CISM Live

Competitions, education, cultural advocacy and international cooperation across the CISM network — a curated digest of what our member associations announced during September and October 2026.

On 19 October, ANBIMA announced its national Saint Cecilia celebrations, organised with ANBIMA Umbria in Norcia on 21 and 22 November 2026.

In an announcement dated 6 October, ANBIMA reported that the jury of the 11th national composition competition "Musica nella Città" had unanimously decided not to award the prize.

An October article announces the return of the Swiss National Brass Band Championships to the Montreux Music & Convention Center. The 51st edition will take place on 28 and 29 November 2026, bringing together 59 bands across six categories.

The US Naval Forces Europe and Africa Band delivered masterclasses for more than 50 Maltese musicians across ten instruments, offering participants an opportunity to develop their instrumental skills and learn from professional military musicians.

On 22 September, the Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Musikverbände (BDMV) announced that Baden-Württemberg's Minister-President, Cem Özdemir, had accepted patronage of the European Championship for Wind Orchestras (ECWO).

An announcement published on 22 September invites musicians to an orchestra workshop with composer and conductor Michael Geisler, taking place from 20 to 22 November 2026 at the CEB Academy in Merzig-Hilbringen.

An announcement published on 15 September presents the sixth Gran Canaria Island Band Gathering, dedicated to D. Ruperto Armas Reyes.

The Conducting Competition 2026 took place in Baden from 10 to 13 September, for the first time within the SWISS WINDBAND AWARD.

In September, the Bund Saarländischer Musikvereine (BSM) joined other German music organisations in calling for the national Amateurmusikfonds to retain its annual funding of €4.6 million. The draft federal budget for 2027 proposes a reduction to €3 million, approximately 35% less.

On 4 September, the Slovenian Wind Band Association published calls for the 15th Youth Wind Band Competition and the 45th Slovenian Wind Band Competition, covering the concert and second difficulty levels, together with an open-category performance opportunity.

The Confédération Musicale de France announced applications for the third National Wind Orchestra Championship, scheduled for 22 May 2027 at the Palais du Littoral in Grande-Synthe.

September announcements also highlighted professional development and organisational support. These included a Music and Health weekend, presented with CMF Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, and a webinar explaining the ECLAT collective agreement for association-run music schools.

The 44th Austrian Wind Music Festival brought more than 900 musicians from Austria, South Tyrol and Germany to Vienna on 5 September 2026, celebrating wind music in the heart of the city.

The competition will take place in Triesen on 24 and 25 October 2026. Organised by Austrian Wind Music Youth and the Liechtenstein Wind Band Association, it will welcome 47 ensembles from Austria, South Tyrol and Liechtenstein.

Current announcements include workshops on motivation, leadership and cooperation in voluntary organisations, as well as the con brio WEST conducting competition, taking place in Innsbruck on 20 February 2027. The application deadline for the competition is 30 November 2026.

The October calendar includes a gathering of senior orchestras on 22 October, a youth orchestra festival and an accordion play-in on 25 October, and "Iedereen Piano!" in Bruges on 31 October.