Moyse International Flute Competition Sofia (Bulgaria) NBU
25 June — 1 July 2026
- The competition
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026 – Sofia NBU
Président d’Honneur / Honorary president
SIR JAMES GALWAY
Flute Master and student of Marcel Moyse
Music is the most intense and interior art that man has produced, a universal expression that unites places and cultures. It doesn't need translations, it speaks through sensitivity and intellectual values. The musician becomes not only an interpreter, but also a mediator of culture.
The New Bulgarian University and the Italian Embassy in Sofia, together with the Italian Institut of Culture and the Sofia Music Weeks, intend to support this role and give young performers new possibilities for cultural mediation, organizing together, as proof of a cultural friendship with common aims, an international flute competition, in which new generation interpreters make themselves known and recognized in their values.
Luisa Sello, PhD professor at NBU and appointed by the music department for the artistic direction of the competition, created the Moyse International Flute Competition with the aim of expanding the already present friendship between Italian and Bulgarian institutions and internationally promoting the Doctoral Degree section for the PhD in Flute Performance at the NBU.
Marcel and Louis Moyse, internationally recognized flutists, have had a fundamental influence on the flute school of the last century, both in teaching, composing and publishing. The ‘Moyse International competition’ in Sofia, offers some of their works, composed or dedicated to them, together with the most important flute repertoire that privileges the Italian and Bulgarian music, with a view to a cultural friendship between the two countries, developed around interpreters and artists of both side.
The Rules and the Jury are focused on rewarding not only technical skill of the candidates, but also their charisma, intelligence and comprehension of the text as well as their communication skills, such as necessary in every art.
Winners will receive prizes, benefits and concerts.
All candidates will receive a diploma of participation at the announcement of the winners. Certificates for the teachers of categories JUNIOR, A, A1 and B, DUET 1/2/3 (2 flutes) winners will be given on request.
- Jury
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026 – Sofia NBU
Président d’Honneur / Honorary president
SIR JAMES GALWAY
Flute Master and student of Marcel Moyse
The on-line selection of category B will be made by Sir James Galway e Lady Jeanne Galway
JURY IN PRESENCE
SUSAN MILAN (England)
Chairwoman
Student of Marcel Moyse
FRANCESCA CANALI (Austria-Italy)
HANS-PETER DROBISCH (Germany-Namibia)
NICOLE ESPOSITO (USA)
LUISA SELLO (Italy)
The Jury for category JUNIOR, DUET 1, 2, 3 (2 flutes) will be composed by Drobisch, Canali, Sello
Moyse Competition Secretery: moysecompetition@gmail.com
Moyse Competition: https://music.nbu.bg/en/moyse-flute-competition/moyse-flute-competition-2026
NBU Music Department https://music.nbu.bg/en/
PhD and ArtD prof. Luisa Sello https://music.nbu.bg/en/adjunct-professors
NBU New Bulgarian University http://www.nbu.bg/index.php?l=851
- Regulation
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026– Sofia NBU
The competition is open to flautists of every nationality between the ages of 8 and 33, calculated on June 25th 2026, the day the competition starts. Each candidate can participate in only one category, even higher than his/her age (excluding category DUET 1,2,3).
Each competitor must present a valid identity document, or they will be excluded from the Competition.
For the categories A, A1 and B the preliminary round will be on-line. The selected candidates will participate at the second and final round in person. Those not selected will not be entitled to a refund of the registration fee.
The category DUET 1, 2, 3 (2 flutes) will participate in person in one single round
The category JUNIOR will participate in person in one single round
The category C will participate in person in each round.
The order of execution in all categories is established in alphabetical order. Competitors who are absent at the convocation MEETING, for justified reasons, will be able to perform at the end of that same day.
Decisions of the Jury are final and there is no right of appeal.
All rounds in person are open to the public.
Study rooms will be available at the groundfloor of the Music Department at NBU, organized by the Secretariat according to requests.
Marcel and Louis Moyse, internationally recognized flutists, have had a fundamental influence on the flute school of the last century, both in teaching, composing and publishing.
Marcel Moyse (1889-1984) Legendary French flautist and teacher, had a profound influence on flute and woodwind playing in the 20th Century. He studied with Paul Taffanel and Philippe Gaubert at the Paris Conservatory and became one of the greatest flautists of his time. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1949, he became the founder of the Marlboro Music Festival. Among his students we can find James Galway, Trevor Wye, William Bennet, Conrad Klemm, Paula Robinson, Carol Wincenc, Robert Aitken, Peter-Lukas Graf, Raymond Guiot and Aurèle Nicolet.
Louis Moyse (1912 – 2007) was a French flautist, pianist and composer, son of Marcel Moyse, who was his teacher together with Philippe Gaubert. He taught many world-class flutists all over the world, including Toronto and Boston University and Marlboro College. He is considered one of the most prolific producers of flute music worldwide.
Among the works works dedicated to Marcel Moyse: Philippe Gaubert ‘Sonata n. 2’ / Albert Roussel ‘Joueurs de Flûte’ op. 27 / Jacques Ibert ‘Concerto’.
Works composed and/or edited by Louis Moyse: Louis Moyse ‘Trois pièces faciles’ / Louis Moyse ‘7 Caprice-Etudes’ / Franz Doppler ‘Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise’.
Both Marcel and Louis were friends with Bohuslav Martinu, who wrote his concerto for flute, violin and orchestra for Marcel Moyse and Blanche Honegger Moyse, violinist, conductor and wife of Louis Moyse’. The Concerto was first performed under the baton of Philippe Gaubert (1936).
- Categories
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026 – Sofia NBU
ENTRY DEADLINE: May 15th 2026
The competition is open to flautists of every nationality between the ages of 8 and 33, calculated on June 25th 2026, the day the competition starts.
Each candidate can participate in only one category, even higher than her/his age (excluding category DUET 1,2,3)
Each candidate can participate in both his/her own SOLO category and DUET (2 flutes) category.
The fee must be paid for each category separately
CATEGORY
Category 2 flutes: DUET 1 (up to 13 years) DUET 2 (up to 17 years) DUET 3 (up to 23 years)
Category JUNIOR (up to 10 years)
Category A (age 11-13)
Category A1 (age 14-17)
Category B (age 18-23)
Category C (age 24-33)
The candidates of category DUET 1,2,3 (2 flutes) and JUNIOR will participate in person in one single round.
For categories A, A1 and B the preliminary round will be online. Videos must be recorded live and full-body for the flutists with a visible part of the piano accompanist. Performances can be separated for each author but cannot be edited. Before each performance the candidate must say his name and surname and specify that the piece is performed for the 'Moyse Competition Sofia'. The video must be uploaded to youtube and sent as a link (the video must be ‘unlisted’ not public mode). All the videos must be sent by email to moysecompetition@gmail.com within May 15th 2026, together with the application form and the copy of the registration payment. The cost of the transfer is borne by the sender and the inscription fee is not refundable. Selected candidates in categories A, A1 and B will participate in person in the following rounds.
No professional recording is required for video.
The candidates of the Category C will participate in person in each round. The time of the second round will be established after the results of the first round and communicated directly to the candidates. The application form must be sent by email to moysecompetition@gmail.com within May 15th 2026, together with the application form and the copy of the registration payment. The cost of the transfer is borne by the sender and the inscription fee is not refundable.
The application form must be sent by email to moysecompetition@gmail.com within May 15th 2026, together with the application form and the copy of the registration payment. The cost of the transfer is borne by the sender and the inscription fee is not refundable
FINAL CONCERT
The final concert will take place in public on July 1 2026 and the prizes will be assigned before the concert (see the Calendar).
Gallery at NBU
- Repertoire
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026 – Sofia NBU
For all categories and performances it is optional and not required to play from memory.
It is possible to play with your own piano accompanist or request the NBU pianist by paying the fee of €50 / 100 lev. together with the registration fee, specifying 'pianist request’Category 2 flutes DUET 1 (up to age 13) no participant can be older than 13 years
SINGLE ROUND ‘In person’ (max 10’) The programme must include:
-Free choice piece for 2 flutes (please bring a copy for the jury)
-Carl Philipp Stamitz ‘Duo op. 27 n. 1’ for 2 flutes - three movements / no repeats (the part will be sent on request)
Category 2 flutes (up to age 17) no participant can be older than 17 years
SINGLE ROUND ‘In person’ (max 12’) The programme must include:
-Free choice piece for 2 flutes (please bring a copy for the jury)
-L. van Beethoven ‘Duo WoO 26’ for 2 flutes - two movements / no repeats
Category 2 flutes DUET 3 (up to age 23) no participant can be older than 23 years
SINGLE ROUND ‘In person’ (max 15’) The programme must include:
-Free choice piece for 2 flutes (please bring a copy for the jury)
-Wilhelm Friedemann
Category JUNIOR (age up to 10)
SINGLE ROUND ‘In person’ (max 10’) The programme must include:
-Free choice piece (with or without piano) (please bring a copy for the jury)
-Carl Nielsen ’The children are Playing’ for flute (the part will be sent on request)
-Louis Moyse ‘Sicilienne’ from the ‘Trois pièces faciles’ for flute and piano (the part will be sent on request)
Category A (age 11-13)
PRELIMINARY ROUND ‘Online’ (max 10’) Free choice programme (with or without piano, one piece or more)
All the videos must be sent by email to moysecompetition@gmail.com within May 15th 2026.
The video must be uploaded to youtube and sent as a link (the video must be ‘unlisted’ not public mode).
Selected candidates will be informed by email by June 8, 2026
FINAL ROUND ‘In person’ (10’) The programme must include:
-Nino Rota ‘5 pezzi facili’ (one movement free choice) for flute and piano (the part will be sent on request)
-Louis Moyse ‘Sarabande’ from the ‘Trois pièces faciles’ for flute and piano (the part will be sent on request)
Category A1 (age 14-17)
PRELIMINARY ROUND ‘Online’ (max 10’) Free choice programme (with or without piano, one piece or more)
All the videos must be sent by email to moysecompetition@gmail.com within May 15th 2026.
The video must be uploaded to youtube and sent as a link (the video must be ‘unlisted’ not public mode).
Selected candidates will be informed by email by June 8, 2026
FINAL ROUND ‘In person’ (12’) The programme must include:
-Antonio Vivaldi/Nicolas Chedeville ‘Sonata n. 1’ (two movements free choice) from ‘Il Pastor fido’ op.13 for flute and b.c. (the part will be sent on request)
-Paul Hindemith – Acht Stücke (one movement free choice) (the part will be sent on request)
-Louis Moyse ‘En rôdant’ from ‘Dix petites piéces’ for flute and piano (the part will be sent on request)
Category B (age 18-23)
PRELIMINARY ROUND ‘Online’ (max. 15’) The programme must include:
-One composition free choice with or without piano
-Antonio Vivaldi ‘Concerto op. X n. 1 ‘La tempesta di mare’ for flute, strings and b.c. (pf) (the part will be sent on request)
All the videos must be sent by email to moysecompetition@gmail.com within May 15th 2026.
The video must be uploaded to youtube and sent as a link (the video must be ‘unlisted’ not public mode).
Selected candidates will be informed by email by June 8, 2026
SECOND ROUND ‘In person’ (15’)
The programme must include 2 pieces, one for solo flute and one for flute and piano chosen from:
-Friederich Kuhlau ‘Capriccio n. 1 op. 10’ for flute solo -CPE Bach ‘Sonata’ in A minor for flute solo (2nd mov) -G.Ph. Telemann ‘Fantasia n. 10’ (from 12 Fantasies) for flute solo -Francis Poulenc ‘Sonata’ for flute and piano (1st mov) -Bohuslav Martinu ‘First Sonata’ for flute and piano (1st mov) -Franz Doppler ‘Fantaisie Pastorale Hongroise’ for flute and piano-Albert Roussel ‘Joueurs de Flûte’ op. 27 (Pan and Tityre) for flute and pianoFINAL ROUND ‘In person’ (20’) The programme must include:
-Antonio Vivaldi ‘Concerto op. X n. 6’ for flute, strings and b.c. (pf) (the part will be sent on request)
-Rainer Bischof ‘Quadrifoglio’ (two movements free choice) for flute solo (the part will be sent on request)
-Louis Moyse ‘Pastorale’ for flute solo from ‘7 Caprice-Etudes’ (the part will be sent on request)
Category C (age 24-33)
PRELIMINARY ROUND ‘In person’ (18’) The programme must include:
- Gheorghi Arnaoudov ‘Il sentiero degli uccelli’ for flute solo (the part will be sent on request)
- 2 pieces of different style, choosen among the following repertoire: Jacques Ibert ‘Pièce’ / J.S. Bach ‘Partita’ in A minor BWV 1013 (two movements free choice) / Sigfried Karg-Elert ‘Sonata Appassionata’ / Luciano Berio ‘Sequenza I’
SECOND ROUND ‘In person’ (20’) The programme must include:
- J.S. Bach ‘Sonata’ in E minor BWV 1034 (1st and 2nd mov) for flute and b.c.- Philippe Gaubert ‘Sonata n. 2’ (1st mov) for flute and piano
- Sergei Prokofiev ‘Sonata’ for flute and piano (1st mov)
FINAL ROUND ‘In person’ (30’) The programme must include:
- Louis Moyse ‘Caprice de Pan’ for flute solo from ‘7 Caprice-Etudes’ (the part will be sent on request)
- Concerto chosen from the following repertoire for flute and orchestra (pf): Saverio Mercadante ‘Concerto in e-minor’ / W.A. Mozart Concerto KV 313 or Concerto KV 314 / Jacques Ibert ‘Concerto’
- Calendar
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026 – Sofia NBU
The Moyse International Flute Competition and all the events connected will take place at the NBU New Bulgarian University - 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria 21 Montevideo Str.
Thursday 25 June 2026 New Bulgarian University – Montevideo 21 – Sofia
14:00 MEETING of candidates cat. DUET 1 and DUET 2 (fifth floor - room 501)
14:30-16:30 Single round cat. DUET 1 (Gallery)
16:30-19:00 Single round cat. DUET 2 (Gallery)
19:00 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat. DUET 1 and DUET 2 (Gallery)
Friday 26 June 2026 New Bulgarian University – Montevideo 21 – Sofia
9:30 MEETING of candidates cat. JUNIOR (fifth floor – room 501)
10:00-11:00 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category JUNIOR (Music Department – fifth floor)
11:00-13:00 Single round cat. JUNIOR (Gallery)
13:00 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat. JUNIOR (Gallery)
15:00 MEETING of candidates cat. DUET 3 (fifth floor – room 501)
15:30-19:00 Single round cat. DUET 3
19:00 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat. DUET 3 (Gallery)
Saturday 27 June 2026 New Bulgarian University – Montevideo 21 – Sofia
9:30 MEETING of candidates cat. A1 (fifth floor – room 501)
10:00-12:00 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category A1 (Music Department – fifth floor)
13:30-18:00 Final round cat. A1 (Gallery)
18:00- 19:00 Meeting with Robert Cart "Taffanel’s influence on Moyse" (Gallery)
19:00 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat A1 (Gallery)
Sunday 28 June 2026 New Bulgarian University – Montevideo 21 – Sofia
9:30 MEETING of candidates cat. A (fifth floor – room 501)
10:00-11:30 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category A (Music Department – fifth floor)
11:30-13:30 Final round cat. A (Gallery)
13:30 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat A (Gallery)
15:00-18:30 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category B (Music Department – fifth floor)
20:00 Opening Concert Moyse Competition 2026 (Sofia City Art Gallery https://sghg.bg/en/)
Sofia Music Fest Week 2026 - Jury members of International Moyse Competition
Monday 29 June 2026 New Bulgarian University - Montevideo 21 – Sofia
8:30 MEETING of candidates cat. B (fifth floor – room 501)
9:00 -12:30 First round cat. B (Gallery)
12:30-14:30 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category B (Music Department – fifth floor)
14:30-18:00 Final round cat. B (Gallery)
18:00-19:00 Interview with Susan Milan ‘My time with Moyse’ (Gallery)
19:00 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat B (Gallery)
19:30-22:00 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category C (Music Department – fifth floor)
Tuesday 30 June 2026 New Bulgarian University - Montevideo 21 – Sofia
8:30 MEETING of candidates cat. C (fifth floor – room 501)
9:00 -12:00 First round cat. C (Gallery)
14:00-18:00 First round cat. C (Gallery)
18:30-21:00 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category C (Music Department – fifth floor)
Wednesday 1 July 2026 New Bulgarian University - Montevideo 21 – Sofia
8:30 MEETING of candidates cat. C (fifth floor – room 501)
9:00 -13:00 Second round cat. C (Gallery)
13:30-14:30 Rehearsal with piano accompanists for category C (Music Department – fifth floor)
14:30-18:00 Final round cat. C (Gallery)
18:30 Announcement of the winners and certificate of participation cat. C (Gallery)
20:00 Closing concert of the winners and award ceremony cat. DUET, JUNIOR, A, A1, B, C (Gallery)
All 1° or 2° prizes of Cat. DUET 1/2/3 (2 flutes), JUNIOR, A, A1, B, C will play at the closing concert
The Miyazawa flute exhibition will be held throughout the period of the Competition
- Prizes
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026 – Sofia NBU
Prizes in Euro:
Cat. C (24-33) 1° (€ 3.000) and concert
2° (€ 1.000)
3° (€ 500)Cat. B (18-23) 1° (€ 1.000) and concert
2° (€ 500)
3° (€ 300)Cat. A1 (14-17) 1° (€ 500)
2° (€ 300)
3° (€ 150)Cat. A (11-13) 1° (€ 300)
2° (€ 200)
3° (€ 100)Cat. JUNIOR (8-10) 1° (€ 150)
2° (€ 100)
3° (€ 50)Cat. DUET 1 (up tol 13) 1° (€ 100)
Cat. DUET 2 (up tol 17) 1° (€ 100)
Cat. DUET 3 (up tol 23) 1° (€ 100)Special Prize Conrad Klemm (€ 500) °
__________________________________________________
All the prizes and concerts are offered by:
Italian Embassy in Sofia
Confindustria Bulgaria / Santorelli
Miyazawa Flute Europe
Amici della Musica di Udine - Italy
Sofia Music Weeks - Bulgaria
Maison de la Musique ''Gatev & Co'' - Bulgaria
° The Special Prize Conrad Klemm is offered by Serena Klemm, wife of the famous Swiss flutist, 1° flute in the Orchestra of Accademia Nazionale Santa Cecilia in Roma, one of the most talented students of Marcel Moyse, great musician and one of the most important teacher of the XX century.
CONCERTS: The concerts will be hosted in one of the 2026-2027 Festivals: the travelling and accomodation costs are at expense of the winner.
All the prizes will be awarded during the closing concert ceremony. The prizes include the Bulgarian Government tax of 10%. here will be no remuneration for the participants of the evening concert. The ex-aequo prizes are decided by the jury and the prize will be divided among the winners. Acknowledgment for the teachers of the winners will be given on request. All candidates will receive a diploma of participation at the announcement of the winners.
- Inscription
Moyse International Flute Competition 2026– Sofia NBU
ENTRY DEADLINE: May 15th 2026
The fee must be paid before May 15th 2026 to confirm participation. The inscription fee is not refundable
Registration must be made on the appropriate form ‘Application form’ and sent to moysecompetition@gmail.com together with the copy of the payment fee and a copy of identity card.
Cat. DUET 1,2, 3 100€ / 200 BGN (for the duo)
Cat. JUNIOR 70€ / 140 BGN + pianist request € 50 /100 lev
Cat. A 80€ / 160 BGN + pianist request € 50 /100 lev
Cat. A1 90€ / 180 BGN + pianist request € 50 /100 lev
Cat. B 100€ / 200 BGN + pianist request € 50 /100 lev
Cat. C 130€ / 260 BGN + panist request € 50 /100 lev
In all payments must be specified “Registration for the Moyse International Flute Competition’ SOFIA – NBU Cat. _______________Names of Applicant”.
In Bulgarian currency UBB Bank (United Bulgarian Bank) Currency: BGN Address: 89B Vitosha Blvd., UBB Millennium Center, Sofia, Bulgaria - IBAN:BG44UBBS78271010551907 SWIFT/Bank Code: UBBS/BIC:UBBSBGSF- E-mail: call.center@kbcbank.bg - The cost of the transfer is borne by the sender
In European currency UBB Bank (United Bulgarian Bank) - Currency: EUR - Address: 89B Vitosha Blvd., UBB Millennium Center, Sofia, Bulgaria - IBAN: BG41UBBS81551460052998 SWIFT/Bank Code: UBBS/BIC:UBBS - E-mail: call.center@kbcbank.bg - The cost of the transfer is borne by the sender
How to reach us
New Bulgarian University NBU - 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria 21 Montevideo Str
https://www.nbu.bg/en/about-nbu/welcome-to-nbu
By taxi: yellow taxi (from the airport or from the train station)
By underground: Metro 3 (green colour) Station ‘Moesia’
Accomodation
Suggested accomodation - 100m from the NBU
https://www.booking.com/hotel/bg/wow-apartments.bg.html
Contact us
