THE 3rd INTERNATIONAL CONDUCTING COMPETITIONOFFICIAL RULES, REGULATIONS, AND STRUCTURAL FRAMEWORKFOUNDERSCapital Symphony OrchestraVladimir Gorbik, Founder, CEO, Music Director, and Principal ConductorPHILANTHROPISTS The primary benefactors and philanthropists supporting
the orchestra, the Competition, and all associated creative initiatives are Svetlana Gorbik (Executive Producer) and Maestro Vladimir Gorbik, parents of ten children.
Maestro Vladimir Gorbik
- Founder, CEO, and Music Director of Capital Symphony Orchestra
- Recording Academy GRAMMY® Award Nominee
- Recording Academy GRAMMY® Award Voting Member
- Member of the International Union of Musical Personalities
- Associate Professor, Department of Symphonic and Choral Conducting at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory
PARTNERS AND SPONSORSForma Ugla Joint-Stock Company (Russia)
RosCargo Transport and Logistics Company (Kyrgyzstan – Russia, China, CIS)
International Union of Musical Artists (Russia)
West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (USA)
Music of Continents concert agency (New York City)
International Conductors Association (USA)
Nazareth University (Rochester, New York, USA)
West Virginia University (USA)
Sydney Conservatorium of Music (Australia)
State Conservatory of Uzbekistan
Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory
MEDIA PARTNERSOrpheus Radio
Muzikalnye Sezony (Musical Seasons) Web Portal
JURY CHAIRDr. Scott E. Woodard (USA) – Professor at West Virginia University; Artistic Director and Conductor Laureate of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra; Music Director and Conductor of the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra; Board Member of the International Conductors Association.
JURY MEMBERSAlexey Maximovich Rudnevsky – Professor and Dean
of the Department of Symphonic and Choral Conducting
at the Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory; Conductor
of the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra.
Dr. Raul Munguia (USA) – Associate Professor and Director
of Orchestral Activities at Nazareth University (New York).
Ottavio Terreni (Italy) – Music Director and Principal Conductor
of the Virtuosi di Firenze Symphony Orchestra; Professor
at the Academy of Opera.
Benjamin Northey (Australia) – Guest Professor at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
Natalia Raspopova (Australia) – Artistic Director and Chief Conductor of the Sydney Youth Christian Symphony Orchestra.
Filipe Cunha (Portugal) – Music Director and Principal Conductor
of the Braga Philharmonic Orchestra.
Dušan Urošević (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – Music Director
and Chief Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska.
Gairat Shavkatovich Abrarov (Uzbekistan) – Chair of the Department of Opera and Orchestral Conducting at the State Conservatory
of Uzbekistan.
COMPETITION VENUE AND DATESThe Competition consists of three rounds, held from November 15, 2026, to January 24, 2027, at the Irina Arkhipova Concert Hall (Central Moscow, adjacent to the Moscow Conservatory).
The Competition is an annual event.
Address: 14 Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street, Moscow.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVESTo preserve and advance the traditions of orchestral conducting
and symphonic performance.
To provide conductors with essential, hands-on experience
in orchestral rehearsal techniques and leadership.
FINANCIAL TERMS AND FEESApplication Fee: In alignment with international competition standards across Europe and the United States, this Competition requires
an entry fee. However, the fee has been set significantly lower than standard Western rates.
Registration: Click the "Purchase" button to complete your registration
and secure your entry.
Financial Aid / Tuition Waivers: In exceptional circumstances,
if the Organizing Committee identifies extraordinary conducting talent but the applicant demonstrates genuine financial hardship,
the Organizer may, at its sole discretion, grant a full tuition waiver.
Travel Expenses: The Organizing Committee does not cover travel, lodging, or per diem expenses.
ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION REQUIREMENTSThe Competition is open to conductors and church choir directors
of all ages and nationalities, including:
Practicing church choir directors seeking to refine their orchestral conducting technique.
Current students and alumni of higher music education institutions (conservatories, universities, and music schools) across all departments.
Professional conductors holding a degree in Opera and Orchestral Conducting.
Practicing conductors without a formal degree in Opera
and Orchestral Conducting.
Application Process:
Applications may be submitted directly through this website or via WhatsApp, Telegram, or Max Messages by messaging Capital Symphony Orchestra's official line at
+7 (926) 558-92-66.Please include your full name in the message. An Organizing Committee representative will contact you shortly.Video Submission: Applicants must submit a video link via email to csorchestra@mail.ru. Videos must be hosted on YouTube, RuTube, Yandex Disk, or Google Drive.
Video Recording Requirements:
Orchestral Conducting: A full or excerpted performance
of a symphonic work with a live orchestra, captured in a continuous single-camera shot during a rehearsal or concert.
Total duration: 3 to 10 minutes.
The Organizing Committee fully recognizes the challenges of securing a live symphony orchestra for rehearsal and video recording in the current climate. In our commitment to supporting applicants, we officially accept video submissions of contestants conducting to an audio backing track or playback source from YouTube, VKontakte, or any other online platform. Because the Jury’s primary focus is evaluating the contestant's manual technique and musicality, these eligibility requirements have been adapted to ensure the Competition remains accessible to all aspiring participants.- Video Recording of Your Conducting from a Rehearsal
with Capital Symphony OrchestraApplicants who do not have an existing video recording may request an official recording session. To arrange a live video recording
with Capital Symphony Orchestra during a scheduled rehearsal, please contact the Organizing Committee via the official website, WhatsApp, Telegram, or Max Messages, or submit an application directly to the Orchestral Practice Department
at
+7 (926) 558-92-66.Alternative Registration: Applications may also be submitted via VKontakte directly to the personal page of the Competition Founder, Vladimir Gorbik.
Media Production: The official production crew will capture the session to professional standards and provide the participant with a high-quality video file authorized for use in this and future competitions.
Application Deadline: Requests for live recording sessions
must be submitted no later than November 5, 2026.
CONTESTANT REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIAThe Jury will evaluate contestants based on the following criteria:
Musicianship and artistic expression.
Knowledge of the score (performance from memory is highly encouraged).
Ability to maintain clear eye contact with the orchestral musicians.
Mastery of standard baton technique.
Clear execution of the musical structure from the score.
COMPETITION STRUCTURE AND PROCEEDINGSRound I: November 15, 2026Eligibility: Participation is open to contestants who have successfully passed the preliminary video screening, or who have actively participated in Vladimir Gorbik’s monthly conducting masterclasses under Capital Symphony Orchestra’s specialized "Orchestral Practice" program.
Repertoire and Rehearsal Format: Each contestant must select one movement from Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 (Trauer) in advance
and formally notify the Organizing Committee. Contestants will lead
a 15-minute rehearsal session with the live orchestra, focusing
on a detailed exploration of interpretation, tempo transitions,
and articulation.
- Video Recording of Your Conducting with a Local Orchestra
For contestants facing travel or logistical restrictions to Moscow, the Organizing Committee accepts a 10-minute video recording of a rehearsal featuring the required Haydn movement, conducted with the applicant's local regional orchestra.- Video Recording of Your Conducting with Two Collaborative Pianists
Recognizing that securing a local orchestra may be unfeasible due to performance schedules, the Organizer offers an exclusive alternative: applicants may submit a 10-minute video recording conducting the selected Haydn movement at two pianos with two collaborative pianists.Round II: December 13, 2026Format: Each advancing participant will lead a 20-minute session with the orchestra, encompassing a detailed rehearsal and a complete, uninterrupted performance from beginning to end of any single movement from Mozart’s Symphony No. 33.
- Video Recording of Your Rehearsal with Two Collaborative Pianists
For participants who find it difficult to travel to Moscow, the Organizer offers an exceptional alternative: contestants may submit a 20‑minute video recording of their work with two collaborative pianists.Round III: January 24, 2027Format: A maximum of four (4) finalists will advance to Round III. To prepare for the Final Gala Concert, each finalist will be allocated a 45-minute podium session during each of the three scheduled orchestral rehearsals.
Repertoire Allocation: Finalists will conduct two movements from either Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 or Mozart’s Symphony No. 33, as determined by a random drawing of lots. Finalists will perform with the live orchestra at the final concert on January 24, 2027, at the Irina Arkhipova Concert Hall.
Scheduling and Administration of Drawings:
Notification of Advancement: The Organizing Committee will notify all applicants who have advanced to Round I no later than November 5, 2026.
Order of Appearance: The performance order for Round I will be determined by a random drawing held at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the start of the performances. This established order will remain effective through the conclusion of Round III.
Initial Drawing: The drawing for Round I appearance order will take place immediately following the official Opening Ceremony of the Competition.
Public Access: All competition rounds are open to the general public.
Program Revisions: Following participant registration and the official drawing of lots, modifications to a contestant’s selected program are strictly prohibited, except under extraordinary circumstances and subject to the express approval of the Jury.
JURY POLICIES AND ADJUDICATION PROCEDURESAppointment and Absolute Authority: The international Jury is appointed by the Organizing Committee. All decisions rendered by the Jury are final, legally binding, incontestable, and not subject to appeal, review, or public dispute.
Performance Control and Disqualification: The Jury retains the absolute right to abbreviate a presentation or terminate a contestant’s performance at any point during the evaluations. Non-compliance with the official Competition Rules and Regulations may result in immediate disqualification from the Competition by joint decision of the Jury and the Organizing Committee.
Remote Adjudication Infrastructure: A dedicated live broadcast of all three rounds will be provided for the Jury Chair and Jury Members who are unable to attend the live proceedings in person. Additionally, the Organizing Committee will transmit links to the complete video archives of all three rounds hosted on YouTube.
Independent Evaluation Process: To guarantee absolute impartiality, Jury members will review the full video records independently and submit their scores via email, ensuring a strictly blind, autonomous scoring process free from peer influence.
Credential Authentication: Jury members will officially execute digital copies of the Grand Prix, First Prize, Second Prize, and Third Prize certificates via a PDF editor, returning the signed credentials to the Organizing Committee via email.
AWARD DISCRETION AND GUIDELINESDistribution Rights: The Jury reserves the right to withhold any of the announced prizes if performance standards are not met, or to divide any award among Round III finalists, with the sole exception of the First Prize, which remains indivisible and cannot be split.
Laureate Status and Diplomas of Merit: Contestants awarded the Grand Prix, First, Second, or Third Prize will receive formal Diplomas and will be officially conferred the title of Laureate. Finalists who do not place within these primary categories may, subject to the consensus of the Jury, be awarded an honorary Diploma of Merit (Diplomant).
Auxiliary and Sponsored Prizes: Third-party state, corporate, public, or creative organizations of the Russian Federation may establish non-monetary special awards in consultation with the Organizing Committee. These auxiliary prizes must be officially vetted, finalized, and approved by the Organizing Committee no later than the opening date of the Competition.
OFFICIAL AWARDS AND LAUREATE PERFORMANCE ENGAGEMENTSThe Organizing Committee of the International Competition announces the following performance-based, non-monetary awards for Laureates:
Grand Prix: Conferment of the title of Laureate along with the prestigious engagement to conduct Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Symphony No. 33 during the second half of the Winners' Gala Concert.
First Prize: Conferment of the title of Laureate along with the prestigious engagement to conduct the first and second movements of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 during the first half of the Winners' Gala Concert.
Second Prize: Conferment of the title of Laureate along with the prestigious engagement to conduct the fourth movement of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 to conclude the first half of the Winners' Gala Concert.
Third Prize: Conferment of the title of Laureate along with the prestigious engagement to conduct the third movement of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 44 during the mid-section of the first half of the Winners' Gala Concert.
Additional Institutional Support: All designated Competition Laureates will receive professional collaboration opportunities with Capital Symphony Orchestra in Moscow and official partner orchestras across the United States of America.
Round II Recognition: Contestants advancing to Round II but not placing in Round III will be awarded formal certificates of merit ("For Participation in Round II") along with their respective orchestral rehearsal video records.
Round I Recognition: All candidates participating in the live auditions of Round I will receive formal certificates of merit ("For Participation in Round I") along with their recorded video media.
WINNERS' GALA CONCERTThe official Winners' Gala Concert featuring the Grand Prix, First, Second, and Third Prize Laureates will take place on January 24, 2027.
Featured Repertoire:
Franz Joseph Haydn: Symphony No. 44 in E minor (Trauer)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony No. 33 in B-flat major (KV 319)
SPECIAL TERMS AND LEGAL CONDITIONSPerformance Compensation: Participants will receive no monetary fees, honorariums, or royalties for their performances within the Competition, nor for any subsequent commercial or non-commercial exploitation, broadcasting, or distribution of recordings derived from these performances.
Media and Broadcasting Rights: The Competition Organizer retains all exclusive global rights to broadcast the preliminary auditions, rounds, and the final Gala Concert via radio, television, and the internet. The Organizer holds the sole copyright to all audio and video recordings produced during the Competition and maintains unrestricted distribution rights without any further compensation to the participants.
Laureate Performance Obligations: All designated Competition Laureates are legally obligated to perform at the final Winners' Gala Concert free of charge.
Official Information Sources: All data, terms, and materials published on the official website of the 3rd International Conducting Competition (mdkcco.com) are authoritative as of their respective publication dates. The domain mdkcco serves as the official acronym representing the International Conducting Competition – Capital Symphony Orchestra.
Exclusivity of Commitment: Throughout the active duration of the Competition, participants must remain free from any conflicting professional, contractual, or personal obligations that could impede, delay, or prevent their full attendance and participation in strict accordance with the approved Competition Schedule and drawing results.
Mandatory Attendance: All contestants who receive an official invitation to Round I are strictly required to attend the formal registration and the drawing of lots in accordance with the approved Competition Schedule. Failure to appear for registration or drawing procedures without prior written authorization will result in immediate disqualification.
Withdrawal Protocols: Official notices of withdrawal following the receipt of a Round I invitation must be submitted exclusively in writing via Capital Symphony Orchestra’s official email address: csorchestra@mail.ru.
Alternates and Cut-Off Adjustments: If an invited Round I contestant submits an official written withdrawal, the Jury Chair and Jury Members reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to admit the highest-ranked applicant positioned immediately below the initial selection cut-off. This administrative replacement will be determined by a simple majority vote of the Jury.
Lottery Substitutions: Substitutions within the established drawing order are permitted only under extraordinary, documented circumstances and require the express written authorization of the Competition Organizer.
COMPETITION OVERVIEW AND EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIPThe 3rd International Conducting Competition is a premier annual event established in 2025 and produced by Capital Symphony Orchestra in Moscow. The central mission of the Competition is to identify, support, and advance exceptional international conducting talent. Through professional collaboration with Capital Symphony Orchestra during the preliminary stages, the Competition serves as a launchpad, enabling visionary conductors to advance their careers and secure guest conducting engagements with professional orchestras across multiple continents.
Orchestral Engagement Policies:
Capital Symphony Orchestra leverages its extensive musical expertise to deliver world-class collaborative support to all contestants, accommodating both emerging conductors expanding their technical proficiency and seasoned professionals with significant orchestral leadership experience. The Managing Director guarantees that every participant will receive the same elite level of responsive musicianship, technical precision, and artistic commitment from the ensemble that he demands for his own performances.
The Organizing Committee and Artistic Leadership are fully committed to providing the infrastructure necessary for qualified participants to advance from the competition stages to professional, high-profile conducting engagements with Capital Symphony Orchestra in Moscow, as well as our designated international partner and sponsor orchestras worldwide.CONTACT INFORMATIONOfficial Website: https://ccog.ruOfficial Mobile Inquiries (WhatsApp, Telegram, and Max Messages Only – Voice Calls Restrictions Apply): +7 (926) 558-92-66YouTube: https://youtube.com/@vladimirgorbikorchestra?si=yn9Li9u1cWlZda9D