Internationally acclaimed conductor Fabio Luisi will serve as President of the Jury. He will be joined by the orchestra's Chief Conductor Michael Sanderling and its Artistic and Executive Director Numa Bischof Ullmann, with further jury members to be announced.
Beyond the financial awards, the competition places particular emphasis on professional opportunities. The first-prize winner will receive CHF 50,000 and an invitation to conduct the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester at the KKL Luzern during the following season. The second prize, worth CHF 25,000, includes a further concert engagement in Lucerne or the surrounding region, while the third prize carries an award of CHF 15,000.
The new competition builds on the orchestra's existing commitment to emerging conductors, notably its annual Conducting Week, which offers one participant an assistant conductor position with the orchestra.
"For three decades, I have devoted myself to working with conductors," says Numa Bischof Ullmann. "I have always sought out the figures of the future. The wonderful thing is that they are out there. They simply need to be discovered and supported."
Fabio Luisi similarly emphasises the importance of providing emerging artists with opportunities for growth, visibility and artistic exchange: "Supporting and promoting young talent means investing in the future of music and helping nurture the next generation of artists."
Candidates must be under 37 years of age and applications have already opened.
The Competition website can be found here.
©WFIMC 2026
