SUMMA CUM LAUDE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL VIENNA 2026

The Summa Cum Laude Festival Vienna is Austria’s premier global youth music festival for choirs, bands and orchestras. It takes place in Vienna’s most important and most beautiful concert venues: The Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the Grand Hall of the Konzerthaus and the MuTh Concert Hall of the renowned Vienna Boys’ Choir – offering an international environment where almost 2000 young musicians enjoy intercultural exchanges and build bridges that span continents. Top professionals form the international juries in the Competition and teach our Academy programme at the Vienna University of Music. Enjoy interactive workshops and educational lectures, additional concerts with local audiences, and pre-and post-concert tours in Europe.

One of the central aims of the festival is to provide a truly international atmosphere. All ensembles experience five days of high-level music-making, intercultural exchange, and artistic inspiration in the heart of Vienna.

Participants can choose between the “Competition” or the non-competitive “Celebration” category. Competing ensembles prepare their own repertoire in addition to the required pieces set by the international jury. Each group is encouraged to include at least one piece from their home country to reflect the festival’s global spirit.
Details on repertoire requirements: www.sclfestival.org/categories

All ensembles take part in workshops at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, with members of the jury. Each musician receives a certificate upon completion.

In 2026, the festival embraces the theme
“We are children just the same – child composers over the centuries,”
shining a light on the creative genius of young composers past and present.

Please visit www.sclfestival.org for all festival details. For questions, feel free to contact us anytime.

Vienna, Austria