Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition (PICC 2026)

The competition is open to conductors of all nationalities, with no upper age limit and no requirement for a formal conducting diploma.

PICC 2026 consists of three steps:

Step 1 – Application
Applications open 15 December 2025 and close 15 February 2026.

Step 2 – Global Pre-Selection (GPS)
Applicants take part in the Global Pre-Selection via live auditions in 15 cities worldwide or, when eligible, through the Global Video Submission (GVS) option. Following all GPS/GVS auditions, up to 144 conductors are invited to Step 3.

Step 3 – Preliminary Round Bled (PRB)
The 144 selected conductors participate in the Preliminary Round in Bled (two-piano format) and attend the three-day Career Development Conference from 7–9 November 2026 at Festival Hall Bled. Five Orchestral Rounds are held from November 10–14, 2026.

PICC 2026 awards $75,000 in prize money, including a $50,000 Grand Prize, as well as guest engagements and assistant invitations.

www.pehlivaniancompetition.com