BRAHMS YOUNG MUSICIAN COMPETITION

COMPETITION TIMELINE

APPLICATION DEADLINE

31 August 2026

FINALIST NOTIFICATION

5 September 2026

FINAL ROUND DEADLINE

15 September 2026

WINNERS ANNOUNCED

30 September 2026

1. ELIGIBILITY

The Brahms Young Musician Competition is open to musicians of all ages and nationalities.

The competition welcomes solo performers, chamber ensembles, conductors and composers. Participants must enter the appropriate age group according to their age on the Preliminary Round application deadline.

2. COMPETITION CATEGORIES

The competition is open to the following categories:

  • Piano
  • Strings
  • Voice
  • Woodwinds
  • Brass
  • Chamber Music
  • Conducting
  • Composition

Applicants whose instrument or ensemble is not specifically listed may select the closest relevant category.

3. AGE GROUPS

  • Group A: 7 years old and under
  • Group B: 8–10 years old
  • Group C: 11–13 years old
  • Group D: 14–16 years old
  • Group E: 17–20 years old
  • Group F: 21–25 years old
  • Group G: 26–35 years old
  • Group H: 36 years and above

Participants must enter the appropriate age group according to their age on the Preliminary Round application deadline.

For chamber ensembles, the age group is determined by the average age of all ensemble members on the Preliminary Round application deadline.

4. COMPETITION ROUNDS

The competition consists of two rounds.

Preliminary Round

The Preliminary Round is free of charge.

Applicants must complete the online application form and submit a valid video link before the application deadline. Composition applicants must submit the required score and audio materials.

The jury will evaluate all eligible submissions and select the candidates who will advance to the Final Round.

Final Round

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in the Final Round.

The Final Round entry fees are:

  • Solo performers, vocalists, conductors and composers: €69
  • Chamber ensembles: €89 per ensemble

Final Round entry fees are non-refundable.

Finalists may submit a new video for the Final Round or continue using the video submitted for the Preliminary Round. Participants submitting a new video may perform the same or different repertoire, provided that all competition requirements are met.

Only candidates who complete their Final Round registration and payment before the stated deadline will be evaluated in the Final Round.

5. REPERTOIRE

Participants may submit one or more works of their choice.

There are no restrictions regarding musical period, composer or style. Arrangements and contemporary works are accepted.

The total duration of the submitted programme must not exceed 15 minutes.

Participants may perform a complete work, a single movement or selected movements from a larger work. Memorisation is not required.

Works by Johannes Brahms are welcome but are not compulsory.

6. VIDEO REQUIREMENTS

Performance applicants must submit a valid and accessible video link from YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive or another reliable platform.

Videos must meet the following requirements:

  • The participant must be clearly visible throughout the performance.
  • The recording must have clear and synchronised sound and video.
  • Audio-only recordings are not accepted for performance categories.
  • The video must not contain misleading edits or alterations.
  • Recordings made for previous performances or other competitions are accepted.
  • The video must remain accessible throughout the competition period.
  • Videos must be set to public or unlisted, rather than private.

Separate videos may be submitted if the participant is performing more than one work, provided that the combined duration does not exceed 15 minutes.

Professional studio recording is not required.

7. COMPOSITION CATEGORY

Each composition applicant may submit one composition only and must provide:

  • A complete score in PDF format
  • An audio recording in MP3 or WAV format, or a digital realisation

Compositions may be written for any instrumentation and may be in any musical style.

Previously performed, published or awarded compositions are accepted. Revised versions of existing compositions are also accepted.

Composers invited to the Final Round must continue with the same composition submitted for the Preliminary Round. The composition cannot be changed during the Final Round.

8. CONDUCTING CATEGORY

Conducting applicants must submit a video in which both the conductor and the ensemble are clearly visible.

Recordings of rehearsals, concerts and studio sessions are accepted, provided that the applicant’s conducting technique and musical interpretation can be assessed clearly.

Conductors invited to the Final Round may submit a new video or continue using the video submitted for the Preliminary Round.

9. APPLICATIONS

Each application is valid for one participant, ensemble or competition category.

Applicants wishing to enter more than one category must submit a separate application for each entry. A separate Final Round entry fee will apply to each successful application.

All information provided in the application form must be complete and accurate. Incomplete applications, inaccessible links or submissions received after the deadline may not be considered.

The organisers may request additional information or replacement materials if a submitted file or link cannot be accessed.

10. ENTRY FEES

Participation in the Preliminary Round is free of charge.

The Final Round entry fee is €69 for solo performers, vocalists, conductors and composers, and €89 per chamber ensemble.

All Final Round entry fees are non-refundable, including in cases of withdrawal, duplicate application or failure to submit the required materials before the deadline.

11. JUDGING CRITERIA

Performance applicants will be assessed according to the following criteria:

  • Technical proficiency
  • Musical interpretation
  • Tone quality
  • Artistic expression
  • Overall presentation

Composition applicants will be assessed according to:

  • Originality
  • Musical structure
  • Technical command
  • Instrumentation
  • Artistic expression

Conducting applicants will be assessed according to:

  • Conducting technique
  • Clarity of gesture
  • Musical interpretation
  • Communication with the ensemble
  • Overall artistic presentation

The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

The jury reserves the right to withhold an award or to grant the same award to more than one participant.

12. RESULTS AND AWARDS

The list of Final Round winners will be published on the official competition website.

Only candidates who complete their registration and participate in the Final Round will be eligible for an award. The Preliminary Round is conducted solely to determine whether an applicant is eligible to advance to the Final Round, and no awards will be granted on the basis of the Preliminary Round.

Final Round winners will receive an official electronic certificate. Selected award recipients will also receive a personalised banner or award poster in accordance with the benefits specified for each award level.

Awards are granted according to the artistic standard of each submission and are not determined by the number of participants in a category.

The jury may select more than one winner at the same award level.

The participant who receives 100 points will be named the Overall Winner of this edition and will receive a cash prize of €200. A score of 100 points is reserved exclusively for the Overall Winner.

The jury reserves the right not to award 100 points or select an Overall Winner if no participant reaches the required artistic standard.

Further information about award levels, score ranges and winner benefits can be found on the AWARDS page.

13. GENERAL CONDITIONS

By submitting an application, participants confirm that they have read, understood and accepted these rules.

Applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Participants, or their parents or legal guardians where applicable, grant the competition permission to publish their names, photographs, biographical information, submitted videos and competition results on the official website and official communication platforms for competition-related and promotional purposes.

Participants retain ownership of their submitted recordings and compositions. No additional payment or financial compensation will be due for competition-related publication.

The organisers reserve the right to make reasonable changes to the competition schedule, rules or jury arrangements where necessary. Any important changes will be announced on the official competition website.

The organisers are not responsible for technical problems, inaccessible links, interrupted internet connections or materials submitted after the applicable deadline.

FREE ENTRY