Open to the students studying string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass) at
Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre
Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music
Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
University of Gothenburg
(bachelor and master programmes)

Schedule

7 December 2026: Online preparatory session
11 December 2026: Arrival and opening ceremony
12 December 2026: I round
13 December 2026: I round
14 December 2026: II round
15 December 2026: Masterclasses of jury members, award ceremony and final concert

The competition will take place in Tallinn, at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre.

Competition repertoire

I round
1. Baroque composition (or movements)
2. Virtuoso piece
3. Contemporary miniature
The total duration of the I round program must not exceed 25 min.

II round
Free-choice program. The pieces performed in the I round can not be repeated. The total duration of the II round program must be 10-15 min.

One piece composed by a composer from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia or Sweden is obligatory (in any round)

Pre-selection application for students of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre

To apply for participation in the competition, students of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre must submit this online application.

The deadline for submitting the application is 01.11.2026.

Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre students will be informed of the pre-selection results by 06.11.2026.

Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre students approved for participation in the competition have to submit an online registration form (link will be added soon) by 10.11.2026.

Rules

• The competition will comprise of a pre-selection organized by the local higher institution and followed by two rounds at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Participation is allowed only after passing the local pre-selection.
• The online registration form must be submitted by November 10th, 2026, only after passing the pre-selection at the local higher institution.
• All the pieces must be performed by memory (except chamber sonatas and music written after 1980).
• The performances of the contestants will be evaluated by an international Jury.
• If the performance surpasses the indicated time limit, the Jury is entitled to interrupt the performance.
• The contestants must perform musical pieces indicated in the application form. If there are any deviations from the program, Jury is entitled not to evaluate the performance.
• All the decisions of the Jury are final and not subject to appeal.
• The Jury will award diplomas to the winners.
• The competitors shall cover their own travel and accommodation costs. The organisers can assist with information on reasonably priced accommodation. (Each institution commits to attempting to fund the students’ participation in the competition through Erasmus exchange program funds).

More information will soon be added.

Contact
Liina Deutschler
liina.deutschler@eamt.ee
+372 58554044

All applicants for the 2026 Orchestra must be aged between 16 and 26 inclusive on 31 December 2026 and hold passports from one of the 27 European Union member countries.

The auditions will take place in two rounds:

• Strings prelininary audition on Monday, 9 November 2026 at 11.00 in D-511;
• Wind and percussion preliminary auditions (please choose whichever date suits you best!) in the EAMT Organ Hall on either 5 November at 16:00 or 12 November at 16:00. Please register in advance for your chosen date here.
• Final round on Monday, 16 November 2026 at 10.00 in A-404.

Repertoire
Candidates will be asked to play a prepared piece of their own choosing (eg a movement from a concerto, sonata etc) and a selection of orchestral extracts.
NB! Percussionists will be asked to play a selection of prepared orchestral extracts only (no piece).

How and when to apply
All the candidates are requested to fill in the application on the EUYO homepage latest by 2 November 2026.

Questions and additional info:
Kai Kiiv
6675 721
kai.kiiv@eamt.ee

Since its founding in 1976, the EUYO has grown into one of the world’s leading symphony orchestras, collaborating with many of the greatest musicians in history, such as Daniel Barenboim, Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, and Mstislav Rostropovich. Notably, the orchestra has also worked with its three Music Directors and the current Chief Conductor: Founding Music Director Claudio Abbado, former Music Director Vladimir Ashkenazy, former Music Director and current Conductor Laureate Bernard Haitink, and, since spring 2024, Chief Conductor Iván Fischer.

The EUYO’s spring and summer sessions are held at its residency in Grafenegg, Austria, followed by concert tours, details of which can be found on the EUYO homepage.

The Estonian Wind and Percussion Players Competition has been announced for eleven instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba and percussion.

The competition is open to Estonian citizens, persons with a residence permit in Estonia and foreign students living in Estonia and studying in a degree programme. It is also open to foreign students who have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre within the past five years. There is no age limit.

I Round (Selection Round): 22–23 November
II Round (Prize Round): 24–25 November
Grand Prix Round: 27 November

More info and registration: https://eamt.ee/en/event/estonian-wind-and-percussion-players-competition-2026/