Connecting young Japanese musicians with Europe: The Romania International Music Competition

Music competitions are not just places to win awards.

Preparing for a performance, delivering your music on stage, and encountering new cultures and people—each of these experiences contributes to your growth as a performer.

The Romania International Music Competition is an international music competition that has always valued connecting young Japanese musicians with Europe.

Here, we will introduce its features in five points.

Feature 1: Overseas experience expands through the prize of a trip to Europe.

The Romania International Music Competition is not a competition that ends with winning a prize.

The Grand Prix winner will receive a prize that includes a trip to Romania. A key feature of this competition is that, beyond receiving a certificate and trophy, the winner will have the opportunity to actually experience overseas music culture.

Performing locally, encountering international musicians and cultures, and re-examining one's own music in an environment different from Japan—such experiences can serve as a catalyst for considering future performance activities and career paths.

The prize for traveling to Europe is an opportunity to leverage domestic awards into overseas experience.

Feature 2: You can challenge yourself with song selections that suit your own style.

At the Romania International Music Competition, you can participate with a free choice piece in both the preliminary and final rounds.

Instead of performing a set number of assigned pieces, participants can choose their own favorite pieces or songs they want to share on stage right now. They can create a program that reflects their individuality while also considering factors such as performance time.

Furthermore, participation with unaccompanied pieces is also possible. This system makes it easy for those who have difficulty finding an accompanist or those who are working on unaccompanied pieces to participate.

The opportunity to take on challenges that utilize one's own musicality and areas of expertise is a major benefit for participants.

Feature 3: Challenges in diverse fields

The Romania International Music Competition has categories for piano, vocal, strings, winds, percussion, and ensemble.

This isn't a competition limited to a specific instrument; musicians from various fields gather in the same venue. Therefore, you can experience a wide range of music at the event.

Listening to performances in the same category as oneself is certainly beneficial, but being exposed to instruments and vocal music that one doesn't usually encounter can also be a great source of inspiration for musicians.

Feature 4: Gaining real-world experience through performance evaluations

For musicians, the experience of delivering their music on a live stage is extremely important.
The Romania International Music Competition does not involve judging based on recordings or videos; instead, it is judged based on live performances.

Performing in front of judges and the audience, while feeling the atmosphere of the venue, creates a different kind of tension than during regular practice.

In the actual performance, not only the sound but also your stage presence and the overall impression of your performance will be conveyed. This kind of experience is difficult to obtain through recording auditions alone.

Not only the results, but also the process of facing the performance and playing on stage contributes to a musician's growth.

Feature 5: The next stage for young musicians

This competition is not just for established performers.

This competition is ideal for young musicians who want to gain more performance experience, build connections with the international community, or test their playing in a new environment.

Of course, winning an award is an important goal.

However, the meaning of participating in a competition isn't just about the results. After preparing, taking to the stage, and being judged, you may gain new insights into your own performance.

The Romania International Music Competition is one of the gateways for performers to advance to the next stage in their careers.

Towards the world beyond the award

Competitions are not just places to determine rankings.
It's also a place to broaden your future as a musician.

The Romania International Music Competition has always valued its role in connecting young Japanese musicians with Europe.

I want to experience music culture from other countries.
I want to try out my playing in a wider world.
As a musician, I want to take the next step.

For those who feel this way, participating in this competition might be the start of a new experience.

There are music competitions that go beyond simply winning an award, leading to further opportunities.

Why not consider taking on this challenge as a first step towards venturing abroad?

Announcement of the 22nd Romania International Music Competition

The 22nd Romania International Music Competition will be held from Tuesday, August 25th to Saturday, August 29th, 2026.
The application deadline is Friday, July 31, 2026.

If you're looking to expand your experience after winning an award, are interested in studying or performing in Europe, or want to try your music on a new stage, please check the application guidelines.


Click here for the application guidelines for the 22nd Romania International Music Competition.