We cordially invite choirs and orchestras from around the world, particularly from Europe and China, to participate in the 2026 Youth Arts Festival. You will have the opportunity to interact with renowned conductors and educators, as well as perform alongside international choirs and orchestras. We hope you enjoy your unforgettable festival experience in Vienna, one of the most beautiful capitals in the world.
Event elements：
+ Opening and Welcome Ceremony
The opening ceremony of the festival will take place on February 6 for the winter event and on July 16, 2026 for the summer event in Vienna. Representatives of international artist groups will give speeches and a few outstanding ensembles will perform to welcome all participants and open the festival. Music, the common language of the world, presents the connection and fusion of cultures. By uniting participants of all ages, nationalities, and origins, the festival spreads the message of promoting international understanding while showcasing the artistic abilities and cultural characteristics of international ensembles.
+ Special concerts: Opening gala and “Music of Youth”
In the evening, the best international ensembles will gather for a special concert that will take all participating ensembles and the Viennese audience on a journey through the music and culture of the world. Through the language of music, we will be able to better understand and respect the cultural heritage and humanistic spirit of different countries and regions and appreciate the artistic expressions of different parts of the world. The concert will continue on the following days and take place at different wonderful venues in Vienna to celebrate intercultural exchange.
+ Master classes (Ensemble-Coaching)
Participating ensembles have the opportunity to register for a master class with an international conducting expert. The profiles of the conducting experts are listed in the appendix. Registered choir or orchestra prepare a piece of their own choice. An international conducting expert gives new input for stimulating artistic ideas and interpretive guidance. For an effective rehearsal, ensembles must prepare the piece of music and send it in advance to the e-mail address of the Organising Committee.
+ Friendship Competition
The Friendship Competition is divided into instrumental music and choral music categories, each with subcategories for adults and youth. Ensembles are motivated by the cheerful atmosphere of the competition and receive professional advice on how to improve. Each participating team is required to prepare one or two pieces of their own choice with a total duration of five to eight minutes. The titles of the pieces must be submitted together with the sheet music (as a PDF file) by the registration deadline.
+ Gala Concert: Certificate Award and Closing Ceremony
The gala concert and certificate award ceremony will take place on February 8, 2026, for the 12th International Youth Arts Festival, and on July 18, 2026, for the 8th World Youth Arts Festival, in the world-famous Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. The organizing committee will recognize all participating teams with certificates of honor for taking part in the festival. The festival’s highlight performances will also take place in this first-class concert hall.
+ Symposium on the development of music education for young people
During the festival, we are organizing a symposium on the development of music education for young people in collaboration with European experts and professors from the field of music. Participants: Conductors and music educators. The symposium offers music educators the opportunity to share experiences, invigorate music education and discuss the possibility of participating in our future international exchange programs.
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on our events.
