Jugend musiziert

Nationwide, Germany · Classical guitar competition

Jugend musiziert is a classical-guitar competition in Nationwide, Germany. It is held every year, usually in May.

Location
Nationwide, Germany
Type
Competition
Event dates
13 May 2027 – 19 May 2027
Application deadline
November 15, 2026 (general) / December 15, 2026 (German Schools abroad)
Frequency
Annual (guitar every 3 years)
Eligibility / age
open to pupils, apprentices, young professionals and students who are not in professional musical training, up to 21 years; exceptions see announcement
Prizes
  • National recognition + prizes
Special prizes
  • Eduard Söring-Prize: an annual scholarship of €6,000
  • Hans Sikorski-Prize: up to €1,500 (Solo, Duo) or €2,500 (Ensemble)
  • Special Prize for brass players: €2,000
  • German Musical Instrument Fund: award of historical master instruments for an initial period of one to two years
  • Carl-Heinz Illies-Scholarship for participation in masterclasses and competitions abroad
  • Gerd Bucerius-Scholarship for (partial) financing of studies abroad, or for attending a masterclass or competition abroad
  • Dinorah Varsi-Scholarship
  • Ernst Efinger-Scholarship
  • Performances in the Deutsche Stiftung Musikleben's own concert series
  • Jürgen Ponto-Foundation for the Promotion of Young Artists Scholarships: €300 per month (individual) or €1,500 per year per ensemble member (totaling approximately €88,000 annually)
  • Concert appearances (honorarium €300)
  • Carl Bechstein Foundation: four annual scholarships of €200 per month each (piano solo, age group III)
  • Bärenreiter-Urtext-Prizes: music vouchers of €100
  • Hermann-J. Abs-Prize for best interpretation of a work by Ludwig van Beethoven: total prize money €5,000 (can be split), plus an appearance in autumn 2026 at the Beethoven-Haus Bonn (recorded by WDR 3)
  • Manfred Vetter-Foundation for Art and Culture Special Prize: up to €5,000 (for 'Special Ensembles: New Music' category), including a concert appearance at 'Konzert in der Remise' at Burg Langendorf, Zülpich
  • Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Special Prize: €5,000 for particularly deserving family ensembles
  • Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival Foundation: invitation to perform in the 'Musikfeste auf dem Lande' series
  • Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Sponsorship Prize: €5,000 (as monthly scholarship)
  • Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe Audience Prize: €500
  • Bernhard Kleindienst Arpeggione Foundation Special Prize: total value €4,000 for outstanding interpretations of a work by Franz Schubert
  • Gesellschaft zur Verwertung von Leistungsschutzrechten (GVL) Special Prize: total value €3,000 for outstanding interpretations of one's own work and · or a work composed for Jugend musiziert
  • Harald-Genzmer-Foundation Special Prize: total value €3,000 for outstanding interpretations of a work of classical modernism
  • Walter and Charlotte Hamel Foundation Special Prize: €3,000 for young singers in the singing category.
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Repertoire requirements

The performance program should be diverse. Requirements and recommendations from Jugend musiziert include: Epoch diversity (e.g., for orchestral instruments, plucked instruments, recorder, piano, organ: Renaissance, Early Baroque (music until approx. 1650); Baroque (music until approx. 1750); Early Classical, Classical (music until approx. 1820); Romantic, Impressionism (music until early 20th century); Tonally extended music (e.g., formally strict music of the 20th century, Classical Modernism, and music with jazz elements or elements of popular styles); Music of the 21st century and older New Music that deviates significantly from the music described in epochs a to e in at least one musical characteristic); Genre diversity; Stylistic diversity; Instrumental diversity; Diversity in tempi. Jugend musiziert encourages the inclusion of works of New Music (original compositions, world premieres, works of the 21st century) as well as improvisation. Original literature is strongly recommended and preferred, but arrangements are generally permitted. Categories include: Solo Categories: Wind Instruments, Plucked Instruments, Musical, Organ, Other Instruments (Baglama, Hackbrett). Ensemble Categories: Piano four-to-eight hands or on two pianos, Duo: Piano and a String Instrument, Duo Art Song: Singing Voice and Piano, Percussion Ensemble, Special Ensembles: Works of Classical, Romantic, Late Romantic and Impressionism, Open Category Popular Styles: Band. Jumu Open: Open Chamber Music.

Official website

https://jugend-musiziert.org/ausschreibung/ausschreibung-2027

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More guitar events in Germany: Anna-Amalia Competition for Young Guitarists · ARD International Music Competition (Guitar) · Hamburger Guitar Festival · Hanse Guitar Cup · Heinsberg Guitar Festival and Competition · International Competition for Young Guitarists Andrés Segovia (EGTA)

Also in May: Altamira Gorizia International Guitar Competition · Concurso Internacional de Madrid (FIGUIM) · Nilo Peraldo Bert International Competition · Printemps de la Guitare · San-in Guitar Competition

Listing data is compiled from official sources and can change each edition. Always confirm dates, deadlines and requirements on the organizer's official website before applying or booking travel. Spotted an error? See our terms or let us know via the About page.

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