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Competitions

Where talent sets the tone

Artistic expression, great virtuoso ability, one's own interpretative approach: these are just some of the basic requirements for success in a music competition. Competitions are still very popular among young musicians and singers. They are heard, seen and judged by a jury, the audience and ideally also by organizers and concert agents.

Prize money and concerts await the winners, and many of today's nationally and internationally renowned musicians have been able to use a competition as a springboard to further develop their artistic work. At the interface between education and career, music competitions can provide targeted support for young musicians. Here you will find information about competitions at the Cologne University of Music and Dance as well as interesting competitions of other organizers.

Portrait Karlrobert Kreiten

University internal competitions

In addition, internal competitions also take place at the Cologne University of Music and Dance. They serve to compare the performance of students and also give teachers an insight into the strengths and weaknesses of their students.

  • Karlrobert Kreiten Piano Competition
  • Chamber Music Competition
  • Song Competition
  • Internal Competition of Friends and Sponsors

Internal song duo competition 2025

  • an event of the LiedGestalten | Liedakademie at the HfMT Cologne
  • In memory of Franz Müller-Heuser
  • Registration deadline is November 30, 2024

The competition serves as an invitation and inspiration to try out and develop artistically
as a song duo in an intimate
chamber music exchange.
In the vocal and pianistic training at the Cologne University of
Music and Dance, song in all its stylistic and
creative diversity is given special importance. The Lied Academy
at the Cologne University of Music and Dance offers a wide range of
courses for intensive study of all aspects of the Lied
and bundles the diverse activities surrounding the Lied, whereby the focus
of the training is on artistic work as a Lied duo.
The competition is held in memory of the former rector of the university
Prof. Franz Müller-Heuser, who was a great friend and supporter
of the Lied genre.
The prize money of 5000 euros will be donated by the Association of Sponsors
of the Cologne University of Music and Dance and the Lions Club Cologne-
Vitellius, of which Prof. Müller-Heuser was a member during his lifetime.

All further information can be found in the download area.

Documents & Downloads

Orchestral work for the university symphony orchestra in Wuppertal

The Wuppertal location of the HfMT Cologne is inviting applications for a composition commission for orchestra. The occasion is the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Cologne University of Music. We look forward to your participation and creative contributions to this special anniversary! We would like to thank the Robke van Gerfsheim Foundation for its generous support of the composition prize.

Call for entries

  • Aim: Composition of a work for orchestra, title freely selectable (duration: 5 minutes).
  • Orchestration: Maximum size of the orchestration of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 1.

Documents to be submitted

  • Sketch with at least 10 pages of score
  • Short written exposé on the conception of the piece

Closing date

  • December 31, 2024

Prize

  • 2,500 euros if the complete score and parts are submitted by June 30, 2025

Jury

  • Lutz-Werner Hesse, Barbara Rucha and a representative of the IfNM Cologne Prof. Miroslav Srnka
  • Decision announcement: Until January 31, 2025

World premiere

  • November 1, 2025 in the historic Stadthalle Wuppertal with the University Symphony Orchestra (HSO)

Requirements for the application

  • Active or completed studies at the Cologne University of Music and Dance

Please send submissions to:

Prof. Dr. Barbara Rucha

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