Requirements

As an important part of the IX. International Music Festival in Vienna 2026, the competition programme is dedicated to discovering, supporting, and presenting outstanding young musical talents from around the world.

Centered around classical music, artistic excellence, and international exchange, the festival offers participants a professional platform to perform, compete, learn, and connect in Vienna. The competition sections include various solo and ensemble categories, covering strings, piano, vocal music, wind instruments, chamber music, and other classical music disciplines. Different age and professional groups are designed to ensure a fair and inspiring environment for all participants.

The competition programme is not only a contest, but also an artistic journey within the wider festival. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in concerts, masterclasses, academic exchange activities, and special award programmes, while experiencing Vienna as one of the world’s most important centers of classical music.

A distinguished international jury, consisting of renowned musicians and educators, will evaluate the performances and provide professional feedback. In addition to regular awards, the festival offers special prizes, performance opportunities, and international platforms to support the further artistic development of outstanding participants.

In 2026, the festival will also introduce the Exilarte Special Award / Exilarte Sonderpreis, encouraging young musicians to rediscover and perform works by Austrian composers in exile. This special award reflects the festival’s annual theme, Restoring Lost Voices, and highlights the importance of musical memory, cultural heritage, and artistic responsibility.

The competitions of the IX. International Music Festival in Vienna are more than a stage for achievement. They are a meeting point for young artists, educators, audiences, and cultures. Here, music creates dialogue across borders, and young talents are given the opportunity to grow, be heard, and share their artistic voices with the world.

IV. Group and Repertoire

The competition is divided into two main categories: Solo Categories and Ensemble Categories.
Each category has age groups and professional groups. The professional group refers to full-time students from music conservatories, university music departments, talent programs, and preparatory courses.
Participants may not register for both an age group and a professional group simultaneously; they must choose one category.
For the ensemble categories, if a professional group participant is involved, the ensemble will be considered as a professional group.

Professional Group Solo Categories (pdf)Download

Age Group Solo Catagories (pdf)Download

Ensemble Categories (pdf)Download

Important Information：

No repertoire changes are allowed within 30 days prior to the competition.

f the performed piece on stage does not match the repertoire submitted during registration, the participant's score will be disqualified.

Participants performing pop music or jazz will not receive any points.

Participants whose repertoire does not meet the period requirements will not receive any points.

If a participant exceeds the performance time limit, the jury has the right to randomly request a portion of the piece to be performed or to stop the performance midway. This will not affect the score.

Solo participants must perform from memory (except for piano accompaniment). Failure to memorize will result in a 20% deduction from the total score.

Chamber music and orchestra participants are not required to perform from memory.

Participants must perform the pieces in the order listed and cannot make adjustments on their own.

Repetition is only allowed in sections marked with D.C. (Da Capo) and D.S. (Dal Segno); other repetitions are not permitted.

If a participant exceeds the time limit, the jury has the right to stop the performance or request a section to be played. This will not affect the scoring.

V. Awards

V-1 Base Prizes

Solo Categories - Professional Group

Group A

First Prize: 200 EUR
Second Prize: 150 EUR
Third Prize: 100 EUR

Group B

First Prize: 300 EUR
Second Prize: 200 EUR
Third Prize: 100 EUR

Group C

First Prize: 800 EUR
Second Prize: 500 EUR
Third Prize: 300 EUR

V-2 Exilarte Special Award

The winner, either an individual or an ensemble, may choose one of the following options:

A cash prize of EUR 6,000.
An official invitation in a Winner’s Concert in Vienna. This invitation includes travel expenses, transportation costs.

V-2 Additional Prize Pool

To reward particularly outstanding participants, an additional prize pool of 1,000 EUR will be established for each instrument. This prize pool will be allocated based on the following criteria:

Overall Performance: Participants will be assessed based on their overall performance and level of excellence.
High Scoring Participants: If any participant achieves a score of 98 points or above, they will receive an additional reward.
Category Balance: If some categories have fewer awardees, the prize money may be allocated to other categories to ensure fair distribution.

The distribution of this additional prize pool will be decided by the jury to ensure fairness and rationality in the awards.

V-3 Ensemble Category

First Prize: 800 EUR/group
Second Prize: 500 EUR/group
Third Prize: 300 EUR/group

V-4 Haydn Award

A special Haydn Prize has been established, with a prize of 1,000 EUR, specifically awarded to the participant who demonstrates the most outstanding performance in playing a work by Haydn.

V-5 Other Awards

Best Conductor Award: Presented to the conductor who demonstrates exceptional conducting skills and artistic leadership in both the competition and performance. This award aims to recognize the conductor's professionalism and stage presence.

Outstanding Mentor Award: Recognizes teachers who provide professional guidance and support to students, helping them develop artistically throughout the competition and teaching process. This award highlights the positive impact of educators on the growth of their students.

Outstanding Organization Award: Awarded to the institution or team that has demonstrated excellence in organizing and supporting the music festival’s

activities. This could include sponsors, partners, or backstage support teams.

Best Artistic Director Award: This award acknowledges the expert artistic guidance provided to a musical work during its creation and performance preparation. It emphasizes the value of artistic planning and creativity.

Best Original Composition Award: Granted to the composer who creates a unique and musically compelling original work during the music festival. This award encourages innovation and creativity in musical composition.

Important Information for Prize and Awards：

Selection Criteria:

To receive the corresponding prize, participants or ensembles must meet the following score requirements:

First Prize: 95 points and above

Second Prize: 93 points and above

Third Prize: 92 points and above

If the score of a participant or ensemble does not meet the required threshold, they will not be eligible for the prize money.

In exceptional cases, if a participant demonstrates outstanding performance, the jury may decide at their discretion whether to award additional prizes, adjust the prize distribution, or set up other special awards. The jury holds the final authority in the distribution and adjustment of prizes, with the aim of fairly and justly rewarding participants or ensembles with extraordinary performances.

Prize Collection:

All prize winners must complete the prize collection procedures at the award ceremony on July 29, 2026. Failure to collect the prize on time will be considered as forfeiting the prize, and the prize will be handled according to the decision of the competition committee.

The prize is non-transferable and may only be collected by the winner.

Tax Responsibilities:

Winners are responsible for the payment of taxes on the prize money. The competition organizers do not withhold any taxes. Winners must declare and pay the applicable taxes in accordance with the tax laws of their respective locations.

Important Information for the Award Ceremony：

Dress Code:
1. The ceremony is a formal occasion. All attendees are required to wear formal attire (e.g., evening gowns, suits, etc.).
2. Please maintain a dignified appearance to reflect the solemnity and respect of the ceremony.

Award Ceremony Process:
1. The ceremony will proceed according to the planned schedule, and all award winners will be called up to the stage to receive their prizes.
2. Each award winner will be briefly introduced before taking

Photography and Videography
1. A professional photography team will be present during the ceremony. Please be aware of the photography equipment in the venue.
2. During the ceremony, kindly refrain from using personal cameras or smartphones for photography, in order to avoid obstructing the view of others and disrupting the proceedings.

For Winners Unable to Attend
If a winner is unable to attend the award ceremony in person, the award certificate will not be reissued, and the prize money cannot be collected. Winners are kindly requested to ensure their attendance arrangements are made in advance.

VII. Data Protection

By registering for the competition, candidates grant the “International Music Festival in Vienna” organizing committee, as the competition organizer and data transmission controller, the right to process their personal data and capture photos/videos of the participants for promotional and display purposes.

Candidates agree to comply with relevant Austrian laws and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Candidates who are selected for the competition agree to the use of their photos, videos, or other materials for any form of promotion and distribution, including but not limited to: print media, social media, advertisements, etc., without time limitation.

Selected candidates agree to sign a document stating that they have no objections to the organizer and/or any radio stations, television stations, or websites involved during the competition, broadcasting competition videos via electronic, radio, or television channels, and using their image for promotional and advertising purposes, including but not limited to: awards, collaborations, sponsorships, marketing, etc.

Haydn Music Competition

I. Competition Overview

I-1 Video Pre-selection

I-2 On-site Competition

Video Requirements：

II. Competition Categories

II-1 Instrumental Solo Competition

II-2 Vocal Competition

II-3 Ensemble Competition

III. Registration Method

III-1

III-2

IV. Group and Repertoire

Important Information：

V. Awards

V-1 Base Prizes

V-2 Exilarte Special Award

V-2 Additional Prize Pool

V-3 Ensemble Category

V-4 Haydn Award

V-5 Other Awards

Important Information for Prize and Awards：

VI. Award Ceremony

Important Information for the Award Ceremony：

VII. Data Protection

VIII. Data Processing

Haydn Music Competition

Haydn Music Competition

I. Competition Overview

I-1 Video Pre-selection

I-2 On-site Competition

Video Requirements：

II. Competition Categories

II-1 Instrumental Solo Competition

II-2 Vocal Competition

II-3 Ensemble Competition

III. Registration Method

III-1

III-2

IV. Group and Repertoire

Important Information：

V. Awards

V-1 Base Prizes

V-2 Exilarte Special Award

V-2 Additional Prize Pool

V-3 Ensemble Category

V-4 Haydn Award

V-5 Other Awards

Important Information for Prize and Awards：

VI. Award Ceremony

Important Information for the Award Ceremony：

VII. Data Protection

VIII. Data Processing

Haydn Music Competition

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