1.1. The 1st edition of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam (“ICCR”) will take place at De Doelen, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from 25 May until 3 June 2022.
1.2. The ICCR is organized by the ICCR Foundation. The Board of the Foundation is advised by the Artistic Advisory Committee.
1.3. The official language of ICCR is English. Basic understanding of the English language is required from the applicants.
1.4. ICCR is open to professional conductors of all nationalities who are at least 23 years and maximum 35 years of age at the start of the Selection Ronds (i.e. 1 June 2021).
1.5. ICCR strives to be an objective event and thus requires from all participants AND jury members to avoid conflicts of interests. ICCR should be notified during the application if the applicant has been taught on a regular basis by any of the jury members.
Though, it is understood that it is likely that members of the Jury may be acquainted with some participants in the competition because of past associations (for example previous competitions, music festivals, masterclasses, or enrolment at academic institutions).
1.6. ICCR consists of three phases:
a. Pre-selection based on pre-recorded material;
b. Selection Rounds (two rounds);
c. The competition (five rounds).
1.7. All decisions of the Jury, the Artistic Advisory Committee or the Board of ICCR Foundation shall be final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding its decisions.
2.1. Applications will be accepted until 01 July, 2020.
Anyone having trouble meeting the deadline because of the current covid-19 circumstances can contact the ICCR organisation to request a short extension.
2.2. Applications will need to be submitted online via www.muvac.com
2.3. For online application, applicants must complete their muvac profiles with the following information:
• Personal data: enter your personal data and upload your profile photo.
• Resumé: under “CV / Resumé” enter your full curriculum vitae.
• Required documents: under “Documents” please upload the following:
1. “Portrait photo”: Two recent, high-quality photographs in JPEG format. One ‘portrait’ and one ‘action photo’ (while conducting). These images should be suitable for publication and free of copyright
2. “ID or passport”: A scan of your passport or ID card
3. “Repertoire”: A list of repertoire, mentioning all performed and studied works
4. “Reference letter”: Two letters of recommendation, specifically written for participation in the ICCR.
Due to the current covid-19 situation an email recommendation suffices, directly sent to the ICCR organisation.
5. “Program proposal”: Four sample programmes, with a short explanation behind the concept and your personal motivation why you would like to perform these pieces:
• One free programme without restrictions,
• Two programmes for maximum orchestration 3333-4331-timp+2-hp-str + max 4 pp,
• One programme for maximum 2222-2200-timp+2-str + max 2pp
Videos: please upload your application video(s) to YouTube or Vimeo and add them to your muvac profile under “Videos”. For pre-selection we require three videos:
1. One short ‘selfie video’ (maximum 3 minutes) in which you introduce yourself and explain your reasons for being a conductor.
2. Two performance videos demonstrating performances of contrasting repertoire with an orchestra or large ensemble. Each video should apply to the following criteria:
• Recording of a rehearsal or concert
• 3 to 15 minutes in length. Videos may be shortened, but should not be edited in any other way.
• Showing you from the front (perspective from the orchestra)*
• Audio quality should be of acceptable quality
* because of the current covid-19 situation the ICCR allows videos from the applicants own archives, provided that these are not older than 2 years. The ICCR also allows videos shot from a different angle, i.e. side perspective, but only in case applicants will use archive material.
2.4. The Board of ICCR Foundation shall decide on the admission of participants to the International Selection Rounds in consultation with the Artistic Advisory Committee. If necessary additional information may be requested.
2.5. All applicants are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of 100 Euro upon applying.
3.1. The pre-selection round takes place between 1 August and 1 October 2020.
3.2. The pre-selection jury will consist of 6 jury members, including the jury members present for the Selection Round Phase.
3.3. The pre-selection is based on the provided materials of the applicants.
3.4. The pre-selection will have two phases:
1st Round
Every application will be reviewed by at least two jurors. Every Juror selects a maximum of 20 candidates based on a yes/no system, who proceed to the 2nd Round
2nd Round
Every juror reviews all selected candidates (maximum 120) and selects 24 candidates, based on a yes/no system. The 24 candidates with the most votes will proceed to the live Selection Round.
3.5 In case of equality of votes, a separate vote will be held for the tied participants.
3.6. The results of the pre-selection will be made public on 19 October 2020.
4.1. The Selection Rounds are scheduled to be held in Rotterdam on 1, 2, 3 and June 2021.
4.2. The Selection Rounds consist of two consecutive rounds:
a. SR Round 1 – With Sinfonia Rotterdam (1 & 2 June 2021)
b. SR Round 2 – With Sinfonia Rotterdam (3 June 2021)
4.3.
A maximum of 24 nominees will participate in Round 1.
A Maximum of 12 nominees will advance to Round 2.
4.4. The performance time for each of the selection rounds will have a set maximum duration of:
a. SR Round 1 – 25 minutes
b. SR Round 2 – 25 minutes
Nominees are expected to finish within the given timeframe.
4.5. The jury will be strict about the prescribed performance durations.
4.6. Repertoire Selection Round 1
• 25-minute performance time;
• Candidates are to prepare all prescribed works;
• Candidates are informed about which work they are required to work on right before entering the stage.
a. Beethoven – Symphony no. 2 in D major – I ‘Adagio molto – allegro con brio’
b. Mendelssohn – The hebrides
c. Haydn – Symphony no. 90 in C major Hob I:90 – I ‘Adagio – allegro assai’
4.7. Repertoire Selection Round 2
• 25-minute performance time;
• Candidates are to prepare all prescribed works;
• Candidates are informed about which work they are required to work on the day before the performance.
a. Stravinsky – Concerto in E flat ‘Dumbarton Oaks’ I Tempo Giusto
b. Stravinsky – Concerto in E flat ‘Dumbarton Oaks’ III Con moto
c. Mozart – Overture Don Giovanni KV527
d. Mozart – Overture Die Zauberflöte KV620
4.8. The selection rounds are structured as ‘open rehearsals’ during which participants are free to decide how they want to devote their time.
4.9. Nominees should be available for the whole period of the Selection Rounds (Arrival on May 31, departure on June 4). The exact date and time of performance will be announced shortly in advance.
4.10. Participants of the Selection Rounds must arrange and pay for their own travel. Accommodation in Rotterdam will be provided.
4.11. The Selection Rounds shall be held in public.
4.12. The Selection Jury shall decide on the admission of 6 winners designate to the Competition.
5.1. All rounds of ICCR will be held at De Doelen, Rotterdam. Except Round 1, which will take place in an outdoor location in Rotterdam (to be announced). The playing schedule is as follows:
a. Round 1 – with Sinfonia Rotterdam (25&26 May 2022)
b. Round 2 – with Doelen Ensemble (27&28 May 2022);
c. Round 3 – with Orchestra of the 18th Century (29&30 May 2022);
d. Round 4 – with Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (31 May & 1 June 2022);
e. Round 5 – with Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (2&3 June 2022).
5.2. Every round consists of two rehearsals and one concert, of which the first rehearsal will be closed for public and the second rehearsal and concert shall be held in public.
5.3. The performance time for rehearsals will have a set maximum duration of:
a. Round 1
Rehearsal 1 – 40 minutes
Rehearsal 2 – 20 minutes
b. Round 2
Rehearsal 1 – 40 minutes
Rehearsal 2 – 40 minutes
c. Round 3
Rehearsal 1 – 40 minutes
Rehearsal 2 – 40 minutes
d. Round 4
Rehearsal 1 – 40 minutes
Rehearsal 2 – 40 minutes
e. Round 5
Rehearsal 1 – 40 minutes
Rehearsal 2 – 40 minutes
Nominees are expected to finish within the give timeframe.
5.4. The performance time for the concert is limited to the duration of the prescribed work.
5.5. All 6 winners designate will perform during all five rounds. During every round only 4 conductors will be selected (after the second rehearsal) to perform during the evening concert.
5.6. Winners designate should be available for the whole period of the competition and are obliged to perform in every round.
5.7. The sequence of performance will be decided by one drawing of lots. The order also determines the repertoire that is to be performed. Deviation from the determined order can only be decided on by the chairman of the Jury and shall only be permitted in exceptional cases.
5.8. The jury will be strict about the prescribed performance durations.
6.1. General observations:
a. The set repertoire is compulsory for every participant;
b. The jury will determine the final selection of pieces to be performed by each participant, unless noted otherwise;
c. The selection of works for round 2, 3, 4 will be announced to participants on 1 September 2021;
d. The selection of repertoire for round 1 is free (given the set perimeters seen below), but will need to be confirmed by the jury;
e. The selection of repertoire for round 5 will be determined by the jury on 2 June 2022.
6.2. Round 1
Free choice of repertoire, bearing in mind it should:
• Be programmed for a maximum orchestration of 2.2.2.2.4.2.4.1 4per (str) and a maximum of three other instruments of ones own choice;
• Be accessible for a broad audience;
• include at least one work from an American composer of the early 20th century;
• have a duration not exceeding 20 minutes (including intervals).
6.3. Round 2
One of the following works:
a. Schoenberg – Kammersymphonie no. 1 opus 9 in E major
b. Unsuk Chin – Gougalon
c. Ligeti – Kammerkonzert
6.4. Round 3
A selection of three works, one from each category:
Category A
• Haydn – Symphony no. 59 in A major Hob 1:59– whole symphony
• Haydn – Symphony no. 55 in E flat major Hob 1:55– I ‘Allegro di molto’
• Haydn – Symphony no. 59 in A major Hob 1:59– I ‘Presto’
Category B
• Beethoven – Overture Coriolan opus 62
• Beethoven – Overture Fidelio opus 72
• Beethoven – Overture Egmont opus 82
Category C
• Schubert – Symphony No 8 in B minor D. 759 ‘Unfinished’ – I ‘Allegro moderato’
• Schubert – Symphony No 8 in B minor D. 759 ‘Unfinished’ – II ‘Andante con moto’
• Schubert – Symphony No 9 in C major D. 944 ‘The Great’– IV ‘Finale. Allegro vivace’
6.5. Round 4
One of the following sets of pieces from Bizet’s Carmen:
a. Selection 1
• Ouverture
• Carmen, sur tes pas
• Habanera
• Melons, coupons
• Quant au douanier
b. Selection 2
• Près des remparts de Séville
• Les tringles des sistres tintaient
• Nous avons en tête une affaire
• Entr’acte
• Les voici
6.6 Round 5
A selection of two works consisting of:
a. Obligatory work:
Joey Roukens – new commissioned work
b. AND one the following works:
• Tchaikovsky – Symphony No. 6 in B minor opus 74 (‘Pathetique’) – III ‘Allegro molto vivace ’& VI
‘Finale: Adagio lamentoso’
• Shostakovich – Symphony No. 5 in D minor opus 47 – I ‘Moderato’
• Mahler – Symphony No. 4 in G major – I ‘Bedächtig – nicht eilen-recht gemächlich’
6.8. Participants of the International Selection Rounds are not allowed to change their choice of repertoire for Round 1 after 31 January 2022.
6.9 Participants are required to cooperate with all media activities that ICCR provides, including interviews, photo-shoots and additional performances. All interviews will be held in English; basic knowledge of the English language is required.
ICCR distinguishes the following prizes:
7.1. Five specialist prizes, one for each of the competition rounds:
• A sum of 7,500 Euro
7.2. Grand Prix
• A sum of 15,000 Euro
7.3. Kersjes fonds Audience Award
• A sum of 10,000 Euro
7.4 Career Development Programme for all Prize Winners, including:
• Concert management services, with engagements around the globe;
• Mentorship, with coaching and training opportunities;
• Publicist services (website, cds, etc.)
7.5 Taxes shall be deducted from prizes in accordance with Dutch tax law in effect at the time of the Competition.
7.6 The Prize winners shall be obliged to fulfil the appearances attached to their prizes. Should a Prize winner remain in breach of this, he/she can lose his/her claim to prizes, awards and appearances; on such matters, the Board of ICCR Foundation shall decide.
7.7 Prize winners must, if requested, present a maximum of three events for the benefit of the Competition, for which ICCR Foundation shall pay no fee, but shall reimburse the costs of travel and accommodation.
8.1. The competitors will be assessed based on a ranking system.
8.2. The Ranking system works as follows:
• At the end of each round, the members of the Jury will judge the competitors by ranking them with numbers (from 1 to 6).
• Each member of the Jury gives one mark per candidate for the total performance (rehearsals and concert) in the round concerned.
• It is allowed to rank multiple candidates on the same position (in other words, more than one candidate can rank as No. 1)
• The ranking of all jury members will be converted to a total average ranking by computer;
8.3. The jury of the final five rounds of ICCR will consist of three parts:
• The core jury of three members. They will be present for the whole duration of the competition;
• The specialist jury of three to four members. They will present for a single (or in some
cases two) round(s) of the competition;
• The orchestra, one representative of the ensemble performing in that particular round.
8.4. The average ranking of the complete jury (part a, b & c) will determine one winner for each round.
8.5. The Grand prix winner will be determined by the average ranking of all judges of the whole competition.
8.6. Every jury member is always required to attend all sessions (rehearsals and concert) of a single round.
8.7. The jury will need to award all prizes. The sharing of a prize is not possible.
8.8. Should a participant be a regular student of one of the members of the jury, the
latter will refrain from the jury voting in respect to such a participant.
8.9 Persons related to any Jury member either by direct line or as an in-law to the third degree are excluded from taking part in the Competition.
8.10. Participants shall not communicate with jury members for as long as they take part in ICCR, nor shall any other person communicate with the jury members on behalf of any participant. Violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification from the Competition.
9.1. ICCR will supply the following to all six designate winners:
a. Reimbursement of pre-agreed reasonable economy travel expenses to and from The Netherlands with a maximum of 1.000 Euro (proposed travel arrangements should be discussed with ICCR timely in advance);
b. Free accommodation for the duration of the competition (from 24 May till 4 June 2022);
c. All local transport;
9.2. Accompanying individuals including family members must make their own travel and or accommodation arrangements.
10.1. ICCR accepts no liability of any kind whatsoever for any personal illness or injury sustained by the participant, nor for loss or damage to a competitor’s belongings during transit or while at the Competition. Medical costs, of whatever nature, will not be reimbursed by ICCR.
10.2. Obtaining appropriate travel documents, visa and insurance is the sole responsibility of each competitor.
10.3. Host families shall not be held responsible for accidents or damage of any kind which may befall the participants, with the exception of those accidents that fall under third party insurance.
10.4. Participants must be free of professional obligations during the entire Competition period.
10.5 All communication between ICCR and the participants will be directly, without interference of any third parties or artist managements.
11.1. By submitting the online application form, applicants state their agreement:
a. with all articles in the Rules & Regulations;
b. with all ensuing engagements as part of any prize;
c. that all concert and recording engagements obtained by the Competition or its designates as part of the prizes will not be subject to any fee or commission payable to the prize-winner’s current or future rtist management;
d. that ICCR is authorized to record, videotape, film, broadcast, and/or photograph any Competition concerts or events for any purpose, without payment of any fee. All rights, including copyright in such media shall vest in and be solely owned by ICCR Foundation in perpetuity.
e. that ICCR is authorized to collect, store and use their contact details for purposes connected to the competition and future activities of ICCR. No commercial third party will receive these contact details.
All rights reserved; dates and locations subject to change.
1 – 13 June 2025
