The International Flute Competition Guangzhou returns in 2026 as one of the most significant international platforms dedicated exclusively to the flute. Held every four years, the competition combines artistic rigor with a strong intercultural foundation, serving as a bridge between Europe and Asia.

The 2026 edition will take place from September 28 to October 8, 2026, welcoming young professional flutists from around the world to participate in a multi-stage program that spans Baroque mastery, Classical elegance, Romantic virtuosity, and contemporary expression.

Historical Roots: From Beijing to Guangzhou

Founded in 2006 as the Beijing Nicolet International Flute Competition, the event was initially held in Beijing and later relocated to Guangzhou from its third edition onward.

The competition is linked to the artistic legacy of the legendary Swiss flutist Aurèle Nicolet. In 2006 — Nicolet’s 80th anniversary year — he presented his flute music collections to Qiling Chen (professor at the Central Conservatory of Music) and Sanqing Chen (flutist of the Beijing Symphony Orchestra). This gesture was described as a symbol of his deep affection for China, and naming the competition after him carried special significance.

Today, the competition continues to honor that legacy while expanding its international reach — encouraging contestants to share the charm of flute artistry and exchange their understanding of music across cultures and generations.

Schedule

Application deadline: May 31, 2026
Pre-screening results (video screening): June 15, 2026
Competition dates: September 28 – October 8, 2026

Pre-screening (YouTube video)

Applicants submit an unedited video uploaded to YouTube as unlisted. The pieces must not be edited, and the recording should be made in a large room.

Jury 2026

Michel Bellavance (Switzerland / Canada)
Mario Caroli (Italy)
Michael Faust (Germany)
Gergely Ittzés (Hungary)
Michael Kofler (Austria)
Yong Ma (China)
Gaby Pas-von Riet (Belgium)
Qi Yan (China)
Sarah Louvion (France)

Special Guest Judges

Ruth Wentorf (Germany)
Maurice Steger (Switzerland)
Sanqing Chen (China)

Eligibility

Applicants whose birthday is after September 1, 1994 may apply for the competition.

Competition Rounds and Key Dates

Registration & drawing lots (Round 1): September 27, 2026 (19:00)
First Round: September 28–29, 2026
Second Round: September 30 – October 1, 2026
Semi-Final: October 2–3, 2026
Final: October 5, 2026
Awards Ceremony: October 6, 2026
Gala Concert: October 7, 2026

All performances are open to the public. The results of each round are announced in the evening of the same competition day.

Program Highlights

Preliminary Round (YouTube)

Two movements from one of the following (no repeats):
- J. S. Bach: Partita in A minor
- C. P. E. Bach: Solo Sonata in A minor
J. Andersen: 24 Studies, Op. 15, No. 24

First Round

J. S. Bach: Two movements from the Cello Suites BWV 1007 or 1008 (approved editions/transcriptions)
One solo work:
- S. Karg-Elert: Sonata Appassionata in F-sharp minor
- E. Bozza: Image
- J. Ibert: Pièce
- P. Hindemith: Acht Stücke
- P.-M. Dubois: Incantation et Danse
- D. Lipatti: Introduction et Allegro

Second Round

One Mozart work:
- Andante in C major, KV 315 (KV 299b)
- Rondo in D major, KV Anh. 184
One Romantic sonata:
- C. Reinecke: Sonata “Undine”, Op. 167
- G. Pierné: Sonata, Op. 36
- M. Meyer-Olbersleben: Fantasie-Sonate in A major, Op. 17
- E. Y. Bowen: Sonata, Op. 120
- S. Karg-Elert: Sonata in B-flat major, Op. 121
One solo work of free choice composed after 1950 (5–10 minutes)

Semi-Final

One Bach sonata:
- Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034
- Sonata in E major, BWV 1035
A virtuoso Romantic piece with piano accompaniment (flutist-composers of the era)
One 20th-century sonata:
- S. Prokofiev: Sonata in D major, Op. 94
- L. Lajtha: Sonata en concert, Op. 64
- P.-M. Dubois: Sonata
- J. Feld: Sonata
A newly commissioned work for the competition (available after July 2026)

Final

One Beethoven trio:
- Serenade in D major, Op. 25
- Serenade in D major, Op. 8
One concerto:
- J. J. Quantz: Concerto in G major, QV 5:174
- F. Devienne: Concerto in E minor, No. 7