From 23 June to 3 July 2026, the Bamberger Symphoniker will once again host The Mahler Competition for the most promising young conductors. The application period runs from 15 September to 31 October 2025.

Over the past 20 years, the competition has launched the international careers of conductors such as Gustavo Dudamel, Lahav Shani, and Kahchun Wong.

The international jury comprises a mong others: Marina Mahler, competition patron and honorary member, Jakub Hrůša, Chief Conductor of the Bamberg Symphony and jury president, Deborah Borda, President Emerita of the New York Philharmonic, Thomas Adès, British composer and pianist, and Pablo Heras-Casado, Spanish conductor, former director of the Granada Festival

Up to 24 candidates will be invited to Bamberg – more than ever before.

The final round now consists of an extended individual 2.5-hour rehearsal with the orchestra, followed by a public concert performance on 3 July 2026.

From the very first round, candidates rehearse and perform with the full Mahler Orchestra of the Bamberg Symphony – a unique opportunity rarely found elsewhere.