1.5.2026
9th Regensburg Composition Competition 2026
Renner Ensemble, Regensburg, Germany
The 9th edition of the Regensburg-based composition competition takes up the contemporary annual theme of the City of Regensburg’s Department of Culture for 2026: “Fingertip Sensitivity”.
The competition invites works and arrangements that relate to existing German folk songs, whose thematic fields are shaped by subtle moods, delicate emotions, and human encounters. In keeping with the annual theme, composers are encouraged to explore interpersonal relationships in musical terms: closeness and distance, understanding and misunderstanding, approach and farewell, longing, or familiarity.
Submissions may include
– new arrangements of existing folk songs,
– new compositions incorporating text or melodic fragments of a folk song, or
– entirely new works that move within a field of sensitivity, perception, and nuance.
The competition is open to composers of all ages who are willing to present their new works in Regensburg for their world premiere. Over the past eight editions, more than 500 new works have been submitted.
Requirements
– Ensemble: Renner Ensemble Regensburg (TTBB, optional divisi)
– Maximum duration: 5 minutes
Prizes
€1,500 – First Prize (sponsored by the City of Regensburg)
€1,000 – Second Prize (sponsored by REWAG Regensburg)
€1,000 – Third Prize (sponsored by the Regensburg Chamber Music Festival)
Submission deadline 1 May 2026