The International Conducting Competition Rotterdam 2025 offers talented conductors the opportunity to work with several top orchestras, including the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Klangforum Wien, Sinfonia Rotterdam and Laurens Symphony Chorus. The competition comprises five separate rounds with various themes, ranging from classical to contemporary, from opera to great symphonic works. This gives the participants a unique opportunity to display their expertise.

Jury
The international jury will consist of a fixed core extended with rotating specialists for each round. The jury of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam 2025 edition will include more than 30 members, including conductors Iván Fischer, Lahav Shani, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, musicians Roberta Alexander and Christina Pluhar, managers Deborah Borda (CEO New York Philharmonic) and Ulrike Niehoff (artistic director Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra).

A prize will be awarded to the best specialist per round. In addition, one conductor will receive the Grand Prix for the best all-rounder. Total prize money is € 70.000.  As part of the prize, the winners will receive a career development programme, which takes place between the live audition and the competition and consists of two academy weeks, various workshops, coaching and PR support.

Applications
The International Conducting Competition Rotterdam 2025 is open to professional conductors of all nationalities who are at least 23 years and maximum 30 years of age. After an online video selection round, 24 conductors will be invited to the semi-finals with Sinfonia Rotterdam. At the end of these rounds, six contestants will be selected to the finals in 2025.