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Competition

Winners' Concert at the MUSIKVEREIN VIENNA on January 10, 2026 with WIENER STADTORCHESTER
Deadline: October 19, 2025
Announcement: October 31, 2025


CATEGORIES
A) Voice Women (all voice types)
B) Voice Men (all voice types)
C) Keyboard instruments (Piano, Accordion)
D) Strings (Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp)
E) Winds (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Saxophone)
F) Percussion
G) Conducting
H) Chamber Music
I) Composition

 RULES
* Winners’ concert at the MUSIKVEREIN VIENNA on January 10, 2026 with Wiener Stadtorchester.
* The contest is open to musicians and composers of all nationalities
* Free Repertoire
* All participants will provide publicly accessible video links to YouTube
* The length of the performance in the video link is not limited. There is no minimum duration. If the recordings are short, they can be included in a single video link.
* The recording shall be taken by one camera, showing the face and hands of the musician.
* Only one participant will be awarded as the winner in each category (“A,” “B,” “C,” “D,” “E,” “F,” “G”, “H”, "I"). In exceptional cases where candidates receive the same score, multiple winners may be awarded.
* The 1st prize winners will perform for a maximum of 15 min. with the WIENER STADTORCHESTER at the MUSIKVEREIN VIENNA on January 10, 2026 following the aforementioned rules.
* Travel and accommodation expenses are the responsibility of the winners.
* The jury’s decisions are final and not subject to appeal. The judges are not obliged to provide explanations for their decisions.
* Due to delays in the evaluation process by the competition jury committee, the organization reserves the right to change the dates provided for the announcement of the results.
* All the names of the winners will be published on our website on the dates mentioned in the announcement and on social media channels
* The official results will be on October 31,  2025, on our website  (www.newyearscompetition.com) and our social media Addressee.  Facebook - Instagram 
* All participants who have been awarded a prize in the competition are invited to the concert and award ceremony. They are responsible for their accommodation, transportation, and all related expenses.
* Participants who did not receive an award may request a certificate of participation, which can be provided electronically via email for a fee of 35 euros.
* Upon request, teachers and musical accompanying persons can also receive certificates, which can be provided electronically via email for a fee of 35 euros.
* By submitting their application (including all documents and competition fees), candidates indicate their acceptance of all these rules.

COMPOSITION

* Solo, Chamber and Orchestra Composition Competition

* Format: Submissions must include a PDF score and an MP3 recording, which may be a live or MIDI rendition of the composition.

* Sheet Music Format: All sheet music should be in A4 PDF format and submitted by October 19, 2025.

* Length: Works may be up to a maximum of 15 minutes in duration; there is no minimum length requirement.

* Instrumentation: Compositions must be written for chamber or orchestral ensemble, incorporating any classical instruments and/or voice.

* The First Prize-winning composition will be performed live by the Wiener Stadtorchester (Vienna City Orchestra) at the MUSIKVEREIN VIENNA on January 10, 2026

* A audio and video recording of the winning performance will be provided to the First Prize winner.

* All prize-winning participants are invited to attend the concert and award ceremony. Travel, accommodation, and all associated costs are the responsibility of the participants.
Important Note:

Only compositions that include orchestral instrumentation are eligible for live performance by the Wiener Stadtorchester.
Purely solo works (e.g. solo piano, solo violin, etc.) may still be awarded, but may not be performed at the winners’ concert.

Performance Prize: The First Prize-winning composition will be performed live by the Wiener Stadtorchester (Vienna City Orchestra) at the MUSIKVEREIN VIENNA on January 10, 2026.

AWARDS – Prizes (for each category)

  • Each 1st Prize winner will have the opportunity to perform with the Wiener Stadtorchester at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026.

  • In each category, First, Second, and Third Prize winners will receive special certificates. Honourable Mention awards will also be presented, as well as special certificates for young talents.

  • In addition, surprise souvenirs will be presented to each award winner who attends the award ceremony as a memento of Vienna.

  • A marketing and publicity campaign will be conducted to promote the Vienna concert and support the winners’ artistic careers.

Prizes

  • 1st Prize: Live performance at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 with the Wiener Stadtorchester + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

  • 2nd Prize: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

  • 3rd Prize: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

Special prizes

  • Wiener Klassik Prize: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

  • Special Jury Prize: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

  • Honourable Mentions: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

  • Young Talent Prizes: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

  • Junior Talent Prizes: Invitation to the award ceremony at the Musikverein Vienna on January 10, 2026 + certificate + professional photo shoot + audio and video recording at the concert and award ceremony + surprise souvenirs.

APPLICATION

Required Documents for Registration:

  1. Completed Application Form >>> APPLY!

  2. Copy of Passport or ID

  3. Biography in English

  4. High-definition artistic photo (with photographer’s name)

  5. Video links (for performers)
    For composers: PDF score and MP3 audio file

  6. Proof of payment of the participation fee via Bank, PayPal, Wise, or Revolut. (If PayPal is not available in your country, please contact us for alternative payment options.)

       Please submit all required documents before October 19, 2025 via email to newyearscompetition@gmail.com or through the >>> APPLY! link.
Participation Fees & Payment


JURY MEMBERS
-Christian Schulz (Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Wiener Stadtorchester, Wiener Symphoniker & Professor at Richard Wagner Conservatory of Vienna)
-Giampaolo Vessella (Teatro Nacional de São Carlos)
-Burghard Toelke (Peter Cornelius Conservatory of the City of Mainz)
-Luciano Corona (Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini di Catania)
-Oleg Marshev (Concert Pianist and Professor at Anton Bruckner University in Linz)
-Elizabeth Goncalves (Paris Sorbonne University/ Conservatory & University of Amsterdam/ Paris Superior Center for Voice & Breath)
-Farkhad Khudyev (Music Director of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of the Hidden Valley Arts Institute Orchestra Institute in Carmel, California.)

VNYC International Music Competition respects the rights and privacy of all and does not discriminate based on ethnicity, race, nationality, gender, religion, or sexual orientation.

Organization:
“VIENNA NEW YEAR’S CONCERT” International Music Competition
Diefenbachgasse 54/2c+d, A-1150 Vienna - Austria
Email: newyearscompetition@gmail.com

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