Overview
The 1st WASBE International Conductors Competition will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 21 to July 25, 2026, as part of the WASBE 2026 International Conference. This inaugural competition represents a significant milestone in WASBE’s mission to support and elevate emerging conducting talent in the field of wind bands and ensembles across the globe.
​
To learn more about the Conference, visit www.wasbe2026.com.
​
Closing Date: November 1, 2025
​
The selected candidates and the repertoire for the competition will be announced at the WASBE’s Reception at the Midwest Clinic, on Thursday, December 18, 2025.
Structure
ROUND 1
Preliminary Selection (Video Submission)
Deadline for Submission: November 1, 2025
Applicants must submit the following materials electronically:
-
Video recording (minimum 15 minutes, maximum 25 minutes), featuring:
-
At least one rehearsal excerpt (5–10 minutes) English or English subtitled.
-
At least one performance excerpt (5–10 minutes)
-
The video must clearly show the conductor from the front (camera should capture face, hands, and posture, and some of the musicians should be visible.)
-
Repertoire must include at least one original work for wind ensemble and may include chamber winds.
-
Videos must be unedited, single take per excerpt, and preferably recorded within the past 24 months.
-
Curriculum Vitae including educational background and conducting experience (English)
-
Short motivation letter (max. 500 words, English)
-
Proof of age (participants must be born after July 25, 1990)
A panel of international judges will select 6 to 8 candidates to advance to Round 2 in Rio de Janeiro. Selected candidates will be announced at the Midwest Conference, Chicago, December 2025.
Jury
​
A distinguished international panel of conductors and educators will serve as the jury, a representative from the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and a representative from the WASBE Board of Directors.
Jury members will be announced via official WASBE channels in 2026.
​
Prizes
Three prizes and honorable mentions may be awarded
-
The Special Jury Prize
-
The Audience Prize
-
The Musician’s Prize
The winner and finalists of the competition will receive the following:
​
Winner
​
-
Educational opportunities through workshops and conducting residencies in different parts of the world.
-
Strasbourg Conservatory of Music, France;
-
Istituto Superiore Europeo Bandistico, Italy;
-
Freiburger Blasorchester, Germany;
-
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester;
-
University of New Mexico, USA.
Note: Travel and accommodation at the responsibility of the winner
-
-
Performance opportunities with partner ensembles
-
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; guest conductor with the SIUE Wind Symphony and Concert Band. SIUE will cover the hotel during the week of the residency.
-
-
Feature coverage in WASBE’s global communications (website, newsletter, social media)
-
5-year free membership to WASBE
-
Guest conductor of the World Youth Wind Orchestra (WYWO) at the WASBE Conference 2028
Finalists
​
-
Professional feedback from jury members
-
Opportunities for networking and mentorship
-
Certificate of participation
-
Feature coverage in WASBE’s global communications (website, newsletter, social media)
-
2-year free membership to WASBE
Semi-finalists (Round 2)
​
-
Professional feedback from jury members
-
Opportunities for networking and mentorship
-
Certificate of participation
-
1-year free membership to WASBE
​​
​
Additional Information
This competition marks the first-ever conducting competition hosted by WASBE and underscores our commitment to supporting emerging talent and promoting artistic excellence in wind conducting worldwide.
Participants in the competition must agree to attend the WASBE Conference in Rio de Janeiro from July 21 - 25, 2026 at their own expense if they are selected to participate in the second round.
For more information and application details, please contact:
Markus Mauderer, Executive Director
WASBE is a World of Musical Culture
WASBE is dedicated to enhancing the quality of the wind band throughout the world and exposing its members to new worlds of repertoire, musical culture, people and places.