Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition

Step 2: Selected candidates continue to Global Pre-Selection, with Step 2 registration due by 25 February 2026, at 23:59.

Step 3: Preliminary Round in Bled from 7 - 9 November 2026.

Global Pre-Selection (GPS) takes place in the following 15 international cities: London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, Oslo, Ljubljana, Milan, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei.

An exceptional Global Video Submission (GVS) option is available for candidates unable to travel for reasons outlined on our website.

Preliminary live rounds are held in Bled, Slovenia.

The Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition (PICC 2026) consists of three steps and several live rounds. Step 1 applications open on 15 December 2025 and close on 15 February 2026. Selected candidates proceed to Step 2 Global Pre-Selection (GPS), held in 15 major capitals in April–May 2026, with an exceptional option for Global Video Submission (GVS) for those who cannot travel. 

Up to 144 conductors are invited to Step 3 Preliminary Round Bled (7–9 November 2026), conducted with two pianos for a Special Jury comprised of five international conductors. These (PRB) jury members then select eighteen finalists who advance to the five orchestral rounds (10–14 November 2026), which are adjudicated by leading experts who comprise the International Jury Members, progressing through repertoire-based stages including Stravinsky, Mozart, opera, concerto, and symphony rounds with two distinguished partner orchestras: the POA Festival Orchestra and the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra. The Final Concert and Awards Ceremony take place on 14 November 2026 at Festival Hall Bled, Slovenia.

A three-day Career Development Conference runs alongside the Preliminary Round (7–9 November) and is free for all registered candidates. Its purpose is to open an informed discussion about the present and future conditions under which classical musicians build their careers, providing candidates with essential knowledge, expert perspectives, and meaningful professional connections.

Total prize fund: USD 75,000

• Grand Prize $50,000
• 2nd Place $10,000
• 3rd Place $5,000
• 4th Place $3,000
• 5th Place $2,000
• 6th Place $1,000
• Orchestra Prize $1,000
• Special Jury Prize $1,000
• Public Prize $1,000
• Pehlivanian Prize $1,000

Additional benefits:

• Guest conducting engagements with Partner Orchestras
• Assistant Conductor or Guest Observer invitations with Partner Opera Houses
• Orchestra Prize includes a recording with RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra
• Personal mentorship from Maestro George Pehlivanian

All Prizes may be shared. The Jury reserves the right not to award the Grand Prize or other prizes.

Berlin, Germany
– Marlene Brüggen, Head of Artistic Planning, DSO Berlin
– Eckart Hübner, Dekan, Fakultät Musik Berlin

Vienna, Austria
– Robert Gilder, Managing Director, Robert Gilder & Co

Oslo, Norway
– Pål Svendsberget, Direktør, Kristiansand Symfoniorkester
– Torleif Thedéen, International Soloist

New York, USA
– Evans Mirageas, The Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera

Chicago, USA
– Evans Mirageas, Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera
– Henry Fogel, Former President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Los Angeles, USA
– Evans Mirageas, Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director, Cincinnati Opera
– Neal Stulberg, Chair Conducting Department, UCLA

Tokyo, Japan
– Toshihiro Yonezu, Japanese Conductor

London, UK
– To be announced

Seoul, South Korea
– Christopher Chen, International Conductor
– Yunsung Chang, Professor of Conducting, Seoul National University

Beijing, China
– Christopher Chen, International Conductor

Shanghai, China
– Christopher Chen, International Conductor

Taipei
– Christopher Chen, International Conductor

Paris, France
– To be announced

Ljubljana, Slovenia
– Maja Kojc, Artistic Director RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra

Milan, Italy
– Ruben Jais, Managing and Artistic Director Fondazione Arturo Toscanini Parma

Each GPS city includes designated local jury member(s) and George Pehlivanian, who is present at every GPS audition.

Participants cover their own costs for Steps 1–3.

All 18 finalists selected after the Preliminary Round Bled are offered hotel accommodation and breakfast in Bled from 10–15 November 2026.

Audiences are welcome to all public live rounds in Bled, including the Final Concert and Awards Ceremony. 

Audiences present in the hall will have the opportunity to vote for the winner of the Public Prize.