Markneukirchen - International Instrumental Competition

From 7 – 16 May 2026 the 61st Markneukirchen International Instrumental Competition invites outstanding young musicians from all over the world in the categories horn and tuba to a top-class performance competition over four rounds in the music town of Markneukirchen. Attractive cash prizes worth a total of 31,000 euros as well as concert engagements and special prizes await the best. 

As in previous years, the chief conductor of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, Christian Thielemann, has again assumed the patronage. The presidency is in the hands of Prof. Christian Lampert - himself a prize-winner of the 1988 Markneukirchen competition. He presides over a top-class international jury chaired by Prof. Mag. Johannes Hinterholzer (Horn) und Prof. Jörg Wachsmuth (Tuba). 

International Jury - Horn head: Prof. Mag. Johannes Hinterholzer Austria, Mr. Alec Frank-Gemmil Great Britain, Prof. Marie-Luise Neunecker Germany, Mrs. Maria Rubio Navarro Spain, Prof. Frøydis Ree Wekre Norway, Prof. Raimund Zell Germany, Prof. Szabolcs Zempléni Hungary 

International Jury – Tuba head: Prof. Jörg Wachsmuth Germany, Prof. Øystein Baadsvik Norway,, Prof. Jens Bjørn-Larsen Denmark, Prof. Gérard Buquet France, Prof. Ulrich Haas Germany, Prof. Eiichi Inagawa Japan, Prof. Daniel Perantoni USA 

All information on the competition procedure, the repertoire of both categories and further conditions can be found on the competition homepage https://instrumental-competition.de. The online application is available at the same place. 

The deadline for applications is 10 January 2026 (horn) and 31 January 2026 (tuba).