The International Conducting Competition Rotterdam is excited to announce the details of the third edition of its competition and career development for young conductors aged 23 to 30 years. Expanding its activities beyond Rotterdam for the first time, The 2027-2028 edition will include brand new activities in collaboration with the Dresdner Philharmonie and the Lead Lab Helsinki. By combining live performances, mentoring, academy activities and international orchestral collaborations, it further strengthening ICCR’s position as one of the most comprehensive career development programmes for young conductors in the world.
Stretching across a two-year period the competition will kick off with the live Selection Rounds (2 to 4 July 2027) and finish with the Finals (22 August to 3 September 2028) both taking place in de Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
FINALS 22 AUGUST – 3 SEPTEMBER 2028
Concert 1 – Classical – Orchestra of 18th Century – Farrenc, Haydn & Schubert
Concert 2 – Proms – Sinfonia Rotterdam – Free choice
Concert 3 – Contemporary – Ensemble Modern – Webern, Benjamin, Šenk, Lutosławski
Concert 4 – Opera – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Laurens Symfonisch – Verdi
Concert 5 – Soloist – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra & t.b.a. violinist – Prokofiev
Concert 6 – Finals – Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra – Brahms
New Partnerships
ICCR is looking forward to extend its activities beyond Rotterdam in 2028, offering new opportunities for the designated winners to work with excellent orchestras in different environments between the 2027 semi-finals and 2028 finals.
X Lead Lab Helsinki
As part of the expanded international programme, ICCR will collaborate with Lead Lab Helsinki from 10 to 13 January 2028. The Finnish Lead Foundation directed by conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste supports emerging conductors through mentoring programs, Lead Labs and the Fiskars Summer Festival. From 10 to 13 January 2028 an ICCR x Lead Lab will be hosted in Helsinki where the designated winners will work with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Jukka-Pekka Saraste.
The competition is open to professional conductors of all nationalities who are at least 23 years and maximum 30 years of age (on 1 July 2027).
After an online selection round through MUVAC 24 conductors will be invited for the live selection rounds with Sinfonia Rotterdam.
Quarter Finals (2 & 3 July 2027) – Bacewicz, Crawford Seeger, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky & Wirén.
Semi Finals (4 July 2027) – Mozart & Beethoven
Six designated winners will be selected for participation in all following activities, including all Finale rounds. Next to them, two conductors will be selected for the new ICCR Fellows program, which offers them the opportunity to join for all academy activities and assist during all rehearsals.
The exact jury members for each round/phase will be announced later, currently confirmed for participation are:
PERFORMANCE AWARD
For each of the six selected conductors, as a fee for their performances throughout the competition
• A sum of 5,000 Euro
FIRST PRIZE
• A sum of 20,000 Euro (inclusive of the performance award)
SECOND PRIZE
• A sum of 15,000 Euro (inclusive of the performance award)
THIRD PRIZE
• A sum of 10,000 Euro (inclusive of the performance award)
AUDIENCE AWARD
CODARTS AWARD
• An engagement with the Codarts Orchestra awarded by students of Codarts.
18 | 05 | 2026
The International Conducting Competition Rotterdam is excited to announce the details of the third edition, including brand new activities in Dresden with the Dresdner Philharmonie and in Helsinki with Lead Lab, making ICCR one of the most comprehensive career development program for young conductors (aged 23 to 30 years) in the world. Stretched out over a two-year period the competition will kick off with the live Selection Rounds (2 to 4 July 2027) and finish with the Finals (22 August to 3 September 2028) both taking place in de Doelen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
13 | 06 | 2025
The winners of the second International Conducting Competition Rotterdam has been announced! Luis Castillo-Briceño and Miguel Sepúlveda are awarded the Grand Prix tonight!
From 1 June to 13 June six designated winners presented themselves in five rounds with different prestigious orchestras and ensembles. Tonight all six conducted the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in de Doelen with a programme filled with grand symphonic works. The jury, including Deborah Borda, Han-na Chang and Vasily Petrenko just announced the prize winners.
DEADLINE 30 NOV 26
SELECTION ROUNDS 2-4 JUL 27
FINALS 22 AUG - 3 SEP 28
