The competition is open to students of state educational institutions of culture and the arts, as well as amateur and practising musicians. To take part, send a video recording of a free programme of one or two pieces of your choice. The recording must be made without editing or sound processing.

Competition categories:
A – Solo | B – Duet | C – Ensemble | D – Choir

Performers in the following styles may take part:
• Classical (academic) vocals • Pop vocals • Jazz vocals • Folk vocals • Sacred (church) singing

Age groups:
Group I – 5 to 7 years
Group II – 8 to 10 years
Group III – 11 to 14 years
Group IV – 15 to 19 years
Group V – 20 to 25 years
Group VI – 26 and over (no upper age limit)

Repertoire requirements for solo and ensemble singing:

Groups I, II, III – a programme of your choice up to 5 minutes

Groups IV, V, VI – a programme of your choice up to 10 minutes

- One or two pieces of your choice

The competition is open to students of state educational institutions of culture and the arts, as well as amateur and practising musicians. To take part, send a video recording of a free programme of one or two pieces of your choice. The recording must be made without editing or sound processing.

Competition categories:

A – Choral conducting
B – Conducting a folk instrument orchestra
C – Conducting a symphony orchestra
D – Conducting a wind band

Participant groups:

Group I – students of children's music, arts and choral schools
Group II – students of music colleges (secondary vocational education)
Group III – university and conservatory students
Group IV – assistant trainees and postgraduate students
Group V – professionals (working choirmasters and orchestra conductors)

Repertoire requirements for choral and orchestral conducting:

Groups I, II – a programme of your choice up to 7 minutes

Groups III, IV, V – a programme of your choice up to 15 minutes

- One or two pieces of your choice

• Fill in the online application form on the competition website using this link.
Applications are accepted until November 30, 2026 inclusive.
• Upload a video of your performance to any publicly accessible cloud storage (Google Drive / Yandex Disk) and paste the link into the application form.
The video must have been recorded no earlier than six months before you apply.
• Pay the entry fee using the payment details provided by the organizers.
  All information you enter when registering will appear on your award documents exactly as you entered it. If you need to correct your registration details, please contact the organizing committee at hrdemusic@gmail.com
  By submitting an application, you accept and agree to the competition rules; the organizers may change the competition dates.

Vocal category:
A Solo – 800 RUB / 4,500 KZT / 15 USD
B Duet – 1,000 RUB / 5,500 KZT / 18 USD
C Ensemble – 1,500 RUB / 8,000 KZT / 25 USD
D Choir – 1,900 RUB / 10,000 KZT / 35 USD

Conducting category:
Groups I, II – 1,300 RUB / 7,000 KZT / 20 USD
Groups III, IV, V – 1,600 RUB / 8,500 KZT / 27 USD

Grand Prix winner
Laureate of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree
Diploma winner of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree
Teachers, ensemble directors and accompanists of laureates and diploma winners receive electronic Letters of Appreciation.

The jury of the 6th International Online Competition of Vocal, Ensemble and Conducting Art “DE Music Award” is chaired by Boris Igorevich Tarakanov: professor, academician of MAFN, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, artistic director and chief conductor of the Academic Grand Choir of the Russian State University for the Humanities and of the Academic Choir of the Moscow Metro. Member of the Presidium of the All-Russian Choral Society. Founder of the largest online sheet music library, “Boris Tarakanov’s Sheet Music Archive”. Recipient of the Russian Presidential Grant in Culture and Arts. President of the United Choral Movement Chorus Inside.

The 6th International Online Competition of Vocal, Ensemble and Conducting Art “DE Music Award” is organized by the international online music education platform demusic.online (DEMUSIC.ONLINE LLP, BIN 230140040554, OKED 85520 “Education in the field of culture”), together with its partners and with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Applications open: September 1, 2026
Applications close: November 30, 2026
Competition dates: December 1–4, 2026

To discover talented soloists, vocal groups, choirmasters and conductors in order to support and develop their talent further. To promote professional growth, raise the level of performance skills and popularize the musical art of different countries. The competition provides a platform for sharing experience, building professional connections and promoting vocal and conducting art as a means of self-expression and intercultural dialogue.

To organize a competition for vocalists, ensembles and choirs, as well as choirmasters and conductors from different countries; to ensure a high-quality selection of participants by a competent jury; to give participants the opportunity to show their talent and professionalism; to reward the best performers and help them advance their careers.

Musicality and stage presence, artistic interpretation of the piece, and how well the repertoire suits the performer’s abilities and age group, among others. Performances are scored on a 10-point scale; the final result is the average score.

The jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.

The competition’s cash prize fund is 50,000 RUB / 300,000 KZT / 650 USD. The prize fund is awarded to participants who receive the highest score by unanimous decision (Grand Prix) and may be distributed across all categories at the jury’s discretion.