International Flute Competition of the German Flute Society 2026
The aim of this competition is to give young flute players the opportunity to showcase their skills on an international platform, compete with peers of their own age, develop their individual strengths and present themselves. Through differentiated international jury feedback, participants receive support in improving the quality of their performance, thereby enhancing their chances in international competition.
The competition will be held in two rounds:
- 1. round: ONLINE
- 2. round: In PRESENCE
(as part of the International Flute Festival at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen).
Category 1 – Young Talents – Round 1 (online)
Children, teenagers and young adults who have not yet begun professional music training. They are divided into three age groups (cut-off date in each case being 31 May 2026):
- Age-group I: until 13 years (incl.) and younger | Duration of the lecture 5 – 10 min
- Age-group II: 14-16 years | Duration of the lecture 10 – 15 min
- Age-group III: 17-19 years (not yet enrolled as bachelor) | Duration of the lecture 10 – 15 min
Competition programme
The competition programme consists of the compulsory piece and one or more works or movements from another era within the required playing time. Arrangements for solo flute are permitted. Individual works may be presented in separate videos or in a single video; individual works or movements may not be edited. Recordings must not be older than 6 months. To participate, please send video clips to https://dgfff.wetransfer.com.
Compulsory pieces
Age-group I – P. Hindemith: from the Acht Stücke für Flöte solo: Nr. 1
Age-group II – G. Ph. Telemann: Fantasie Nr. 2 a-Moll
Age-group III – G. Ph. Telemann: Fantasie Nr. 6 d-Moll
(plus one additional work of your choice for solo flute)
Category 2 – Professionals – Round 1 (online)
For Bachelor's students majoring in flute up to the age of 24 (deadline 31 May 2026). The presentation should last between 15 and 25 minutes.
Competition programme
The competition programme consists of a compulsory piece and one or more works or movements from another era within the required playing time. Arrangements for solo flute are permitted. Individual works may be presented in separate videos or in a single video; individual works or movements may not be edited. Recordings must not be older than 6 months. To participate, please send video clips to https://dgfff.wetransfer.com.
Compulsory piece
L. Berio: Sequenza or alternativ: Volodymyr Runchak: Homo ludens I for Flute solo. (Download of the score here ›››)
(plus one or two additional works of your choice from different eras)
Category 3 – Amateur 25+ – Round 1 (online)
Aged 25 and over (cut-off date 31 May 2026) without professional training. The presentation should last between 15 and 25 minutes.
Competition programme
The competition programme consists of the compulsory pieces and one or more works or movements from another era within the required playing time. Arrangements for solo flute are permitted. Individual works may be presented in separate videos or in a single video; individual works or movements may not be edited. Recordings must not be older than 6 months. To participate, please send video clips to https://dgfff.wetransfer.com.
Compulsory piece
S. Karg-Elert: Caprice Nr. 2
(plus one additional piece of your choice for solo flute or flute duo (e.g. flute + piano or similar))
Registration
The following are required for registration:
- Complete the online registration form until 15 May 2026 latest.
- Payment of the registration fee: €70 exclusively via PayPal to: pay@floete.net
(Please indicate «DGfF Flute Competition 2026 + name of participant» as the payment reference). Payments that cannot be allocated will not be considered.
Video upload for round 1
- Videos must be uploaded by 1 June 2026 at the latest.
- The videos must be labelled with the name of the player(s).
- Individual works may be presented in separate videos or in a single video; individual works or movements may not be edited.
- The clips must not be more than 6 months old.
- Participation is by submitting video clips to https://dgfff.wetransfer.com.
Found 2 – Finale
The second round will be held live as part of the International Flute Festival 2026 at the Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen (24–27 September 2026). Participants will play the complete programme from the first round (amateurs aged 25+ may bring their own piano accompanist).
Prices
- Cash and non-cash prizes
- Presentation in the magazine «floete-aktuell»
- Recitals at DGfF festivals
