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.
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
Karlrobert Kreiten Competition 2025
- The competition dedicated to the memory of the virtuoso Karlrobert Kreiten, who was murdered by the National Socialists, will take place from January 27 - 29, 2025 at the HfMT Cologne.
- Registration deadline: January 17, 2025
The purpose of the competition is to draw up a list of outstanding students who may be given preferential consideration for support measures (concerts, scholarships, etc.) in the year of the competition and/or the following year. The selected students will be supported and encouraged in their development through concerts, scholarships and other support measures.
- Artistic direction: Prof. Sheila Arnold and Prof. Severin von Eckardstein
Call for entries and conditions of participation
All students enrolled at the university at the three locations Aachen, Cologne and Wuppertal who are majoring in piano at the time of the competition are eligible to take part. Former winners of the Karlrobert Kreiten Piano Competition may not participate again. The number of participants is limited in that no more than three students per class may be registered to take part.
Dates
- 27.01 2025: 1st round, Chamber Music Hall
- 28.01.2025: 2nd round, Chamber Music Hall
- 29.01.2025: Prizewinners' concert, 7.30 pm, Concert Hall, admission free
The exact performance times can be found in our calendar of events from one week before the start.
Prices
- 1st prize | € 1,000
- 2nd prize | 750 €
- 3rd prize | 500 €
Special prizes
- Best interpretation of a work by Robert Schumann | 250 €
- Best interpretation of a classical work | 250 €
- Best interpretation of a contemporary work | 250 €
In addition, concert engagements such as the opening concert of the Schumannfest Bonn 2025 on May 16, 2025
Repertoire
The competition takes place in two rounds. A program of 60 minutes in total is to be prepared at the discretion of the participants.
- 1st round: A program of max. 15 min. duration of free choice.
- 2nd round: A program of max. 45 min. duration of free choice.
The program should reflect the respective individual artistic focus.
Registration
Registration for participation is only possible by means of a completed participation form and must be sent by the main subject teacher to the competition office by e-mail. It is not possible for participants to register themselves. The completed registration form must be accompanied by a CV (continuous text) and the list of prepared works in final order. The form can be found in the download area.
Competition office:
Andrea Graff
Phone: +49 221 28380-255
wettbewerbe@hfmt-koeln.de
Supported by
Law firm CMS Hasche Sigle, Verein Schumannhaus Bonn e.V., Robert-Schumann-Gesellschaft e.V., Freunde Junger Musiker Köln Bonn e.V., Riverside Studios Cologne, piano magazine "The Pianist" as well as Mr. Peter Thunnissen and Ms. Tatjana Colsman
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 is 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.
- Artistic direction: Prof. Stefan Irmer and Prof. Anh Trung Sam
Documents & Downloads
Call for entries for the composition competition
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