Record number of applications in the horn category – 162 applications from 29 countries

(cs) The new year begins in the music city with an unprecedented influx of applications for a Markneukirchen competition in the horn category. A total of 162 young musicians aged between 13 and 29 from 29 countries on five continents have registered for the 61st International Instrumental Competition in this category. Most of them come from Germany (35), but there are also particularly high numbers of registrations from China (26) and France (12).

In the coming weeks, a preliminary selection jury will decide who will be admitted to the competition based on audio recordings submitted by the applicants. The results are expected in mid-February.

Horn players who qualify are cordially invited to demonstrate their skills from 7 to 16 May 2026 in three demanding competition rounds and the final round at the Musikhalle Markneukirchen. They will be evaluated and, following their participation, also advised by a seven-member jury consisting of Prof. Johannes Hinterholzer (Austria, chair), Mr Alec Frank-Gemmil (Great Britain), Prof. Marie-Luise Neunecker (Germany), Ms Maria Rubio Navarro (Spain), Prof. Frøydis Ree Wekre (Norway) and the Markneukirchen prize winners from 2004 and 2000, Prof. Raimund Zell (Germany) and Prof. Szabolcs Zempléni (Hungary).

The registration deadline for the second competition instrument – the tuba – is 31 January 2026.