RULES

1.aThe competition is open to musicians of any nationality or gender, with no age restrictions. There will be a first, second, and third absolute prize, as well as prizes for the following categories:
- Under 25 — conductors born after January 1, 2001
- Over 45 — conductors born before January 1, 1981
- Female conductors — without age restrictions
1.b The competition is structured into two main phases: Eliminatory Phase and Final Phase.
1.cThe Eliminatory Phase will take place from March 1st until July 31st and consists of an examination of a video provided by the candidates.
1.dThe Final Phase will take place from September 21 until 25, 2026 in Târgu Mureș, Romania, European Union.
1.eTo participate, candidates must fill in the online application form on the website and send all the required documents.

2.a Candidates are requested to send a video at least 5 minutes long showing the conductor for at least 50% of its duration.
2.b Videos of performances or rehearsals are accepted.
2.c The videos must be played in streaming mode without any restrictions.

3.a The Final Phase consists of four steps: First and Second Rounds, Semi-final, and Final.
3.b The whole Final Phase will be performed with full symphony orchestra in front of the jury.
3.c All steps of the Final Phase, except the First Round, will be open to the audience.
3.d The candidate is free to rehearse or run through all the steps in the final phase, unless specifically asked by the jury.
3.e The jury can interrupt the candidate at any time.
3.f The amount of time that each candidate will have to present will vary according to the jury’s decision. In any case, enough time will be given to allow the jury to form a clear idea of the candidates’ skills.

Schedule of the Final Phase

4.1 Candidates must choose three pieces from the following list:
- L. van Beethoven, Coriolan Ouverture (Breitkopf)
- L. van Beethoven, Egmont Ouverture (Breitkopf)
- W.A. Mozart, Die Zauberflöte Ouverture (Kalmus)
- W.A. Mozart, Don Giovanni Ouverture (Breitkopf)
- G. Rossini, Sinfonia from “La Cenerentola” (Ricordi)
- G. Rossini, Sinfonia from “La gazza ladra” (Breitkopf)
4.2 The jury will inform the candidates of the piece they must conduct from the three chosen at the moment they step on the podium.
4.3 The jury may request the conduct of an entire piece or excerpts from more than one piece.

5.1 Candidates must choose two pieces from the following list:
- M. Ravel, Alborada del gracioso (Ed. Max Eschig)
- C.M. von Weber, Der Freischuetz (Simrock)
- A. Dvorak, Carnival Ouverture (Enoch)
- G. Verdi, Sinfonia from “La forza del destino” (Ricordi)
- G. Enescu, Rumanian Rhapsody No. 2 Op. 11 (Breitkopf)
5.2 The jury will inform the candidates of the piece they must conduct from the two chosen at the moment they step onto the podium.
5.3 The jury may request the conduct of an entire piece or excerpts from the two chosen pieces.

6.1 The candidates must prepare the following pieces:
- R. Schumann, Manfred Ouverture (Breitkopf)
- Z. Kodály, Dances of Galánta (Universal)
- C. Debussy, Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (Breitkopf)
- W.A. Mozart, “tutto è disposto” from Le nozze di Figaro (Breitkopf)
- G. Verdi, “Uldino! Uldin!… Mentre gonfiarsi… ” from Attila (Ricordi)
- G. Verdi, “L’onore! Ladri!” from Falstaff (Ricordi)
6.2 The jury will inform each candidate of the piece they must conduct as they step onto the podium.
6.3 The jury may request the conduct of an entire piece or excerpts from the three pieces.

7.1 The Final consists in a dress rehearsal and a public concert, as part of Târgu Mureș State Philharmonic Orchestra season.
7.2 The Final is open to three candidates, each of them will conduct one of the following pieces:
- R. Schumann, Manfred Ouverture
- Z. Kodály, Dances of Galánta
- C. Debussy, Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
And one of the following arias:
- W.A. Mozart, “tutto è disposto” from Le nozze di Figaro
- G. Verdi, “Uldino! Uldin!… Mentre gonfiarsi l’anima… ” from Attila
- G. Verdi, “L’onore! Ladri!” from Falstaff
7.3 Candidates will be informed of their piece the evening before the final.
7.4 The jury will decide the winner after the concert.
7.5 The jury will be present at the dress rehearsal but will not interfere.

● 3 concerts with Târgu Mureș State Philharmonic Orchestra (in 2027/2028 or 2028/2029 seasons)
● 1 concert with Romanian State Opera Symphony Orchestra in Cluj-Napoca (in 2027/2028 or 2028/2029 seasons)
● 1 concert with Arad Philharmonic Orchestra in Arad (in 2027/2028 or 2028/2029 seasons)
● 1 concert with Munich Kammerphilharmonie dacapo

● Best conductor under 25 who reached the Semifinal, consisting of the official plate of the Third Târgu Mureș International Conducting Competition and a scholarship of € 500,00
● Best conductor over 45 who reached the Semifinal, consisting of the official plate of the Third Târgu Mureș International Conducting Competition and a scholarship of € 500,00
● Best female conductor who reached the Semifinal, consisting of the official plate of the Third Târgu Mureș International Conducting Competition and a scholarship of € 500,00
● Orchestra prize: a concert with the Târgu Mureș State Philharmonic Orchestra, chosen by the orchestra members.

10.1 Candidates who have any kind of relations with a member of the jury (students, former students, relatives, employees) must declare his/her state at the moment of the application.
10.2 About the voting process, each member of the jury will give a point from 1 to 5 (where 5 is the highest mark), then a simple average will be made between the given votes.
10.3 Members of the jury who have any kind of relation with a participant will not vote for him/her and the votes will be calculated accordingly.
10.5 The results of each stage of the competition will be published on the website and will remain visible for the whole period of the competition.