EMCY is the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth: a network of national and international classical music competitions for young people across Europe.

For many young people, they’re a first glimpse of performing in public, playing in ensembles, or of breaking out of orthodox repertoire. Every year, thousands of musicians under the age of twenty-five take part in our competitions.

On 9th November 2020, we celebrated our 50th anniversary. Looking back, EMCY history makes the board and office humble. For fifty years, extraordinary women and men have dedicated their work to music, youth, the European idea and mutual understanding. With the help of our volunteer Francesca Pellegrini, a special brochure has been created to highlight events from the last five decades.