80th Concours de Genève – International Music Competition

Eligibility & Application

• Age limit: Open to composers born after 11 November 1986

• Ineligible: Previous First Prize winners in Composition at the Concours de Genève

• Application deadline: 12 February 2026

• Platform: Registration via Muvac

• Fee: CHF 100 (non-refundable)

Required submission includes:

• One anonymous orchestral score (original, legible, no composer name)

• ID/passport, CV, short biography, photos

• Programme note and list of works

• Authorization for performance/broadcast

• Short text or video outlining artistic project

Work Requirements

• Genre: Work for symphony orchestra

• Duration: 12–16 minutes

• Date of composition: After March 2024 (revisions allowed)

• No soloists or electronics

• Minimum ensemble: 40 musicians

• Instrumentation: Large symphony orchestra with optional percussion and up to 2 special instruments

• Scores may be handwritten or digitally typeset but must be fully legible.

Competition Process

• Jury selection: 12–14 March 2026 (closed session)

• Finalists: Up to 3 composers

• Announcement: 15 March 2026

• Final round performance:

  • 11 November 2026, Victoria Hall, Geneva

  • Performed by Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

  • Conducted by finalists of the Conducting Competition

• Finalists collaborate with conducting semi-finalists from May 2026 onward.

Support for Finalists

• Free host-family accommodation

• Daily meal allowance

• Free Geneva public transport

• Travel expenses covered (economy class)

• Access to rehearsals and Welcome Ceremony (9 November 2026)

Prizes & Awards

Official Prizes:

• 1st Prize: CHF 15,000

• 2nd Prize: CHF 10,000

• 3rd Prize: CHF 5,000

Special Prizes:

• Audience Prize: CHF 1,500

• Young Audience Prize: CHF 1,000

• Students Prize: CHF 1,000

• Nicati-De Luze Special Prize: CHF 3,000 + commissioned work

Not all prizes are guaranteed to be awarded.

Career Development

• Two years of professional support from Sartory Artists (Paris)

• Career management, coaching, and commissions

• Access to prizewinner workshops (career, health, branding, media)

Jury (2026)

• Chair: Unsuk Chin

• Members: Katharina Rosenberger, Augusta Read Thomas, Toshio Hosokawa, Magnus Lindberg

• Jury decisions are final; strict conflict-of-interest and secrecy rules apply.

If you’d like, I can also:

• Create a one-page application checklist

• Summarize only the orchestration rules

• Help turn this into a call-for-applications blurb or presentation slide

Website: https://www.concoursgeneve.ch/section/competitions/composition_2026/