Kodály Competition Debrecen

Kodály Competition Debrecen
5-13 July, 2025 - Brass

Welcome

to the third edition of the Kodály International Music Competition which will be held between 5-13 July 2025 in Debrecen, Hungary.

Debrecen is Hungary’s second largest city, the home of not only a prominent symphonic orchestra and an exquisite theatre, but also of the world-renowned Kodály Choir.

A truly youthful and international city: the University of Debrecen has about 30,000 students, with the highest proportion of foreign graduates from the CEE countries.

As the cultural, educational and economic center of Eastern Hungary, it is easily reachable by all means of transportation, and it also has an international airport.

We believe that the tremendous cultural potential of Debrecen can be fully exploited by this new competition which is planned to be held every two years, each time in different categories. The first edition was a string (violin, viola, violoncello) competition held between 17-26 June 2022, and conductors were invited to apply for the second edition held between 20-28 August 2023.

Brass 2025

News

All news

Sandro Hirsch won the 3rd Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition

Seven young instrumentalists have reached the finals of the 3rd Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition, held in Debrecen from 5-13 July. The prestigious jury, chaired by horn player Marie-Luise Neunecker, awarded the first prize to Sandro Hirsch. The 3rd Zoltán Kodály International Music Competition continued with the final on 12 July. The seven finalists each performed

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Schedule for the Gala Concert

13 July 2025 (Sunday) 7:00 pm Kölcsey Centre, Debrecen, Great Hall Gala Concert & Award Ceremony Krieger , Tobias (Germany) – trumpet Tobias Krieger – Leon Stekke: Concerto op. 17 Vanyó Karsa (Hungary) – trumpet Roland Szentpáli: Cover Vanyó Karsa (Hungary) – trumpet Oskar Böhme: Trumpet Concerto in F Minor, Op. 18 – I. Allegro

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3rd Round – Schedule

12 July 2025 (Saturday) – 7:00 pm Kölcsey Center, Debrecen, Great Hall ROUND 3 Kodama, Hayato (Japan) – trumpet H. Tomasi: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra Krieger , Tobias (Germany) – trumpet H. Tomasi: Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra Saig, Oded (Israel) – horn J. Pauer: Horn Concerto (1957) Vanyó Karsa (Hungary) – trumpet H.

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Competition schedule

6 July 2025 (Sunday) 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm Music School of Debrecen, Simonffy Hall ROUND 1 / SESSION 1 – 9:30 am ROUND 1 / SESSION 2 – 1:30 pm ROUND 1 / SESSION 3 – 5:00 pm Free admission, no registration needed. 7 July 2025 (Monday) 9:30 am, 1:30 pm, 5:00 pm

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General information

The Competition is open to horn, trumpet and trombone players of all nationalities who were born on or after 5 July 1995 (maximum 30 years of age on the opening day of the competition).

The Competition takes place in four rounds: Qualifying Round, 1st Round, 2nd Round and 3rd Round. All the rounds, except for the Qualifying Round, are open to the public.

Horn, trumpet and trombone players will compete in the same category. The jury will advance max. 18 instrumentalists to the 2nd Round (at least 3 horn, 3 trumpet and 3 trombone player), and 6 to the 3rd Round (at least 1 horn, 1 trumpet and 1 trombone player).

Find out more about the competition rules by clicking on this link.