Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition (PICC 2026)
Veranstalter
Wettbewerb
Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition (PICC 2026)
Format
In-person
instruments
Conductor
Bewerbungsfrist
February 25, 2026 23:59 (Ljubljana)
Veranstaltungsdaten
November 7 - November 14, 2026
Location
Bled, Slovenia
Kontaktdaten
Email: [email protected]
Webseite
Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition (PICC 2026)
The Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition 2026 (PICC 2026) will take place 7–14 November 2026 in Bled, Slovenia and is open worldwide to orchestra and opera conductors aged 18 and above, with no upper age limit. Led by Maestro George Pehlivanian, the competition is recognized for its high artistic standards and strong focus on real professional opportunities. Applications open on 15 December 2025, with all final rounds held at the Festival Hall Bled.
Following online applications, selected candidates advance to a Global Pre-Selection held in 15 international cities, with Maestro Pehlivanian present in person, before progressing to live orchestra rounds in Bled with the POA Festival Orchestra and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. Repertoire includes symphonic, operatic, and concerto works.
PICC 2026 offers a USD 75,000 total prize fund, including a USD 50,000 Grand Prize, along with guest conducting engagements, opera house opportunities, a recording project, and personal mentorship from George Pehlivanian, making it a significant career platform for emerging conductors.
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Application period: 15 December 2025 – 15 February 2026 (23:59 CET)
Application form: https://pehlivaniancompetition.com/application/
Selected candidates continue to Step 2.
Application form: https://pehlivaniancompetition.com/application/
Selected candidates continue to Step 2.
...
April–May 2026
Held in 15 international cities: London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Oslo, Ljubljana, Milan, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei.
Each city includes local jury members and George Pehlivanian present in person.
An exceptional Global Video Submission (GVS) option is available.
Held in 15 international cities: London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Oslo, Ljubljana, Milan, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Taipei.
Each city includes local jury members and George Pehlivanian present in person.
An exceptional Global Video Submission (GVS) option is available.
Up to 144 conductors progress to Step 3.
7–9 November 2026
PRB (Two-piano round) judged by a Special Jury of five international conductors.
18 finalists are selected to continue to the orchestra rounds.
PRB (Two-piano round) judged by a Special Jury of five international conductors.
18 finalists are selected to continue to the orchestra rounds.
...
10–14 November 2026
Partner ensembles:
• POA Festival Orchestra
• RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
Repertoire categories include Stravinsky, Mozart, Opera, Concerto, Symphony.
The Concerto Round features prize-winning soloists from major international piano competitions.
Final Concert & Awards Ceremony:
14 November 2026, Festival Hall Bled.
Partner ensembles:
• POA Festival Orchestra
• RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
Repertoire categories include Stravinsky, Mozart, Opera, Concerto, Symphony.
The Concerto Round features prize-winning soloists from major international piano competitions.
Final Concert & Awards Ceremony:
14 November 2026, Festival Hall Bled.
...
Prizes and Professional Opportunities
Total Prize Fund: USD 75,000
- Grand Prize: $50,000
- 2nd: $10,000
- 3rd: $5,000
- 4th: $3,000
- 5th: $2,000
- 6th: $1,000
- Orchestra Prize: $1,000
- Special Jury Prize: $1,000
- Public Prize: $1,000
- Pehlivanian Prize: $1,000
Additional benefits:
• Guest conducting engagements with partner orchestras
• Assistant conductor or guest observer invitations with partner opera houses
• Recording project with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra Prize)
• Personal mentorship from Maestro George Pehlivanian
• Guest conducting engagements with partner orchestras
• Assistant conductor or guest observer invitations with partner opera houses
• Recording project with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra Prize)
• Personal mentorship from Maestro George Pehlivanian
Accommodation
All 18 finalists receive hotel accommodation and breakfast in Bled
10–15 November 2026.
10–15 November 2026.
Audience
An audience is welcome at all public live rounds in Bled, including the Final Concert and Awards Ceremony.
Audience members vote for the Public Prize.
Audience members vote for the Public Prize.