has passed |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
June 24-28, 2027, Mixon Hall at Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH |
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FINALS (live rounds)
Kulas Hall at Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH: July 30, 2027, with Canton Symphony Orchestra; July 29, 2026: master class final with Jean-Yves Thibaudet |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2023 Saehyun Kim, Elisey Mysin, Ryan Wang
2018 Eva Gevorgyan, Yunchan Lim |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Eighteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The next competition will take place in June 2029. Prizes are valued at more than $2 million, including cash, concert tours, publicity packages and training, websites, and individualized artistic and financial consultation. Widespread exposure for participants features global media coverage, a fully produced live broadcast to millions internationally, and a feature-length documentary.
MAIN OFFICE
201 Main Street, Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76102 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
Ages 18 to 30; first-prize winners of previous Cliburn competitions are not eligible to compete.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes | |
| Frequency | Quadrennial | |
| First prize | More than $50,000 | |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 | |
| Additional prizes | Performances | |
| Management | ||
| Jury chair(s) | Not provided | |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 | |
| Application fee | $150 | |
| Application notes | The next competition will take place in June 2029; application information will be announced at a later date. | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
June 2029, Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX |
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FINALS (live rounds)
June 2029, Bass Performance Hall, Fort Worth, TX |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Aristo Sham
2022 Yunchan Lim 2017 Yekwon Sunwoo 2013 Vadym Kholodenko; Beatrice Rana (silver medalist) 2009 Haochen Zhang |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Cliburn International Competition for Young Pianists
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The quadrennial international competition for 13- to 17-year-old pianists will be held in June 2027 in Dallas, TX, on the campus of Southern Methodist University and at Meyerson Symphony Center. All performances will be webcast live and on demand; final round performances will be with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
MAIN OFFICE
201 Main Street, Suite 100
Fort Worth, TX 76102 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
Competitors must be 13 to 17 years of age
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes |
| Frequency | Quadrennial |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Jury chair(s) | Not provided |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application fee | $125 |
| Application deadline | November 17, 2026 |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
June 2027, Caruth Auditorium at SMU, Dallas, TX |
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FINALS (live rounds)
June 2027, Meyerson Symphony Center. Dallas, TX |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2023 Seokyoung Hong
2019 Shuan Hern Lee 2015 Alim Beisembayev |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Colorado College Summer Music Festival
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Colorado College Summer Music Festival is an intensive three-week program for 52 advanced student musicians, including violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, and conducting. Participants are chosen from hundreds of applicants to partake in this unique program of learning and public performances.
Fellows accepted to the festival have the option of competing to perform a chosen piece in our Concerto Readings where the faculty critique the soloist. Fellows audition and two or three fellows are chosen; it is a competition only open to those who are accepted to the festival. MAIN OFFICE
Mailing address: 819 North Tejon Street
Physical address: 5 West Cache La Poudre Street, #112 Colorado Springs, CO 80903 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
At least 18 years old; advanced, pre-professional musicians
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Conducting • Piano •
Strings
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Jury chair(s) | Scott Yoo, conductor, Colorado College Summer Music Festival Orchestra, violinist, host of PBS series Now Hear This |
| Additional jurors | Colorado Music College faculty, see here for details |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application fee | $75 ($85 after February 17, 2026); financial needs are considered |
| Application deadline | February 15, 2026 |
| Application notes | Applications are submitted via SlideRoom; see here for application instructions and information. |
FINALS (live rounds)
If accepted as a 2026 Summer Music Festival Fellow, string auditions are June 6 2026, in Packard Hall, Colorado Springs, CO |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✖ Not open to the public
SOCIAL LINKS
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Concert Artists Guild Louis and Susan Meisel Prize
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Concert Artists Guild is thrilled to announce a major update to its artist selection process. Starting with the 2025-2026 season, CAG will shift from its annual competition to a year-round artist selection model designed to prioritize accessibility, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of each artist's unique artistry and career trajectory.
MAIN OFFICE
Concert Artists Guild
224 West 35th Street, Suite 500 #2149 New York, NY 10001 UNITED STATES
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The upcoming competition is open to all instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors, and chamber ensembles. Unique chamber ensemble combinations are encouraged. Age limits: solo instrumentalists, 28 years old; solo singers, 30 years old; conductors, 35 years old; ensembles must have an average age of no more than 30 years old. See here for additional eligibility details.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Conducting • Piano • Strings • Voice • All Solo Instruments • Chamber Ensembles
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No | |
| Frequency | Annual | |
| First prize | No cash prizes awarded | |
| Additional prizes | Performances | |
| Management | ||
| Jury chair(s) | Not provided | |
| Jury size | 11 or more | |
| Application fee | $35 | |
| Application deadline | June 30, 2026 | |
| Application notes | We accept applications and sign artists on a rolling basis. | |
FINALS (live rounds)
May 11, 2026, Kosciuszko Foundation, New York, NY: Winners of the CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize will be featured in a New York City showcase concert |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
✖ Not open to the public
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2008 Claire Chase, flute
2001 Imani Winds 1998 Eighth Blackbird 1994 Jennifer Koh, violin 1985 David Krakauer, clarinet |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Concours de Genève - International Music Competition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
Founded in 1939, the Concours de Genève is one of the world's leading international music competitions. It aims at discovering, promoting, and supporting young talented artists, giving them the necessary tools to launch an international career. Taking place in 2026: semifinals and finals of the Conducting Competition & Composition Competition.
MAIN OFFICE
Concours de Genève International Music Competition
Boulevard de Saint-Georges 34 / CP 268 1211 Genève 8 SWITZERLAND
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The subject of the 2026 Composition Competition is a work for symphony orchestra and is open to candidates born after November 11, 1986.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Conducting • Composition • Piano • Strings • Voice • Flute • Oboe • Clarinet • Cello • Viola • String Quartet • Percussion
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes | |
| Frequency | Annual | |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 | |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 | |
| Additional prizes | Performances | |
| Management | ||
| Jury chair(s) | Bertrand de Billy, conducting jury chair; Unsuk Chin, composition jury chair | |
| Additional jurors | Conducting: Mark Stringer, vice chair Sonia Ben-Santamaria Baldur Brönnimann Martin Campbell-White Unsuk Chin Marzena Diakun Rémi Durupt Laurent Gay Claire Levacher Sarah Nemtanu Eva Ollikainen Peter Oundjian Natalia Ponomarchuk Frauke Roth Arturo Tamayo Wingsie Yip Composition: Toshio Hosokawa Magnus Lindberg Augusta Read Thomas Katharina Rosenberger |
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| Jury size | 11 or more | |
| Application deadline | February 12, 2026 | |
| Application notes | Programme, rules and registration | |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
November 7-8, 2026, Concorde Espace Culture, Geneva, Switzerland: Semifinals 1 & 2, conducting competition, with the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève November 9, 2026, Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland: Semifinal 3, conducting competition, with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande |
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FINALS (live rounds)
November 2026, Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland, with Orchestre de la Suisse Romande Conducting competition final 1, November 11*; final 2, November 13 Composition competition, November 11 * This round is both the Final Round of the Composition Competition and the first Final of the Conducting Competition. |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Sarah Strohm and Brian Isaacs, ex aequo, viola
2024 Chelsea Marilyn Zurflüh, voice 2023 Novo Quartet, quartet 2022 Kevin Chen, piano |
SOCIAL LINKS
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Concours Musical International de Montréal - CMIM
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Concours Musical International de Montréal is a prestigious competition that showcases the international elite of the new generation of classical musicians. Each year, the Concours brings together exceptional young singers, violinists, and pianists to perform and launch their careers on the world stage from Montréal. The competition will be for violin in 2026, piano in 2027, and voice in 2028.
MAIN OFFICE
305 Mont-Royal Avenue East
Montréal, QC H2T 1P8 CANADA
WEBSITE
ELIGIBILITY
The Concours Musical International de Montréal is open to classical artists of all nationalities in the early stages of a professional performing career. Laureates from previous editions are not eligible to apply. Age limits are 16 to 30 for violin and piano editions; 18 to 32 for voice editions.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Piano • Strings •
Voice
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | Yes |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Lucie Robert, Manhattan School of Music |
| Additional jurors | Ju-Young Baek, Seoul National University Glenn Dicterow, former Concertmaster, New York Philharmonic Simin Ganatra, Pacifica Quartet, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Yuzuko Horigome, Royal Conservatory of Brussels, Conservatorium Maastricht Régis Pasquier, Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris Barry Shiffman, Banff International String Quartet Competition and Festival; The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto Pavel Vernikov, University MUK in Vienna, Sion Festival-Switzerland |
| Jury size | 6 to 10 |
| Application fee | $150 |
| Application deadline | October 31, 2026 |
| Application notes | The next application period will be for the Piano edition in 2027. Interested applicants should refer to the competition website starting summer 2026. |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
May 27-31, 2026, Salle Bourgie, Montréal, QC, Canada: Violin |
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FINALS (live rounds)
June 3-4, 2026, Maison Symphonique de Montréal, QC, Canada: Violin
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✔ | Semifinals | ✔ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✔ | Finals streamed |
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PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2025 Fleuranne Brockway, Australia, mezzo-soprano
2024 Jaeden Izik-Dzurko, Canada, piano 2023 Dmytro Udovycheno, Ukraine, violin 2022 Simone McIntosh, Canada, mezzo-soprano (aria category) 2022 Meredith Wohlgemuth, United States, art song category |
SOCIAL LINKS
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