The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Flöte e.V. (DGfF) has announced details of its International Flute Competition 2026, an event designed to support and showcase flutists at different stages of their musical development—from young talents to professionals and adult amateurs.

With a two-round structure combining online preselection and a live final round, the competition offers participants both international visibility and valuable artistic feedback from an experienced jury.

Competition Structure

The competition will take place in two rounds:

Round 1 – Online – Video submissions evaluated by an international jury
Round 2 – Live (Final Round) – Held in person during the International Flute Festival 2026

📍 Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen
📅 24–27 September 2026

Participants admitted to the final round will perform the same programme presented in Round 1.

Category 1 – Young Talents (Online Round)

For children, teenagers, and young adults who have not yet begun professional music training.
Age cut-off date: 31 May 2026

Age Groups

Group I: up to 13 years | 5–10 minutes
Group II: 14–16 years | 10–15 minutes
Group III: 17–19 years (not enrolled in a bachelor’s programme) | 10–15 minutes

Compulsory Repertoire

Group I: Paul Hindemith – Acht Stücke, No. 1 (solo flute)
Group II: Georg Philipp Telemann – Fantasia No. 2 in A minor
Group III: Georg Philipp Telemann – Fantasia No. 6 in D minor
one additional solo work of the participant’s choice

Category 2 – Professionals (Online Round)

For Bachelor’s students majoring in flute, up to the age of 24
Programme duration: 15–25 minutes

Compulsory Repertoire

Luciano Berio – Sequenza or
Volodymyr Runchak – Homo ludens I for solo flute
(plus one or two additional works from different musical eras)

Category 3 – Amateur 25+ (Online Round)

For amateur flutists aged 25 and over without professional training
Programme duration: 15–25 minutes

Compulsory Repertoire

Sigfrid Karg-Elert – Caprice No. 2
(plus one additional work for solo flute or flute with accompaniment, such as flute and piano)

Video Submission Requirements (Round 1)
Videos must be no older than 6 months
No editing within individual works or movements
Works may be submitted as one video or separate videos
Files must be clearly labelled with the performer’s name
Submission via: https://dgfff.wetransfer.com�
Deadline for video upload: 1 June 2026

Registration Details

Registration deadline: 15 May 2026
Registration fee: €70

Registration form:
https://www.floete.net/en/dgff-ev/dgff-events/competition-2026/registration-competion-2026/

Final Round & Prizes

Finalists will perform live at the International Flute Festival 2026 in Essen.
Amateur participants aged 25+ may bring their own piano accompanist.

Prizes include:

Cash and non-cash awards
Featured presentation in floete-aktuell magazine
Concert engagements at DGfF festivals

About the Organizer

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Flöte e.V. represents more than 2,000 international members and plays a central role in promoting flute performance, education, and research in Germany and beyond.

Further information:
https://www.floete.net/en/dgff-ev/dgff-events/competition-2026/competition-2026/