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The 18th International “Dimitri Mitropoulos” Competition for Conducting

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About the competition
The Dimitri Mitropoulos International Competition was created in 1996 to mark the centenary of the birth of the great Greek conductor and composer Dimitri Mitropoulos. After a nearly fifteen-year hiatus the competition was revived in 2024 under the auspices of the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra in collaboration with the Thessaloniki Concert Hall, with the support of the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Prizes

1st Prize: 14.000 €
2nd Prize: 7.000 €
3rd Prize: 3.000 €

There will also be a 2.000€ award for the best performing Greek conductor The “Dimitris Dimitriadis” Award, and an honorary award for a conductor voted by the Orchestra.

Fact file
CatégoriesDirection
Date limite08 oct. 2026 - 18 janv. 2027
Concours27 - 30 mars 2027
LieuThessaloniki, Grèce
Ages des concurrents:Conductors of all nationalities born after 30 March 1992
Important dates

January 18, 2027  Deadline for Application Submissions.

February 18, 2027 Disclosure of the twelve (12) successful contestants, as selected based on the submitted application material.

February 25, 2027 Confirmation of participation by the successful contestants.

The Final Phase of the competition will take place in Thessaloniki between the 27th and the 30th of Match 2027, there will be no online rounds.

Travel & accommodation for competitiors

The contestants who qualify for the 1st Round of the 2nd Phase of the Competition must be present in Thessaloniki by the 26th of March 2027. 

The Competition shall cover accommodation expenses (B&B) of the successful contestants, at a 3-star or 4-star hotel which will be chosen in due time by the Competition (upon the announcement of the qualification results, further information will be sent to the finalists). Accommodation costs will be covered for up to 5 nights (26-30 March), as follows:

  • 3 nights for contestants who qualified for the 1st Round
  • 4 nights for contestants who qualified for the 2nd Round
  • 5 nights for contestants who qualified for the 3rd Round 

Jury
  • Martyn Brabbins (Chairman)
  • Daniel Geiss
  • Miltos Logiadis
  • Myron Michailides
  • Michalis Εconomou
  • Nayden Todorov
Competition rounds

1st Round: 27 - 28 March 2027

Contestants will be asked to conduct ensembles of musicians from the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra in works or excerpts from the Competition Repertoire, as determined by the Jury.
Each Contestant will have 60 minutes of rehearsal time at their disposal (2 * 30-minute rehearsals)

A maximum of eight (8) candidates will advance to the 2nd Round.


2nd Round: 29 March 2027 (Morning session)

Contestants will be asked to conduct the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (in full formation) in works or excerpts thereof from the Competition Repertoire, as determined by the Jury. 

Each contestant will have 20 minutes of rehearsal time at their disposal.

A maximum of three (3) competitors will be advance to the 3rd Round. 


3rd Round: 29 March 2027 (Afternoon session)

Contestants will be asked to conduct the Thessaloniki State Symphony Orchestra (in full formation) in works or excerpts thereof from the Competition repertoire by the Jury at the end of the 2nd Round.

Each contestant will have 50 minutes of rehearsal time at their disposal.


Final round: 30 March 2027

General Rehearsal at 10:00 am - Each contestant will have 50 minutes of rehearsal time with the Orchestra at their disposal, to conduct the repertoire that they have prepared for the final concert.

Public concert at 19:30 + Announcement of the results and Awards Ceremony