We’re coming to you LIVE from Geneva, Switzerland, for the first part of the Concours de Genève Conducting Competition. Taking place over two years, the 2025/26 conducting edition will culminate in the semi-finals and finals in 2026, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the Concours de Genève.

24 candidates will have the opportunity to conduct the Orchestre de la Haute école de musique de Genève, L’Orchestre de Chambre de Genève, Ensemble Contrechamps, and the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in repertoire spanning over three centuries.

After the first round, six semi-finalists will then compete from November 7–9, 2026, and three finalists will conduct the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande at Geneva’s Victoria Hall from November 10–13, 2026.

First prize will be awarded with CHF 20,000; second prize is CHF 12,000; and third prize is CHF 8,000. Three semi-finalists not selected for the finals will be awarded CHF 3,000 each. Special prizes include the Audience Prize with CHF 1,500.

Chaired by Bertrand de Billy, the 2025/26 jury comprises Sonia Ben-Santamaria, Baldur Brönnimann, Martin Campbell-White, Marzena Diakun, Rémi Durupt, Laurent Gay, Claire Levacher, Sarah Nemtanu, Eva Ollikainen, Peter Oundjian, Natalia Ponomarchuk, Mark Stringer, Arturo Tamayo, and Wingsie Yip.

 

COMPETITION SCHEDULE:

Round 1 Day 1 | October 31 at 9 AM (ET), 2 PM (ET)

Round 1 Day 2 | November 1 at 9 AM (ET), 2 PM (ET)

Round 2 Day 1 | November 2

Round 2 Day 2 | November 3