Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory of Music (Milan/Italy) - Prize "PAOLO MANTEGAZZA"

What you win

You get the chance to perform as a solo instrumentalist with the Orchestra UniMi, the symphony orchestra of the University of Milan, in one of its concert-season shows. The prize goes to the top winner of the yearly internal competition at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan (the "Premio del Conservatorio"). It is named after Paolo Mantegazza, the university rector who founded the orchestra in 2000. This is not a cash award. It gives a young musician a professional stage and a real audience.

Who can apply

• Where you study: You are enrolled at the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatoire in Milan.
• Field: You play a solo instrument. The prize is awarded to the best solo instrumentalist amongst the competition winners.
• Grades: Last year, you achieved a grade point average of 9/10 (under the old degree regulations) or 27/30 (under the new degree regulations). However, a lecturer may also nominate you even without these marks.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, provided they are enrolled at the conservatoire.

How to apply

Entry is via the annual “Premio del Conservatorio” held at the conservatoire. The closing date for entries is 20 June. The first round and the semi-finals take place in the spring. The final, in which the overall winner is decided, takes place in the autumn.

How realistic are your chances?

There is a single main prize, which is awarded to an overall winner from across all instrumental categories. Competition is extremely fierce amongst the conservatoire’s best musicians. You must be enrolled there and win several live rounds against the conservatoire’s top students. If you are an outstanding instrumentalist with top marks, taking part gives you a real chance – but only one person is awarded the solo post each year.