Rules & Prizes

The Orchestra’s Conductor Competition was founded by conductor Cristian Oroșanu and is developed in collaboration with a different host orchestra for each edition.

Its central idea is simple: the musicians who work directly with the competing conductors should have a decisive voice in choosing the winners.

1. A DIFFERENT MODEL OF ARTISTIC SELECTION
   
   The Orchestra’s Conductor Competition is built around a distinctive model of artistic selection: there is no external jury in the decisive stages of the competition. The winners are chosen by the musicians of the host orchestra.
   
   This gives the orchestra a direct role in selecting conductors who may become its future artistic collaborators and allows candidates to be evaluated through the musical relationship they establish with the musicians.
   
   Over the first five editions, this model has generated strong enthusiasm on both sides. Orchestra musicians have welcomed the opportunity to have a real voice in choosing the winners, while participating conductors have responded positively to an environment in which they can focus less on being assessed by an external panel and more on establishing a genuine musical connection with the orchestra.
   
   Each edition is organised in collaboration with a different host orchestra. The winners are offered opportunities to return as guest conductors in subsequent seasons, while representatives of other orchestras, artists’ agencies and the classical music industry may be invited to attend the final stage of the competition.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION
   1. Geros Association, in collaboration with the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra, will present the 6th edition of the Orchestra’s Conductor Competition, to be held in Brasov from 4 to 10 June 2027.
   2. Conductors of all nationalities are invited to apply. There is no age limit.
      
      Applications will be open from 15 October 2026 until 1 February 2027.
   3. The competition takes place in two phases:
      • Initial Phase — candidates are selected on the basis of submitted video recordings.
      • Final Phase — selected candidates are invited to work directly with the host orchestra through three rounds: First Round, Semifinal and Final.
      In the First Round, candidates are evaluated by five musicians from the host orchestra, forming a string quintet, together with the President and Vice-President of the Competition.
      
      In the Semifinal and Final, only the musicians of the host orchestra vote. They alone determine which candidates advance and, ultimately, who wins the competition.
   4. The Initial Phase is based on the assessment of two video recordings submitted by each candidate. Please refer to the Video Guidelines at the end of these Rules.
   5. The Final Phase will take place from 4 to 10 June 2027 in Brasov (Romania), concluding with the Final Concert with the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra on 10 June 2027, at Sala Patria.
   6. To participate, candidates must complete the online application form, available on the Competition website.
   7. English is the official language of the Competition and of all communication with candidates. The Competition team may assist applicants who do not speak English, upon request.
3. REGISTRATION
   1. Candidates must complete the online application form, pay the registration fee and submit the following materials and information:
      • two video recordings showing the candidate conducting an ensemble, in accordance with the Video Guidelines at the end of these Rules;
      • surname, given name and nationality;
      • any other information required in the online application form.
   2. Applications must be submitted by 1 February 2027.
   3. The registration fee for the Initial Phase is 35 EUR. Candidates selected for the Final Phase will be required to pay a participation fee of 550 EUR.
   4. The registration fee must be paid by 1 February 2027, and the participation fee by 15 March 2027, by bank transfer to the following account:
      
      Beneficiary: Geros Association
      Bank: Banca Transilvania
      Bank address: 13 Decembrie Street, Brașov, Romania
      IBAN: RO90BTRLEURCRT0434868701
      SWIFT: BTRLRO22
      
      Payment may also be made via PayPal through the page of the current edition, with an additional PayPal charge.
   5. Any bank charges associated with the payment are payable by the candidate.
   6. Only complete applications meeting all the requirements set out in these Rules will be considered. Registration is considered complete only after the required registration fee has been received.
   7. Semifinalists from previous editions are exempt from the registration fee and from the Initial Phase. They are automatically invited to the Final Phase and are required to pay only the participation fee.
      
      Previous semifinalists wishing to participate must submit proof of their semifinalist status and complete the dedicated application form.
4. INITIAL PHASE
   1. The Initial Phase is based on the assessment of two video recordings submitted with the application, in accordance with the Video Guidelines at the end of these Rules.
   2. Candidates will be informed of the results of the Initial Phase via email by 1 March 2027.
      
      A maximum of 75 conductors will be selected and invited to participate in the Final Phase. The names of the selected candidates will also be published on the Competition website before the beginning of the Final Phase.
   3. The selection will be made by:
      • the President or Vice-President of the Competition;
      • a representative of the host orchestra;
      • an internationally recognised conductor.
      For the 6th edition, Mr. Johannes Wildner will join the selection team.
      
      The Vice-President of the competition will be Mr. Andrej Vesel.
5. THE FINAL PHASE
   1. Candidates selected for the Final Phase must pay the participation fee of 550 EUR by 15 March 2027. After this deadline, the Competition management reserves the right to withdraw an invitation and offer the place to a candidate on the waiting list.
   2. Candidates invited to the Final Phase will be asked to provide additional information and materials, including photographs, a CV, a copy of their passport or identity document, social media profiles and a phone number.
   3. The Final Phase consists of three rounds:
      • First Round, with a string quintet;
      • Semifinal, with the host orchestra;
      • Final, with the host orchestra, concluding with the Final Concert.
   4. In the First Round, each participant will conduct a compulsory work and a second work chosen by the candidate from the designated repertoire. Each conductor will have a podium time of 10 minutes.
   5. For the Semifinal, the President or Vice-President of the Competition will assign each candidate two works from the designated repertoire: one orchestral work and one work with soloist. Candidates will be informed of their assigned repertoire 30 minutes before their podium time.
   6. The soloist for the 6th edition of the Orchestra’s Conductor Competition will be the pianist Razvan Dragnea.
   7. For the Final Concert, the repertoire will be organised into 3 programmes, each consisting of an orchestral work and a work with soloist. The programmes will be assigned to the finalists by drawing lots.
   8. Podium time is limited in each round. Candidates will have 10 minutes in the First Round and 25 minutes in the Semifinal. Each finalist will have a maximum of 40 minutes to rehearse with the orchestra on the morning of the Final Concert.
   9. Travel, accommodation and other personal expenses are the responsibility of candidates invited to the Final Phase.
   10. Candidates who do not advance to the Semifinal or Final may attend the remaining rounds as members of the audience.
       
       Candidates participating in the Semifinal or Final may attend the performances of their fellow candidates only after completing their own performance in that round.
   11. Following the First Round, the Competition will organise a 120-minute feedback session with the members of the string quintet, the President and the Vice-President. Candidates will have the opportunity to receive direct feedback and discuss their work with the musicians.
6. SCHEDULE OF THE FINAL PHASE
   1. FIRST ROUND: 4-6 June 2027
      
      A maximum of 75 candidates will participate in the First Round (25 conductors/day).
      
      Each candidate will conduct the following compulsory work:
      • Stravinsky: Concerto in D (1st movement, up until figure nr.27)
      and one work of their choice from the following repertoire:
      • Mozart: Divertimento in F major, K.138: first movement (Allegro), without repetitions.
      • Tchaikovsky: Serenade, 2nd movement
      • Respighi: Antiche danze ed arie, Suite nr.3, Second movement — Arie di corte (up until bar nr.122)
      • Bartók: Divertimento, 1st movement (up until bar nr.41)
      Candidates should first run through the compulsory work and then rehearse some passages. They should organise their podium time so that they can also run through and rehearse their chosen second work.
      
      The total podium time for each candidate is 10 minutes.
      
      Where necessary, short divisi passages will be adapted by the musicians to suit the string quintet.
   2. SEMIFINAL: 7-9 June 2027
      
      A maximum of 18 candidates will participate in the Semifinal, with 6 conductors per day.
      
      For each candidate, the President or Vice-President of the Competition will select two works from the following repertoire: one orchestral work and one work with soloist.
      • W.A.Mozart: Piano Concerto nr.3, k.40
      • Rossini: Ouverture Il barbiere di Siviglia
      • W.A.Mozart: Rondo in D for piano and orchestra, k.382
      • Rossini: Ouverture La gazza ladra
      • L.v.Beethoven: Rondo for piano and orchestra Wo 06
      • Rossini: Ouverture Semiramide
      This repertoire will also form the basis of the Final Concert.
      
      During their 25-minute podium time, candidates may choose how to divide their time between running through the repertoire and rehearsing selected passages.
   3. FINAL: 10 June 2027
      
      The Final will consist of a dress rehearsal in the morning and the Final Concert in the evening.
      
      Each finalist will have a maximum of 40 minutes to rehearse with the orchestra during the morning dress rehearsal.
      
      The three finalists will draw lots to determine their programmes from the following combinations:
      1. Mozart k.40 + Rossini - Il barbiere di Siviglia
      2. Mozart k.382 + Rossini - La gazza ladra
      3. Beethoven + Rossini - Semiramide
      The draw will take place on 9 June, following the announcement of the Semifinal results.
      
      The Final, including both the dress rehearsal and the Final Concert, will be open to the public.
7. PRIZES
   1. FIRST PRIZE
      • 3500 EUR
      • One guest-conducting engagement with the Brasov Philharmonic Orchestra during the 2027-28 or 2028-29 season
      • Diploma
   2. SECOND PRIZE
      • 2500 EUR
      • Diploma
   3. THIRD PRIZE
      • 1500 EUR
      • Diploma
   The three prize winners may also be considered for guest-conducting opportunities with other orchestras whose representatives attend the Final.
   
   All Semifinalists will receive a certificate confirming their achievement. They will also be entitled to participate in future editions of the Orchestra’s Conductor Competition without going through the Initial Phase.
8. THE VOTING SYSTEM
   1. Initial Phase
      
      Selection in the Initial Phase will be carried out by:
      • the President or Vice-President of the Competition;
      • a representative of the host orchestra;
      • an internationally recognised conductor/mentor.
      A number of 75 candidates will be selected for the Final Phase. The results will be communicated to candidates by 1 March 2027.
   2. First Round
      
      Candidates in the First Round will be evaluated by five musicians forming a string quintet, together with the President and Vice-President of the Competition.
      
      Each voter will award each candidate a score from 1 to 10. The candidates will be ranked according to their average scores, and the 18 candidates with the highest results will advance to the Semifinal.
      
      The results will be announced in the evening of 6 June 2027, around 30 minutes after the end of the first round, there where the first round takes place.
      
      In the event of a tie, the first violinist of the quintet will have the casting vote.
      
      The management will organise a 120-minute feedback session with the quintet musicians, the president and the vice-president, just after the results of the first round. Candidates thus could ask direct opinions to the musicians.
   3. Semifinal and Final
      
      From the Semifinal onward, only the musicians of the host orchestra vote.
      
      Each musician will award each candidate a score from 1 to 10. The scores awarded by the musicians will be combined to determine each candidate’s final result.
      
      The 3 candidates with the highest scores in the Semifinal will advance to the Final.
      
      The Semifinal results will be announced shortly after the rehearsal of June 9th, and the final results will be announced at the end of the Gala Concert.
      
      In the event of a tie, the concertmaster of the host orchestra will have the casting vote.
   4. All musicians of the host orchestra are entitled to vote in the Semifinal and Final, including musicians who are not performing in this particular programme, provided that they attend every rehearsal and performance of every candidate in the respective round.
   5. A musician may abstain from voting for a particular candidate. A candidate’s result will be calculated exclusively from the scores actually cast.
   6. The Competition soloist is also entitled to vote in the Semifinal and Final under the same conditions as the musicians of the host orchestra.
9. COPYRIGHT AND MEDIA RIGHTS
   1. The Competition is a public and media event. Rehearsals, performances and other Competition activities may be photographed, audio-recorded, filmed, broadcast or streamed by the organisers or by authorised media partners.
   2. By submitting an application, candidates authorise the organisers to use photographs, audio recordings and video recordings made in connection with their participation in the Competition for communication, documentation and promotional purposes, including television, radio, print, websites and social media.
   3. Candidates also authorise the organisers to use their name, image and biographical information in publications, announcements and other materials related to the Competition.
   4. Candidates may be invited to participate in interviews, photo sessions and other media or promotional activities connected with the Competition.
10. CANCELLATION / FORCE MAJEURE
    
    In the event that the Competition must be cancelled due to circumstances beyond the organisers’ control, including war, civil or political unrest, epidemics, natural disasters, public bereavement or other events of force majeure, registration and participation fees are non-refundable.
    
    The organisers cannot assume responsibility for travel, accommodation or other expenses incurred by candidates in connection with their participation.
11. PERSONAL DATA
    1. Personal data provided by candidates will be collected and processed by Geros Association in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and applicable data protection legislation.
    2. Only personal data necessary for the organisation and administration of the Competition will be collected. This may include information required for registration, participation, communication, media activities and the awarding of prizes.
    3. By submitting an application, candidates acknowledge that the personal data required for registration and participation will be processed for these purposes. Failure to provide mandatory information may result in the application being considered incomplete.
    4. Personal data will be treated confidentially and will not be used for unrelated commercial purposes. It may be shared only where necessary for the organisation of the Competition or where required by law.
    5. Candidates may exercise their rights under applicable data protection legislation, including the rights of access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing and data portability, where applicable.
       
       Requests concerning personal data may be sent to:
       
       dpo@orchestrasconductor.com
12. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
    
    These Rules are governed by Romanian law.
    
    Any dispute arising from the interpretation or application of these Rules should first be addressed through an attempt at amicable resolution. If no resolution can be reached, the dispute will be submitted to the competent courts in Brașov, Romania.
13. VISA AND TESTS
    1. Each participant is responsible for ensuring that they meet all legal requirements for entry into the country where the Competition is held, including visa requirements, medical tests and any other formalities imposed by the relevant authorities.
    2. Upon request, the organisers may provide selected candidates with an official letter of invitation to support their visa application or other entry formalities.
14. FINAL PROVISIONS
    1. All selection and voting results at every stage of the Competition are final and cannot be appealed. The Competition management is under no obligation to provide individual explanations concerning selection or voting results.
    2. The Final is open to the public. Sharing comments, photographs and impressions on social media is welcome. Unauthorised audio or video recording is not permitted.
15. VIDEO GUIDELINES FOR COMPETITION ENTRANTS
    1. The purpose of the videos is to provide a clear representation of the candidate’s conducting skills. The conductor must therefore be clearly visible, and at least part of each video must show the conductor from the front.
    2. Videos may feature any instrumental or vocal ensemble consisting of at least two musicians.
    3. There are no restrictions regarding the date of the recordings submitted.
    4. The two videos may feature different movements or sections of the same work.
    5. Videos must be available for online streaming and accessible without passwords or other viewing restrictions. Candidates are not required to provide downloadable files.
    6. Candidates must provide one link for each video.
    7. Each video must contain at least 3 minutes of continuous, unedited conducting footage.
    Candidates are strongly encouraged to ensure that their videos comply with these guidelines. Videos that do not meet the requirements may negatively affect the candidate’s evaluation during the Initial Phase.