Rules

Table of Contents

1) Values and Principles

The profession of a conductor is a life choice. The Competition follows the values cherished by Maestro Evgeny Svetlanov, such as passion for music, musical excellence, transmission of knowledge, and integrity.

Mindful of the legacy and knowledge that Evgeny Svetlanov wished to pass on to new generations, the Competition was one of the major wishes expressed in his will, as the ultimate proof of his devotion to Music.

The Competition is committed to the respect of fundamental human rights. It guarantees equal treatment for all candidates, without any distinction or discrimination.

Candidates and jury members agree to respect the values and principles of the Competition and to adopt courteous behavior.

The Competition’s mission is to reveal young talented conductors, to offer them the opportunity to work with renowned orchestras, and to support their career development through visibility and unique partnerships.

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2) Dates and Venue of the Competition

The 6th Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition will be held from 3 to 6 September 2026 at CBSO CENTRE (for Preliminary Round) and at Symphony Hall (for Semi-finals and Finals) in Birmingham (United Kingdom).

Application period

The application period runs from 1 March to 15 April 2026 via our website: https://www.svetlanov-evgeny.com/

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3) Orchestra

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Kazuki Yamada – Music  Director) will be the official orchestra of the 6th edition of the Competition.

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4) Artistic Director and Jury

Artistic Director

  • René Koering
    Composer, former Music Director of Radio France and Director of the Radio France International Music Festival in Montpellier (1985-2012)

Jury

President
  • Bertrand de Billy
    Conductor, Officier of the Légion d’honneur of France
Jury Members
  • Mauro Bucarelli
    Artistic Delegate of the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia
  • Christoph Ghristi
    Artistic Director of the Opéra national du Capitole de Toulouse
  • Matthias Goerne
    Singer
  • Paul Hughes
    Programming Director for the Lead foundation in Finland, former Director of the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, BBC Singers
  • Ion Marin
    Conductor, Professor of the Endowed Claudio Abbado Chair at the Salzburg Mozarteum University
  • Matthias Naske
    General Director of the Vienna Konzerthaus
  • Deborah Polaski
    Kammersängerin
  • Kazuki Yamada
    Conductor and Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Artistic and Music Director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo and Artistic Director designate of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
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5) Competition Programme

Preliminary Round: 20 minuntes per candidate

Choice of one from this list:

  • Beethoven: Leonora Overture n°3 opus 72b
  • Beethoven: Coriolan Overture opus 62
  • Beethoven: Egmont Overture opus 84
  • Mozart: The Magic Flute Overture K.620
  • Tchaikovsky: Orchestral Suite n° 3 in G major opus 55, Scherzo (3rd movement)

Semi-finals: 35 minutes per candidate

All pieces are compulsory:

  • Wagner: Lohengrin Preludes to Act III
  • Mozart: The Magic Flute Sprecher and Tamino, Act I, Scene 11, Recitative for Sprecher and tenor, without aria.
  • Tchaikovsky: Symphony n°6 in B minor opus 74, “Pathetique” (1st movement)

Finals: approx. 1 hour per candidate

Choice of three from the list:

  • Balakirev : Symphony n°1 in C major
  • Beethoven: Symphony n°4 in B flat major opus 60
  • Dvorák: Symphony n°7 opus 70
  • Elgar: Enigma Variations opus 36
  • Franck: Symphony in D minor
  • Mozart:  Symphony n° 41 in C major K. 551 “Jupiter”
  • Mendelssohn: Symphony°5 in D minor opus 107 “Réformation”
  • Schumann: Symphony n°3 in E flat major opus 97 “Rhénane”
  • Schumann: Symphony n°4 in D minor opus 120
  • Sibelius: Symphony n°2 in D major opus 43
  • Shostakovich: Symphony n°9 in E flat major opus 70
  • Tchaikovsky: Symphony n°2 in C minor opus 17
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6) Admission Requirements

Egibility

  1. The Competition is open to conductors of all nationalities with confirmed professional training. No ideological, political, racial, religious, gender, marital status, or disability-based reason unrelated to professional practice can justify refusal of an application.
  2. Applicants must be born between 1986 and 2006 inclusive.


Application Period

Applications must be completed online between 1 March and 15 April 2026. The link will be available on the website https://www.svetlanov-evgeny.com/ from the 1st March 2026.

Application Requirements

a) Administrative data (name, birth date, nationality, contact details)

b) Recent photo (within last 6 months)

c) Biography

The biography must include details of the applicant’s background and musical career: completed studies, names of teachers, significant milestones in their musical activities, competitions in which they have participated, prizes awarded, etc.

d) Conflict of Interest statement

The applicant must indicate, where applicable, the name(s) of any jury or orchestra member(s) with whom they have been in contact, as well as the circumstances of such contact. The admissibility of the application will be determined by the Artistic Director. In the absence of notification of inadmissibility, the application shall be deemed accepted.

e) Video recordings via a YouTube link

The applicant must ensure that the links remain available throughout the entire selection period until 1 July 2026.

  • Only recordings made after 1 January 2022 will be accepted.
  • The applicant must submit at least 30 minutes of music (1–2 works) and no more than 2 hours of music in total (3–4 works).
  • The applicant must clearly indicate the titles of the recorded excerpts, the orchestra, the venue, the date, and the duration of the recording.
  • The recording must show the applicant conducting as well as the musicians of the orchestra. Ideally, the applicant should also be filmed from the front (as seen from the orchestra).
  • The recording may feature one of the following ensembles, at the applicant’s choice: symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, or instrumental ensemble of at least 15 musicians.
  • The organizers of the Competition guarantee that the videos will be used exclusively for the purpose of the application selection process and will not be used for any other purpose.

f) Choice of works

The applicant must indicate their selection of:

  • one work from the list proposed for the Preliminary Round;
  • all works from the Semi-finals are compulsory;
  • three works from the list proposed for the Finals.

The lists of works are presented in Section 5, “Competition Program.”

Entry Fee

  1. The registration fee is €250.
  2. The registration fee must be paid exclusively through the online payment platform (secure payment by Visa, MasterCard, or PayPal transfer) available at the end of the application form. No other method of payment will be accepted.
  3. Registration shall be confirmed only upon receipt of the registration fee.
  4. The registration fee shall be non-refundable, except in the event of cancellation of the Competition.”
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7) Selection for the participation an the Competition

  1. The Artistic Director decides admission to the Preliminary Round after reviewing applications.
  2. 18 candidates will be selected for the participation at the Competition.
  3. Results will be announced between 1 and 5 June 2026 via email and website https://www.svetlanov-evgeny.com/
  4. The applicant selected for the Preliminary Round acquires the status of candidate of the Competition upon confirmation of participation and acceptance of these Rules.
  5. No explanation will be given regarding acceptance or rejection. Decisions are final.
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8) Competition Procedures

Schedule

Preliminary Round – CBSO Center

20 minutes per participant

Thursday, 3 September 2026: 10:15–17:15
Friday, 4 September 2026: 10:15-13:15

The round will be held in closed session.

The results of the Preliminary Round will be announced at CBSO Center following the Jury’s deliberation on Friday, 4 September 2026, at approximately 14:30.

Eight candidates will be selected for the Semi-finals.

Semi-finals – Symphony Hall

35 minutes per participant

Saturday, 5 September 2026: 10:15–17:15

The round will be held in the presence of the public.

The results of the Semi-finals will be announced following the Jury’s deliberation on Saturday, 5 September 2026, at approximately 18:30, in the presence of the public.

Four candidates will be selected for the Final Round.

Finals – Symphony Hall

approximately 1 hour per participant

Sunday, 6 September 2026: 14:00 – 21:00

The Finals shall take place in the presence of the public, in the form of a dress-rehearsal (general rehearsal). No prior rehearsal shall be scheduled. Finalists shall be free to repeat and work on passages they deem necessary and to manage the time allotted for the entire program.

The results of the Finals shall be announced at Symphony Hall following the Jury’s deliberation on Sunday, 6 September 2026, in the presence of the public.

Order of Performance

  1. For all rounds, the order of performance will be determined by a drawing of lots.
  2. For the 18 candidates in the Preliminary Round, the order of performance will be announced on 2 September 2026, the day before the Preliminary Round.
  3. The order of performance for the Semi-finals and the Finals will be announced following the proclamation of the results of each respective round.

Jury Voting

  1. The members of the Jury shall accept the Jury Charter, which includes, in particular, a clause of non-partiality, the absence of conflict of interest, and adherence to the values of the Competition, such as integrity, passion for music, musical excellence, and the transmission of knowledge to future generations.

  2. Jury deliberations shall be held in private at the end of each round, in the presence of the Artistic Director and the President of the Competition. The vote shall be validated by majority vote.

  3. The decision of the Jury is final and without appeal.

  4. Participants not selected for the next round may meet members of the Jury and receive feedback following the announcement of the results of each round.

  5. Participants selected for the next round are not permitted to communicate with members of the Jury, in order to ensure respect for the principle of impartiality.


Award Ceremony

The Award Ceremony shall take place on 6 September 2026 at Symphony Hall, following the proclamation of the results of the Finals of the Competition.

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9) Awards

Laureates

  1. All finalists shall be considered Laureates of the Competition.
  2. Each Laureate shall be required to mention, in their biography and in their communications, their participation in the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition for at least five years following the event. The official wording shall be provided by the Competition.

Prizes

Main Prizes

First Prize: €20,000 and diploma

Second Prize: €10,000 and diploma

Third Prize: €5,000 and diploma

Diploma

In the event of a tie, the prize shall be awarded in full to each Laureate.

The Jury shall not be obliged to award all prizes.

Orchestra Prize

The musicians of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra shall vote for their favorite finalist.

The Orchestra shall offer to the chosen Laureate an invitation to conduct a concert in the 2027–2028 season.

Audience Prize

The public shall also be invited to vote for the “Audience Prize” and to select their favorite finalist.

Press Prize

TO BE DEFINED

Online Vote Prize

Each internet user may vote for their favorite candidate between the beginning of July 2026 (from the announcement of the Competition participants) and the end of the Final Round (6 September 2026). The winner shall be announced at the Award Ceremony.

Musical Partners’ Prizes
The Competition’s musical partners shall offer selected Laureates future engagements with fee. Details shall be available on the Competition’s official website under the section “Our Partners”.

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10) Notes for participants

General Provisions

  1. The Competition is founded on respect for fundamental human rights. Any past or future antecedent or behavior constituting a violation of these rights in the participant’s background may result in serious consequences, including disqualification, loss of title or prize, among other measures.
  2. The Competition is based on the principles of equality, respect, and benevolence. Courteous and respectful conduct is expected from all participants.
  3. Candidates shall be responsible for all arrangements related to their travel to Birmingham, including obtaining a visa and managing their professional and personal commitments in order to ensure their participation in the Competition. The Competition shall provide assistance where possible.
  4. All candidates, whether or not they advance to the Semi-finals or the Finals, are invited to attend the rounds, support their colleagues, and participate in discussions as well as in the Competition’s media activities.

Travel

Candidates selected for the Preliminary Round shall be responsible for arranging and covering their travel to the Competition venue – Birmingham (United Kingdom).

The United Kingdom introduced Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) for short-stay incoming visitors who do not already have a UK immigration status. 

Visitors can apply directly online. Please note that the application can take a maximum of 3 working days. More information

Arrival: 2 September 2026
Departure: 7 September 2026

All candidates are invited to travel to and stay in Birmingham from 2 to 7 September 2026, regardless of their order of performance or possible participation in subsequent rounds.

Accommodation and Meals

All candidates in the Competition will be accommodated at the expense of the organizers for the entire duration of the event.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided to all candidates throughout the Competition.

Communication and Publicity

  1. During the entire period of the Competition, the Executive Committee reserves the rights listed below, and candidates are required to accept them without any financial compensation (including for the press conference):
    • Audio and video recording, filming, and photography.
    • Broadcasting of the above-mentioned materials on radio, television, and online platforms.
    • Reproduction and sale of the above-mentioned recordings.
  2. Candidates are also required to cooperate with all photography, audio and video recordings, as well as any interviews organized by the Competition.
  3. Candidates must obtain prior authorization from the Competition, before the start of the Preliminary Round, for any photography, audio or video recordings, or interviews conducted by individuals other than those designated by the Competition.

Recordings and Media Broadcast

  1. Radio France, medici.tv, and Mezzo (France) are partners of the 6th Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition.
  2. The Semi-finals and the Finals of the Competition will be broadcast live on the websites of Radio France, medici.tv, Mezzo, as well as on the Competition’s official website and YouTube channel. They will also be recorded for rebroadcast and for potential future audiovisual use.
  3. The release of a CD album and the production of a documentary — intended for television broadcast and DVD release, showcasing highlights of the Competition performances — as well as the online publication of all or part of these performances may also be planned.
  4. A technical team may therefore carry out recordings and take photographs throughout the entire duration of the Competition.

Insurance

  1. The Competition’s teams and partners are not responsible for the following accidents that may occur during the Competition:
    • Damage or loss of participants’ personal belongings;
    • Physical, material, or moral damage caused to or suffered by participants.
  2. Candidates are therefore advised to arrange their own insurance coverage.

Claims

  1. The decisions of the Executive Committee regarding the administration of the Competition and the selection process, as well as the decisions of the Jury regarding evaluation, shall be final and not subject to appeal.
  2. Candidates shall not be entitled to lodge any objection.
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11) Amendements to the Rules

  1. To ensure the smooth running of the Competition, the Executive Committee reserves the right to make additions, deletions, and/or modifications to these Rules, even after their publication.

  2. In the event of issues not covered by these Rules, candidates will be required to comply with the instructions and decisions of the Executive Committee.
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12) Disputes

In the event of a dispute, the courts of Paris shall have sole jurisdiction, but only after the usual remedies through amicable means (conciliation, arbitration, etc.) have been exhausted.

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13) Official Version of the Rules

  1. These Rules are issued in both French and English.
  2. The French text shall be considered the only official version.
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14) Personal Data (GDPR Policy)

  1. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in force since 25 May 2018, candidates are informed that the Evgeny Svetlanov International Conducting Competition collects, uses, and shares the information contained in their application file with the Executive Committee of the Competition and the jury members involved in the applicants selection process.

  2. The information provided is stored and managed on secure iCloud servers.

  3. The information from the files of candidates selected for participation in the 2026 Competition (with the exception of video excerpts submitted by the candidates) will also be shared on social networks, the websites svetlanov-evgeny.com, and with the media, in order to ensure media coverage of the event for a minimum period of five years.

  4. The information from the files of applicants not selected for participation in the 2026 Competition will be deleted from the Competition’s servers and databases before the start of the Preliminary Round.

  5. However, we retain applicants’ email addresses in order to keep them informed of Competition news. We use the secure Mailchimp platform. If you wish to unsubscribe from these communications or have other questions regarding your personal data, please contact the Competition Secretariat.
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14) Contact

For any questions regarding the Competition, please contact us via the form available on the official website.

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