Open call: Nicolai Malko Competition for Young Conductors

This prestigious competition, held every three years since 1965, aims to discover and promote exceptional young musical talents who have the potential to lead top orchestras worldwide. With Danish National Symphony Orchestra principal conductor Fabio Luisi as chairman, the upcoming competition promises to be an exceptional opportunity for aspiring conductors.

Application details

No late or partial applications will be accepted, so applicants are encouraged to submit their materials on time. To be eligible, applicants must have been born after 15 April 1989. In addition, there is a non-refundable application fee of €50, payable through the online application system.

Required materials

All applicants must submit the following materials as part of their application:

• A digital video recording of the candidate conducting an orchestra, fulfilling specific requirements such as visibility from an orchestral musician’s point of view and sufficient sound quality. It is recommended to use YouTube links, with no duration limit, or upload the video natively to the online application system, not exceeding 4GB and 10 minutes.
• Copy of birth certificate, passport or equivalent proof of age.
• High-resolution photograph.
• Biography of no less than 200 and no more than 400 words in English.

Prizes

For all participants, the Malko Competition offers opportunities that extend beyond the prize stage. Observers from leading symphony orchestras worldwide will closely follow the competition, scouting for potential future conductors. This means that even if participants don’t clinch a top prize, their talent may still catch the eye of orchestra leaders, opening doors to exciting future prospects.

• First prize: €20 000
• Second prize: €15 000
• Third prize: €12 000

Note: All competition rounds, including recordings, broadcasts, streams, podcasts, photographs and publications will have media coverage. Applicants are required to disclaim any rights and fees associated with these media rights. It is important to note that all applications will be treated as confidential, with a pre-jury reviewing and evaluating the submissions. The result of the preliminary round will be announced on 25 January2024, and all applicants will be notified via email.

View the original call here.