Gigantic competition in the music market means that finding a place of one’s own becomes a matter of crucial significance for young artists. Some of them wish to achieve perfection and have the world at their feet by triumphing in prestigious competitions. Others, following Béla Bartók, claim that ‘competitions are for horses, not for musicians’; so they follow roads of their own, seeking niches in which they could pursue their passions.
Regardless of which group you belong to, the Karol Szymanowski International Music Competition is for you. It will open up new horizons for you. It will be an adventure encouraging you to discover and master a new repertoire. It is a space in which you will meet the most talented artist from around the world. It is an opportunity for showcasing your talent and personality before the jurors, some of whom are probably the musical heroes of your childhood.
Naturally, we cannot guarantee that it will be you who returns from the competition with €25,000 and invitations to perform worldwide in your pocket. We promise, however, that you will experience something unique, you will develop as an artist, and you will discover repertoire to inspire you for many years. And maybe you will actually win?
To participate in the Piano, Violin, String Quartet, or Voice discipline, you need to send a complete entry by 31.01.2023. Basing on the materials sent, the Qualifying Committee will preselect the participants.
To participate in the Composition category, you need to submit a piece compliant with the rules, together with a properly filled entry form by 30.09.2022.
Click Apply at the top of the page to take part in the competition.
The rules are available on the COMPETITION tab under each competition category. You are also encouraged to subscribe to the NEWSLETTER - you will receive important information about the Competition as soon as it is available.
The Competition is aimed at professional-level composers and performers in the following disciplines: Violin, Piano, String Quartet, Voice, and Composition.
Participation in the Competition may be your ticket to international artistic career and hasten your entry into the Polish and global music markets. The jury of the Competition is made up of exquisite composers, instrumentalists, conductors, concerting artists and teachers. Moreover, laureates are awarded substantial pecuniary prizes. The total prize money is 300,000 euros.
Every composition should be submitted anonymously, signed only with a pseudonym. The pdf file with the score must be named pursuant to the following pattern: pseudonym_discipline_szymanowski2022.pdf, otherwise, it will be rejected.
It is forbidden to enter compositions which have already been published, in their entirety or in fragments, before 30th October 2022; compositions which have been made available on the Internet; compositions awarded in any other competitions; compositions which have been performed publicly at any time.
To take part in the composition category, every participant is obliged to pay €25 or 110 PLN.
In case of an international transfer, one should choose OUR option.
BEN and SHA are not accepted.
Katowice, the capital of Silesia, is a leading cultural and business centre, attracting visitors from around the world. The heart of Katowice beats in the Culture Zone, a complex of culture and entertainment institutions in the centre of the city, on the site of a former coal mine. The Culture Zone comprises the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra (the organiser of the Competition), the Silesian Museum, and the Spodek. Katowice has 24 concert halls, 30 music clubs, 7 recording labels, 11 music shops, and 12 recording studios. An institution of special status among the above is the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music (co-organiser of the Competition) with its new magnificent concert hall, venue for multiple musical events.
Karol Szymanowski was one of the most outstanding composers of the 20th century. He exerted an immense influence on contemporary musical culture, and his works continue to inspire further generations of composers. His music has been performed by the most important artists, ensembles and conductors around the world. You can find more information about the extraordinary figure in the SZYMANOWSKI tab.
The Competition is organised by the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport, the City of Katowice, Polish Radio, the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice and the Karol Szymanowski Music Society in Zakopane.
The participants are professional-level composers and performers of all nationalities who meet the age criterion for their discipline:
• instrumentalists (piano, violin, string quartet) born in 1991–2006
• female singers born in 1991–2003 and male singers born in 1988–2003
• composers below 40 years of age.
A participant’s age must meet the age criterion on the last day of accepting entries, i.e. 30.09.2022. The participants can be composers and performers of all nationalities who are graduates or students of musical universities.
The list of pieces accepted for the main Composition Competition (identified by their logos) will be published on the website on a date to be announced soon.
The list of participants accepted for the performers’ Competition will be published on the Competition’s website no later than on 1st March 2023.
Yes, you will receive information by email.
The entries are assessed by the Qualifying Committee.
Both the Qualifying Committee’s and the Competition Jury’s decisions are final and unappealable.
The latest information can be found on our website and social media profiles, i.e. Facebook and Instagram. To avoid missing out on any information, we recommend subscribing to our NEWSLETTER
Yes, every participant guarantees that they are using legal sheet music. Please contact us should you have any trouble accessing original sheet music.
In the 1st and 2nd stage of the Competition, the Organiser of the Competition provides a piano accompanist for the participants in the Violin and Voice disciplines. You may also perform with a pianist of your choice, but the Organisers will not cover their travel and accommodation expenses.
Yes, the Organiser will provide the participants with practice rooms throughout the duration of the Competition.
The Organiser guarantees one rehearsal with a pianist before each stage of the Competition.
The Competition will be broadcast on the radio, in Polish Radio 2, and on the Internet, on our website and Youtube.
Contact details can be found in the CONTACT tab
The programme can be changed before the deadline for entries, i.e. 31.01.2023. The programme submitted by a candidate is subject to verification by the Committee in terms of its compliance with the Rules. In case of the programme being found non-compliant, the candidate shall introduce necessary changes. After the deadline for entries, the programme declared by the participant must not change.
The Organiser covers accommodation expenses for the participants:
The Organiser does not cover accommodation expenses for participants who are permanent residents of the Metropolis GZM. Participants travel at their own expense.
