Applications

We are pleased to announce that the 18th Donatella Flick Conducting Competition will take place at LSO St Luke's in London on Tuesday 2–Thursday 4 December 2025.

Closing date: Thursday 3 April 2025 6pm BST
Please refer to the competition rules before entering

The competition is open to conductors who are aged 30 or under who are citizens of the UK, countries having full membership of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein or Switzerland.

From the applications received, 20 conductors will be selected by a panel to enter Round 1 of the competition, which takes place with the London Symphony Orchestra at LSO St Luke's.

After the first day of competition a Jury selects ten of these for Round 2. From these, three finalists will be chosen after the second day for the Final Round.

The Final Round will be streamed live on Medici TV

Prize

The winner is awarded £15,000 by Donatella Flick and will have the opportunity to become Assistant Conductor with the London Symphony Orchestra for up to one year.

During this time with the LSO the successful conductor will work with the LSO’s Principal and guest conductors on the preparation of concerts, often on the assessment of new scores, take part in the LSO’s education and outreach programme, LSO Discovery, accompany the orchestra on tour and, should the opportunity arise, conduct the LSO in concert.

Repertoire

Round 1 (Quarter-final)
Tuesday 2 December 2025

To be announced

Round 2 (Semi-final)
Wednesday 3 December 2025

To be announced

Competition Final
Thursday 4 December 2025

VERDI Overture: I Vespri Sicilian
BRAHMS Symphony No 2 (Movs 1,2 & 4)
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade (Nos 1,2 & 4)

Jury

Sir Antonio Pappano (Jury Chair) LSO Chief Conductor
Sarah Quinn LSO Chair and Principal Second Violin
Kirill Karabits Conductor
Sian Edwards Conductor
James MacMillan Composer
Rachel Gough LSO Principal Bassoon

Live Stream

The 18th competition will be broadcast live on Medici TV

The broadcast is free to view but you must create a free account.