Child
€1,750
7 days for one participating child
Everything in the list below, for the child.
Choose the package for a childYoung Musicians 2027
An international competition for children and young people up to 21: music-school pupils, students and young professionals. Round I is by video; Round II and the final take place at Vienna’s Ehrbar Saal in February 2027.
Young talents, big future
Round I: video by 15 November 2026
9 days left until Round I closes on 15 November 2026.
From Austria and the EU: by 15 December 2026
How it went in 2025
Young Musicians 2025
The first edition: rounds in Yerevan, then five days in Vienna with rehearsals, masterclasses, the final and a gala concert on 29 September 2025 in the Ehrbar Saal.
- 35prize-winners in the final
- 5disciplines, from piano to voice
- 13jury members at the Vienna final
- 5days in Vienna with masterclasses and concerts
Moments from the final
2025 prize-winners
Piano
- Grand Prix
- Eduard Gevorgyan
- 1st prize
- Hayk DanoyanMaria NersisyanMark MinasyanMari DanielyanElen KhachikyanMenua Melik-Haykazyan
- 2nd prize
- Hayk MurajyanSargis Mirzoyan
- 3rd prize
- Dayana Hovhannisyan
Strings
- Grand Prix
- Shushanna Puchinyan
- 2nd prize
- Lilia Avchyan
- 3rd prize
- Vahe Gyulambaryan
Wind, brass and percussion
- Grand Prix
- Edgar Nersisyan
- 1st prize
- Yeva Nersisyan (flute)Vahagn Yengibaryan (Marimba)Robert MargaryanGor Harutyunyan
- 2nd prize
- Nane Bayramyan
National instruments
- Grand Prix
- Narek Sargsyan
- 1st prize
- Irina HovhannisyanLuiza MelkumyanNelli Torosyan
- 2nd prize
- Emma Balasyan
Voice
- Grand Prix
- Anzhela Mikayelyan
- 1st prize
- Sargis NazaretyanAriana ZargaryanElizmari Shakhanumyan
- 2nd prize
- Ani SargsyanMikayel ArabyanGayane HovhannisyanTamara MatevosyanDina Martirosyan
- 3rd prize
- Mane Gevorgyan
- Certificate
- Meri Ohanyan
2025 final jury: Boris Perrenoud (chair), Siranush Galoyan, Nareh Arghamanyan, Cordelia Höffer-Teutsch, Olivera Miljaković, Susanna Chakhoian, Peter Hosek, Martin Rühl, Sevena Salmasi, Igor Pokrovsky, Valerii Marchenko, Galina Mauracher, Werner Hackl. The rounds in Yerevan were judged by a separate local jury.
Gallery
- 2025 documentary (31 minutes) ↗ on Facebook
- Recording of the gala concert, 29 Sept 2025 ↗ on YouTube
Age categories
Age is counted on 1 January 2026. Times are the maximum length of each performance.
| Category | Age | Round I | Round II | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | up to 8 | 7 min | 8 min | 8 min |
| B | 9 to 11 | 8 min | 10 min | 10 min |
| C | 12 to 14 | 10 min | 12 min | 12 min |
| D | 15 to 17 | 12 min | 15 min | 18 min |
| E | 18 to 21 | 15 min | 18 min | 20 min |
Disciplines
- Piano
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
- Classical voice
- Wind: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, French horn
- Folk instruments such as duduk, qanun, kamancha, bandura, cimbalom, sopilka, accordion, bayan, zither, alphorn, bagpipes, mandolin
The programme depends on discipline and age: in Round I two contrasting pieces from different periods, in Round II a Classical work and a piece of free choice from another period, and in the final a virtuoso piece and a piece of free choice (folk instruments: a free concert programme). Singers present a Lied and an aria from oratorio or opera in Round I. Everything is performed from memory (chamber ensembles excepted), and no work may be played in two rounds. The details for each discipline are in the regulations.
Timeline
| Date | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 15 November 2026 | Round I deadline (video), applicants from outside the EU (visa) | |
| 20 November 2026 | Round I results and invitations | |
| 15 December 2026 | Round I deadline (video), applicants from Austria and the EU | |
| 3–4 February 2027 | Round II | Ehrbar Saal |
| 5 February 2027 | Final and laureates’ gala concert open to the public | Ehrbar Saal |
Prize-winners and diploma holders are decided after Round II. Only first-prize winners from Round II go through to the final.
Fees
| What | Amount | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Round I (video), soloper person and discipline | €30 | by the application deadline |
| Round I (video), ensembleper ensemble member | €15 | by the application deadline |
| Round II in Vienna, soloper person | €100 | only if invited to Round II |
| Round II in Vienna, ensembleper ensemble member | €50 | only if invited to Round II |
Final prices. The Round I fee must arrive before the deadline; only then is participation confirmed. Once the 14-day withdrawal period has passed, fees are not refunded under the regulations (Withdrawal & cancellation).
7 days in Vienna: music, masterclasses and culture
On request, the Vienna Beethoven Group organises the entire trip. There are two packages to choose from. If you prefer to travel on your own, you can plan the trip yourself as before.
Child + companion
€3,000
Price for two
For the child and one parent or another companion. Flights, accommodation, meals, transfer, visa support and cultural programme for both; masterclasses for the child.
Choose the package for twoIncluded in the price
- Return flights from Yerevan
- 4-star hotel
- Meals during the trip
- Transfer Bratislava–Vienna
- Masterclasses for the participating child
- Visa support, including visa fees and costs
- Museums with admission as per the programme
- Cultural and city programme in Vienna: historic centre, sights, musical heritage
Book by 25 November 2026
Please confirm participation by this date so there is enough time for visas, booking and organisation.
Final prices in euros. Visa decisions rest with the competent embassy or consulate.
Or write directly to golden_
Assessment
Each jury member awards up to 10 points and the result is the total, so a three-member jury can give at most 30. Teachers do not assess their own students. The jury may award one Grand Prix at most, chosen among those who reach full marks in the final. Special prizes are also possible, for example for the best performance of a work by Beethoven.
| Points | Result |
|---|---|
| 30–29 | First prize |
| 28–27 | Second prize |
| 26–24 | Third prize |
| 23 or fewer | Participation diploma |
Awards are laureate diplomas for first, second and third prize, participation diplomas and special jury prizes. First-prize winners perform at the laureates’ gala concert.
Scholarships at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory
- 100 %1 full scholarship: 100 % of tuition covered
- 5 × 50 %5 partial scholarships: 50 % of tuition each
One full scholarship and five partial scholarships are awarded for studies at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory in Vienna. Last year, five participants received free tuition at the conservatory.
Young Musicians 2027 jury
The jury is headed by Jörg Bierhance. Its members are professors, performing musicians and teachers from several countries. Its decisions are final.
Head of the jury
M. Mus. Jörg Bierhance
Conducting
Biography
The conductor has led the European Music Institute Vienna, successor to the Wiener Meisterkurse, since 2016 and is dean at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Aprile Millo
Opera singer, vocal master
Biography
The American soprano is closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she sang the great Verdi roles. She is regarded as one of the defining dramatic sopranos of her generation and has given masterclasses in Vienna for several years.
Valerii Marchenko
Composer
Biography
The composer has been an Honorary Senator and honorary committee member of the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory since 2025. That year his “Lacrimosa” was premiered in the Ehrbar Saal.
Jimmy Chang
Piano
KS Olivera Miljaković
Opera singer
Biography
Born in Belgrade in 1934, the soprano joined the Vienna State Opera in 1963, where her roles included Susanna, Zerlina and Despina; from 1965 she also sang at the Salzburg Festival. She was named Kammersängerin in 1984 and now teaches at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Ion Scripcaru
Strings
Tamar Atchba
Piano
Pavel Singer
Piano
Biography
He heads the composition department at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory.
Cordelia Höfer-Teutsch
Piano
Natalia Hiesberger
Piano
Susanna Chakhoyan
Vocal
Natalya Golder
Vocal
Biography
The opera singer teaches voice at the Vienna Beethoven Conservatory. Her teaching combines secure technique with each voice’s artistic individuality.
Louise Iris Chisson
Violin, France
Elena Ilyina
Piano
Galina Mauracher
Piano
Anna Sarkisova
Piano, USA
For parents
- Signature: For participants under 18, a parent or legal guardian signs the application form and the consent form.
- Supervision in Vienna: The regulations do not cover supervision. Before travelling, agree with the organising committee who will accompany your child during the rounds.
- Travel: Families arrange passports, visas, health insurance and travel themselves. Anyone who passes Round I receives an official invitation to Vienna.
- Photos and video: The competition is recorded. What may be published is set out in the consent form, which you can withdraw for the future at any time.
- Results: Name, discipline and prize are published as the organiser announces them. We do not give age or place of residence.
- Contact: The organising committee answers questions at golden_
lyre_ and +43 1 367 37 17. Our principles: Child protection.competition @beethovengroup.at
Applying
All documents go to a single address: golden_
- Application form and consent form, completed and signed
- Copy of a passport or ID (PDF)
- Artistic photos (JPEG or PNG) with the photographer’s name, plus a 3:4 portrait photo
- Artistic CV (PDF)
- Programme with full titles, composers and approximate duration
- Link to the video recording with the name of whoever filmed it
- Proof of payment for Round I
Bank details
Transfers in euros (Austria)
- Account holder
- Beethoven Conservatory of Vienna GmbH
- IBAN
- AT98 3439 0000 0004 1756
- BIC/SWIFT
- RZOOAT2L390
- Reference
- full name and discipline
Transfers in dram (Armenia)
- Account holder
- GALOYAN ART PRODUCTION LLC
- Bank
- IDBank CJSC, 13 Vardanants Street, Yerevan 0010, Republic of Armenia
- Account number
- 11820010303400
Poster to share
Poster to share
For WhatsApp, Instagram and the notice board at your music school or conservatory. The link on the poster leads straight here.
Questions
How do I apply?
Download the application form, consent form and regulations for your competition, record your video and pay the fee. Then send everything in one email to golden_
How will I know my application has arrived?
You receive a confirmation by email once your documents are complete. For the young musicians’ competition, the organising committee confirms receipt within five working days.
When is the deadline exactly?
Young musicians until 15 November 2026 inclusive, Festival & Summer Academy until 15 November 2026. The video pre-selection for the 2027 opera competition has closed. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Do I get the fee back if I am not selected?
No. The fee covers organisation and assessment and, under the regulations, is not refunded unless the organiser cancels the competition. For the opera competition, you only pay the live-round fee after passing the pre-selection. As a consumer, however, you can withdraw within 14 days of registering; see Withdrawal & cancellation.
Who signs for minors?
A parent or legal guardian signs the application form and the consent form; both are required for participants under 18.
Who looks after my child in Vienna?
The regulations do not cover supervision. Before travelling, agree with the organising committee who will accompany your child during the rounds. Families arrange travel, accommodation and insurance themselves. Our principles are set out under Child protection.
Will photos of my child be published?
The competition is photographed and filmed. What may be published is governed by the consent form you sign. You can withdraw that consent for the future at any time; an email to golden_
I need a visa. Who can help?
If you pass the video round, you receive an official invitation to the rounds in Vienna. You arrange your passport, visa and health insurance yourself, so apply for the visa early.
May the organiser record my performance?
Yes. By taking part you agree to audio, photo and video recordings and their publication without a fee. The details are in the regulations and the consent form; you can withdraw consent for the future.