Applications Open to Concours de Geneve 2025/26 Conducting Competition

Open to international conductors aged up to 35, applications will close on May 7, 2025

Founded in 1939, the Concours de Genève competition offers two disciplines each year in rotation, including piano, flute, oboe, clarinet, cello, viola, string quartet, voice, percussion, and composition.

Organized over two years, the 2025/26 Conducting Competition of the 80th Concours de Genève is open to all conductors born after November 13, 1991, regardless of gender or nationality. 

After the first two rounds, which will be held in 2025, six semi-finalists will be selected and will also participate in masterclasses, workshops, and meetings with orchestras to encourage artistic growth and professional exchange.

First prize is awarded with CHF 20,000; second prize is CHF 12,000; and third prize is valued at CHF 8,000. Special awards include the Semi-Finalist Prize of CHF 3,000, which will be presented to three semi-finalists not selected for the Final Round. 

More awards include the CHF 1,500 Audience Prize, the CHF 1,000 Young Audience Prize, and the Students Prize worth CHF 1,000.

The deadline for applications is May 7, 2025. To apply, click here.

Yet to be announced, the 2025/26 Official Jury will comprise a panel of internationally acclaimed experts, including conductors, composers, instrumentalists, and industry professionals. 

The competition’s first and second rounds will be held from October 31 to November 3, 2025, with the Geneva School of Music Orchestra and the Geneva Chamber Orchestra.

The three Semi-Final rounds will be held in November 2026, featuring the Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Ensemble Contrechamps, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, which will perform in the Final Round. 

Applications to the 2025 Concours de Genève Viola Competition are also open — for more details, click here.