Jugend musiziert (Youth Makes Music) - Plucked Instruments

Rules & repertoire

Registration & fee

• Register through Jugend musiziert Online with an email account and your final programme by 15 November 2026 (15 December for German schools abroad). Minors need guardian consent. All participants and accompanists must register, including unscored accompanists. An ensemble submits one joint entry and chooses a region where at least one member lives. The published procedure does not list recommendation letters.
• Age groups by birth year: Ia, 2019 or later; Ib, 2017–2018; II, 2015–2016; III, 2013–2014; IV, 2011–2012; V, 2009–2010; VI, 2006–2008. Ensembles receive a combined age group based on the members’ birth dates.
• Eligibility normally requires residence or school in Germany and excludes applicants undertaking, having completed or professionally practising vocational music training as of 15 November 2026. Separate arrangements apply to German schools abroad.

Rounds & time limits

Regional stage · January–February 2027

• All age groups start in their region. A score of at least 23 qualifies groups II–VI for the state stage. Groups Ia and Ib end at the regional stage.

State stage · March–April 2027

• Groups III–VI can qualify for the federal stage with 25 points in solo categories or 24–25 in ensembles. Group II ends at the state stage.

Federal stage · 13–19 May 2027 · Bonn

• Qualified groups perform under the same category and age-group repertoire requirements.

Plucked-string solo · repertoire at all levels

• Groups I–II: at least 2 items from at least 2 periods, 6–10 min. Group III: at least 3 items from at least 2 periods, 10–15 min. Groups IV–VI: at least 3 items from at least 2 periods, 15–20 min. An item can be a complete work, movement or piece.
• Guitar and zither are unaccompanied. Mandolin may be played with or without accompaniment. Accompanied mandolin may use up to two solo concertos, with cuts allowed in orchestral tutti of the piano reduction.

Repertoire

• The same published category rules govern all levels. Change programme or accompanist online at least 4 weeks before the regional or state stage, or at least 8 weeks before the federal stage. Timing starts with tuning or the first item.
• For repertoire requiring period diversity, the official bands are Renaissance/early Baroque; Baroque; early Classical/Classical; Romantic/Impressionist; expanded-tonal and classical-modern works; and 21st-century or distinctly different New Music. For the last band, provide two copies for the jury, or digital copies only at the federal stage.

Source: Official 2027 regulations (PDF) · Official competition announcement