European Union of Music Competitions for Youth


The European Union of Music Competitions for Youth is a Europe-wide network collaborating globally, encompassing national and international music competitions for young people. Since its foundation in Brussels in 1970, EMCY develops, coordinates, and maintains a system of music competitions that serve to promote and inspire young musicians. Since its foundation in 1970, EMCY stands for musical excellence, promoting the youth and European cooperation. In order to develop the musical education of young Europeans, EMCY arranges concerts, broadcasts, tours, award ceremonies, master classes and courses for competition prize winners throughout Europe.
EMCY is established to foster youth cultural cooperation, intercultural dialogue, culture for peace, the development of young musical talents, the implementation of, and transparency in national and international music competitions for youth.
The activities of EMCY are guided by the fundamental values of humanity as defined in Article 2 of the EU Treaty of Lisbon, the United Nations Charter, and the Constitution of UNESCO.
EMCY supports multilateral and multicultural cooperation, democratic principles of human dignity, fundamental human values and justice, democracy, equality, mutual respect, the rule of law, basic human rights, environmental sustainability, and the pursuit of peace. EMCY remains committed to these values and supports its members in fully and comprehensively implementing them. Furthermore, EMCY is open to promoting and upholding additional values and initiatives that align with its mission and vision.
Guided by EMCY’s core values and commitment to music education and practice, EMCY collaborates with organizations worldwide that share similar values. EMCY promotes integrity through, supporting both established competitions and new initiatives that strive for excellence and impact. EMCY and its members work together to engage a wide range of youth audiences through a variety of projects aimed at improving music education and disseminating music to young people worldwide.
EMCY is a non-profit organization registered under German Law in Munich. It is governed by an international board elected by the General Assembly.
WWW emcy.org

EMCY board

The is elected every four years at the general assembly. Current members are:

EMCY office

EMCY’s registered seat is in Munich, Germany. The association is registered under German law. EMCY maintains an administrative office in Vilnius, Lithuania.

General assembly

The EMCY general assembly gathers, in general, every two years in a different European country at the invitation of an EMCY member competition.
General assemblies have been held in :

Member competitions

National competitions

Participation in these competitions is usually reserved for nationals or residents of the respective country. This often includes schools abroad, students at conservatoires or ex-patriates, however.
  • Österreichischer Jugendmusikwettbewerb prima la musica in Austria
  • podium.jazz.pop.rock... in Austria
  • The Papandopulo Croatian Competition of young musicians in Croatia
  • National Radio Competition of the Czech Republic 'Concertino Praga' in the Czech Republic
  • Oresund Soloist in Denmark / Sweden
  • Concours d'excellence – Confédération Musicale de France in France
  • Jugend musiziert in Germany
  • National Balys Dvarionas Piano and String Competition in Lithuania
  • Concours Luxembourgoise pour Jeunes Solistes in Luxembourg
  • Competition of the United Music and Dance Teacher of Macedonia in Macedonia
  • Netherlands Violin Competition in the Netherlands
  • Ungdommens Musikkmesterskap in Norway
  • Prémio Jovens Músicos in Portugal
  • EMCY Slovakia in Slovakia
  • TEMSIG – Slovenian Music Competition for Youth in Slovenia
  • Concurso Juventudes Musicales in Spain
  • SJMW Classica in Switzerland
  • SJMW Jazz&Pop in Switzerland

International competitions

These competitions are open to participants from all over the world. Many include categories which change every year.

Projects

EMCY works to help prize winners in their musical and personal development. Performance and training opportunities throughout Europe are arranged by EMCY, together with its member competitions and partners. These concerts, tours, workshops, and master classes are international meeting points for young musicians.
EMCY also holds conferences for competition organisers and music educators on particular themes.