Musical Competition

The Società Umanitaria boasts a long musical tradition dating back to 1911, when it founded the Teatro del Popolo with the aim of bringing the finest artistic performances to workers and the less affluent classes, thereby combating the injustice of cultural privilege.

Since the 1980s, the Institution’s musical activities have taken on a significant educational and formative dimension, involving an increasing number of young Italian and international musicians in its seasonal programmes. It was in this context that the Società Umanitaria Musical Competition was established, with its first regional edition held in 1989 and involving exclusively the Conservatories of Lombardy. Within a short time, the Competition was extended to the entire Country, eventually encompassing all Italian Conservatories.

In 2009, the Competition has expanded beyond national borders, exporting what has become an established model for the selection and promotion of young musical talent.

The Competition’s original format has remained unchanged: participation is open to all students, regardless of age, course of study or instrument. The Jury focuses on identify the true and complete musician, rewarding interpretative ability and artistic maturity rather than mere technical proficiency. Thus, at Società Umanitaria, young musicians – whether soloists or members of chamber ensembles – can compete exclusively on the basis of their musicianship, without being judged according to the specific technical skills associated with their instrument.

The Competition also provides an opportunity for young music students to gather in Milan and, through a fruitful exchange of information and experiences, to assess their preparation and engage with peers from different educational backgrounds and musical institutions.

30th Musical Competition – 9th International Edition

Rules of the competition

• The Società Umanitaria of Milano will hold a competition for students from the Institution listed below.
• This competition is intended for regular students enrolled in the 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 Academic Year.
• Each country is represented by two institutions.
• Each of them may select up to 5 candidates maximum, both soloists and/or chamber ensemble with a maximum of 4 members.
• The Institutes of those countries where there is only one Higher Music Education Academy, may select up to 10 candidates.
• A special invitation to take part in the Competition will be issued to the winners of the Chicago International Music Competition, USA.
• The competition is open to all kind of instruments.
• An application form for each candidate must be completed and submitted by the Academy’s administration by January 22, 2027

Programme

• The candidate’s programme is free, with the exception of transcriptions of compositions for soloist and orchestra not included in the usual performance practice of a recital (for example Concerti for soloists and orchestra).
• The candidate’s programme cannot be changed after the submission of the entry application.
• The performance duration must be at least 40 minutes and not exceed 50 minutes.

Rounds

The competition is divided into a Preliminary, Semi-final and a Final round.

• For the Semi Final and Final round, the Società Umanitaria will provide the piano, the harpsichord and the harp.
• Società Umanitaria provides the service of piano accompanists. Whoever intends to make use of this service is kindly asked to specifically mention it in the application.
• A copy of the score for the accompanist must be provided by the candidate.
• Rehearsals with provided piano accompanists and rehearsals to test the acoustic of the audition venue will take place in the two days leading up to the Semi-finals, in accordance with the schedule that will be issued by the Società Umanitaria.
• Candidates requiring accommodation during the Competition must indicate this in their application. Upon request, Società Umanitaria may provide or arrange accommodation, including guesthouses or host families, according to availability and at its sole discretion.

PRELIMINARY ROUND – Application by January 22, 2027

The Preliminary round will be completely online.

Each candidate must submit two videos:

• a self-presentation video, with a maximum duration of two minutes;
• a performance video, with a duration between 18 and 22 minutes.

The performance video will contain parts, at the candidate’s choice, of the presented programme in the application form. Preferably, the video should not contain only one piece but a selection of excerpts from the whole programme.
For information on how to record the videos, please refer to the video shooting guidelines. 

SEMI-FINAL ROUND – April 25-26-27, 2027

The Semi-final round will be in presence at the Società Umanitaria

No more than 30 contestants will be admitted to the Semi-final round.
During this round, candidates are required to perform a selection from their competition programme.
Candidates’ performance times will be indicated in the schedule set by the Società Umanitaria.
These will be sent via e-mail and published on the website on or before February 26, 2027

FINAL ROUND – April 28-29, 2027

The Final round will be in presence at the Società Umanitaria

No more than 10 candidates will be selected for the Final round.
During this round, candidates are required to perform the entire competition programme presented in the application according to the schedule set by the Jury.

JURY

The Jury will consist of prominent international musicians.

PRIZES

• First prize euro 7.000,00
• Second prize euro 5.000,00
• Third prize euro 3.000,00
• Concerts offered by the Società Umanitaria in its Concert Season.

The three winners will perform a recital at the Award Ceremony on April 29, 2027 at 8.00 p.m. in the Sala Verdi of the Conservatory of Milan.
The winners’ recital will be recorded and released on-line by the Società Umanitaria. Prize are contingent on the winning contestant’s participation in the winners’ concert and recording. Failure to participate will result in the forfeiting of prize money.