The Vienna Fest Gala Competition is a unique musical event created to educate and inspire musicians from around the globe, helping them unlock their full artistic potential.
The Festival aims to enhance musical culture, promote appreciation of classical music, and implement innovative educational approaches for young talents aspiring to continue their musical journeys across various instruments.
It offers opportunities to connect with other dedicated young musicians, experience the great musical capitals of the world, and perform alongside world-renowned guest artists on prestigious international stages.
The Vienna Fest Gala Competition encourages creativity and self-expression, offering participants the chance to reach an international audience during the winners’ concert at the Ehrbarsaal in Vienna, one of the city’s most prestigious venues.
Connect with instrumentalists and families from around the world.
Perform at the Festival’s Gala Concert in the famous Ehrbarsaal — a venue where Brahms, Bruckner, and Mahler once performed.
Attend live performances by all first- and second-prize winners of the Vienna Fest Gala Competition.
Enjoy guided excursions to Salzburg, Eisenstadt, and Baden — including visits to Mozarthaus Museum, Haus der Musik, Esterházy Palace, Haydn’s Holographic Museum, and the Beethoven Museum.
Join walking tours of historic sites related to Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and other icons.
The Vienna Fest Gala welcomes music lovers of all ages to attend concerts and participate in excursions. Recognizing the importance of this opportunity for young instrumentalists and vocalists worldwide, our mission is to provide a platform for young musicians to showcase their talents on world-class concert stages – opening doors to artistic growth and self-expression.
5 – 7 years
8 – 9 years
10 – 11 years
12 – 13 years
14 – 15 years
16 – 18 years
19 and older
Applicants must submit a recorded performance of the complete music selection intended for the Vienna Fest Gala concert. The repertoire should come from the standard classical music canon — Baroque, Classical, Romantic, or Modern eras.
Note: A Sonata/Sonatina movement or another cyclic form (Suite, Prelude & Fugue, Concerto, etc.) counts as one selection. All solo pieces must be performed from memory (ensemble works excluded).
Solo instrumental and ensemble performances — such as piano four-hands, violin and piano duets, or chamber groups — are welcome.
Note: Only one piano is available in all concert halls. Selections should generally be under five minutes; longer works may incur additional fees.
Multiple entries from the same participant or ensemble are accepted. Teachers are encouraged to join ensemble performances (duets, trios, etc.).
Participants are encouraged to upload their pre-recorded performances to YouTube and provide a clickable link. Professionally produced recordings are not required — a simple smartphone or camera video is perfectly acceptable.
The Vienna Fest Gala 2026 is open to instrumentalists (solo or ensemble) and vocalists aged 5 and older.
Registration: To apply for the online audition, please register before March 20, 2026 using the link below.
Application Fee (due March 20, 2026):
Up to 5 minutes — €60
More than 10 minutes — €80
Selections longer than 11 minutes are not accepted.
Payments can be made via direct deposit or online through the official website.
All fees are non-refundable.
Registration for the live recital is possible only after receiving audition results (expected by March 27).
To register, please email viennagalafest@yahoo.com
Results will be emailed to all applicants by March 24, 2026.
Applications may be cancelled (without refunds) if:
Proof of payment is missing
Video links are incorrect or inaccessible
Overtime fees remain unpaid
Applications are incomplete
Additional information requests are not addressed by the deadline
Only the first submitted application will be adjudicated if only one fee is paid.
Gold Level Winners will be invited to perform at the Vienna Fest Gala Concert in the Ehrbarsaal, and will receive diplomas, medals, and trophies (where eligible).
Participants winning first awards, regardless of level, will also be invited to perform at Ehrbarsaal. Teachers of participating students will receive a Certificate of Excellence for their dedication and guidance.
