European Composition Award
A fundamental part of the festival since its beginning has been the promotion of contemporary and, above all, young composers, who consistently bring topical themes and musical influences from their home countries to Young Euro Classic through their works.
One of the special highlights of Young Euro Classic is the presentation of the European Composition Award. Presented by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, this was the 26th time that the best premiere or German premiere at the festival has been honoured.
In 2025 Jay Capperauld from Scotland was awarded the European Composition Award for the work “Galvanic Dances”.
The decision on who will receive the prize, worth 5,000 euros, is made by a ten-member jury of volunteers.
Composer and musician Michael Essl will chair the audience jury for the European Composition Prize 2026.
Join the public jury!
Would you like to be part of the jury? From June onwards, you’ll find all the information you need on how to apply here.
These works are in competition for the European Composition Award 2026
Previous winners
Since the festival was founded, 38 works have been honoured with the European Composition Award.
In 2025, the work "galvanic dances" by the Scottish composer Jay Capperauld received the European Composition Award.