OPUS CLASSICAL MUSIC AWARDS VIENNA 2026 – TIMELINE
28 September 2026: Registration Opens
30 November 2026: Application Deadline
7 December 2026: Notification of Approved Contestants
7–11 December 2026: Competition Round Registration
19 January 2027: Competition Round Results Announcement
20 January 2027: Special Awards Nominees Announcement
23 January 2027: Special Awards Announcement
April 2027: Winners’ Gala Concert at the Musikverein, Vienna
2026 ELIGIBILITY
The Opus Classical Music Awards Vienna 2026 are open to instrumentalists, vocalists and chamber music performers of all nationalities and ages.
Applicants must submit a video link featuring their musical performance. The competition accepts links from major international video platforms, including YouTube, Vimeo, Bilibili and Youku.
Accepted Disciplines
- Keyboard Instruments: Piano, Accordion, Organ
- Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Guitar, Harp
- Woodwinds: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophone
- Brass: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
- Percussion
- Piano Duo / Four Hands
- Classical Voice: Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass
- Chamber Music: Duo, Trio, Quartet, Quintet, String Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Chamber Choir and other chamber ensembles
Repertoire
Participants are free to choose repertoire from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Modern or Contemporary periods.
Age Groups & Maximum Programme Duration
The participant’s age category will be determined by their age on the application deadline, 30 November 2026.
- Little Virtuoso – Age 5 and under / up to 5 minutes
- Young Artist I – Age 6–7 / up to 5 minutes
- Young Artist II – Age 8–9 / up to 7 minutes
- Rising Artist I – Age 10–11 / up to 7 minutes
- Rising Artist II – Age 12–13 / up to 9 minutes
- Emerging Artist I – Age 14–15 / up to 9 minutes
- Emerging Artist II – Age 16–17 / up to 12 minutes
- Advanced Artist I – Age 18–19 / up to 12 minutes
- Advanced Artist II – Age 20–21 / up to 15 minutes
- Master Artist I – Age 22–23 / up to 15 minutes
- Master Artist II – Age 24–25 / up to 20 minutes
- Professional Artist – Age 26 and above / up to 20 minutes
More than one prize may be awarded within the same age category.
FORMAT 2026
The Opus Classical Music Awards Vienna 2026 consist of a Preliminary Round, Competition Round and Nomination Round.
After the Competition Round results have been announced, participants will receive their official digital certificates. Participation in the Nomination Round does not require an additional fee.
1. Preliminary Round – FREE APPLICATION
Applications for the Preliminary Round are free of charge.
Candidates must submit a video link of their performance through the official OPUS application form. Audio-only submissions are not accepted.
Participants may submit a single video containing several works or movements. Different works may have been recorded on different dates or in different locations, provided that each individual work or movement is performed continuously without audio editing.
The submitted recordings must have been made within the 18 months preceding the application deadline.
The total duration of the submitted programme must not exceed the maximum duration specified for the participant’s age category.
Multiple cameras may be used when recording the performance. However, no artificial sound effects or audio enhancement may be added. Introductory titles displaying the performer’s name, the title of the work and the composer are permitted.
The competition accepts performances with piano, orchestra, chamber ensemble, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble or any other accompaniment required by the original score.
Participants are expected to present themselves in an appropriate and professional manner.
Failure to comply with the Rules & Regulations may result in disqualification.
The organisers reserve the right to make amendments to the competition regulations where necessary. Participants will be informed of any significant changes.
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
2. Competition Round – INVITATION & APPLICATION
Participants selected in the Preliminary Round will receive an official invitation by email containing instructions on how to register for the Competition Round.
Only applicants approved in the Preliminary Round are eligible to advance to this stage.
Participants may use the same video link submitted for the Preliminary Round or submit a different recording for the Competition Round, provided that it complies with the competition’s video requirements.
The Competition Round application fee is:
- Soloist: €88
- Chamber Music / Piano Four Hands: €150 per ensemble
A secure payment link will be provided during the registration process.
Once the Competition Round fee has been paid, it is non-refundable under any circumstances.
All Competition Round participants will receive an official high-resolution digital certificate after the results have been announced.
MARKING SYSTEM 2026
- Platinum Prize: 100 points
- Gold Prize: 94–99 points
- Silver Prize: 87–93 points
- Bronze Prize: 78–86 points
- Special Prize: 71–77 points
- Honour Prize: 65–70 points
- Finalist Certificate: 55–64 points
The number of awards is limited. However, prizes may be shared where more than one participant achieves the same score or level of distinction.
Application Deadline: 30 November 2026
