1. Eligibility

• Open to composers of all ages and nationalities.
• Each participant may submit one composition.

2. Instrumentation

• Solo cello

3. Duration

• Works must be between minimum 4 minutes and maximum 10 minutes in length.

4. Submission Requirements

Each submission must include:

• Full score/Cello part (PDF format)
• Short artistic description of the work (max. 200 words)
• Composer biography (max. 200 words)
• Audio mock-up or recording (optional, but recommended)

The composition must be:

• Original, unpublished, and not previously premiered publicly.
• Written within the last 3 years

5. Application Fee

• A non-refundable fee of €80 must be paid at the time of submission.
  Entries without payment will not be considered.

6. Deadline

• Submission deadline: 1 May 2026.
• Results will be announced by 23 May 2026.

7. Jury

The works will be adjudicated by:

• Three internationally recognized composers
• Two international solo cellists from the Celloworld Festival faculty

The decisions of the jury are final.

8. Prizes

• First prize: €1000
• Second prize: €750
• Special prize of €500 awarded to the best work submitted by a composer who is an Austrian citizen or living/working professionally in Austria.
• World premiere performance in Vienna during the Celloworld Festival 2026 (first-, second- and special prize winners)
• Professional audio/video recording of the premiere performances
• Publicity and promotion through Festival media channels

The Jury reserves the right:

• Not to award a prize,
• To award honourable mentions.

9. Performance & Rights

• The winning composer agrees to provide all required performance materials at no additional cost.
• The composer retains copyright.
• Winners will be invited to attend in person when their works are premiered. However, travel and accommodation expenses will not be covered by the Celloworld Festival. Should the winner not be able to receive their prize in person, it will be endeavored to announce the winner through online streaming.
• The Celloworld Festival reserves the right to:
  • Record, photograph, and broadcast the performance
  • Use all media freely for non-commercial publicity purposes

10. Submission Method

www.celloworl-festival.com

11. Festival Information

• The winning work will be performed during the Celloworld Festival in Vienna, 17–23 August 2026.
• Venue and performance date will be announced later.

12. Support

This competition is supported by the
Gesellschaft zur Förderung Österreichischer Musik (GFÖM) GmbH