2025 Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival

2025 Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival
This is a unique and international Music Event
2025 - A Whole New Theme:
Global Roots of Music and Music as A Global Root
200th Anniversary of Birth: Johann Strauss
July 4-11, 2025
Vienna, Prague
About
Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival
Founded in 2007 in the capital of music Vienna, Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival has received nearly 20,000 participants from 46 different countries and regions over the past years, offered an international music exchange platform for outstanding performers and ensembles from all over the world.
Proudly supported by Austrian Commission for UNESCO, having the Federal President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Alexander van der Bellen as Honorary Board, the festival has become one of the most acclaimed and prestigious youth music festivals in Europe.
Since 2021, SCL has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with ASDAN China to host Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival (China), allowing more Chinese young performers to participate in this prestigious international event. In the past two years, three China National Rounds of Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival were successfully held online. Hundreds of students and ensembles from all over China participated in the 3-day online event, created and enjoyed music together.
In June 2023, 26 ensembles from 13 countries and regions gathered in Vienna to experience the unique atmosphere of this wonderful capital of music, leaving their musical footprints in Vienna, where every brick and tile witnessed a piece of history. We would like to invite all musical groups from different schools that have advanced to the national round of the festival to join this upcoming event in Vienna and Prague in the summer of 2024.
Finally, all talented young musicians could now gather together in Vienna and Prague, experience the power of music and the secret of culture at these two charming ancient cities located in the heart of Europe. Hereby, we sincerely invite all the ensembles and schools who have won the gold, silver and bronze prize in the past SCL Festival China National Rounds to join this prestigious international music festival this summer!
We hope to see you all in Vienna and Prague!
Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival
Supported by







Why us
Unique
Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival is a unique international music festival for all young music lovers, offering both competitive and non-competitive performance opportunities, which underlines the uniqueness of the festival, its focus on all young performers, its wide range of stages,for every young music lover and the opportunity to perform in, 'Competition'and 'Celebration',making it very popular with young music lovers worldwide.
Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival has received nearly 20,000 participants from 46 different countries and regions over the past years. In the summer of 2023, 26 music groups across the world gathered in Vienna to exchange and integrate with each other, creating an open and diversified exchange platform through music for outstanding performers and ensembles from all over the world, which makes the festival renowned in Europe for its internationalisation and scale.
International
Professional
Proudly supported by Austrian Commission for UNESCO,having the Federal President of the Republic of Austria Dr. Alexander van der Bellen, and Dr. Michael Ludwig, the mayor and Govenor of Vienna as Honorary Board, the festival also has invited well-respected jury members and workshop lecturers from Vienna Konservatorium. Besides, conductors and professors from the world's leading professional conservatories will guide each ensemble to improve their access to musical experience in Vienna.
Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival aims to build a more comprehensive platform for the exchange of artistic performances and is open to groups worldwide in five categories: choirs, orchestras, bands, Summa Ensembles, and music+dance ensembles. Each ensemble can choose to participate in one of these categories, which allows every kind of music to be presented with its own unique style from different regions and cultures.
Category
Participation
Ensembles may choose to take part in the SCL Competition or in the SCL Celebration.
Competition:For the competition ensembles have to present certain compulsory music pieces, and compete with other ensembles to win the prizes.
Celebration:Do not compete with other ensembles, only perform at celebration part.
Social activities are the unique experiences that are always special for participants. Each participant interacts and collaborates with performers around the world during workshop rehearsals and performances. In addition, additional concerts, cultural and social dinners are well-organised to allow everyone to connect more deeply with each other throughout the festival.
Social
Significance
The festival offers a unique opportunity to perform on Vienna's most magnificent stages, not only can boost student's music skills, but also can build on their stage experience. These will evoke powerful emotions that then bring back memories in their musical life. And the exclusive certificate will help them to further their background in the future. Meanwhile, their social and communication skills will also be honed, and will have the chance to gain friendships within and across borders.
Participating Countries & Regions
- Australia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- Germany
- Greek
- Austria
- Hungary
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Brazil
- Malaysia
- The Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Palestine
- Belgium
- The Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Bulgaria
- Singapore
- Puerto Rico
- Slovak
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Canada
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Ukraine
- the UK
- China
- America
- Czech
Statements from Honorary Board

Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen

Dr. Michael Ludwig

Dr. Sabine Haag
Honorary Board and Jury

Saul Zaks

Christoph Ehrenfellner

Hermann Pallhuber

Philipp Pointner

Carolin Nordmeyer

Andy Icochea Icochea
Artistic Journey
Opening Ceremony
All the ensembles will take part in the opening ceremony of SCL festival in the 800-year-old Stephan's Cathedral, the "heart of Vienna", to experience the endless fascination of music
2 workshops
Each ensemble will participate in two music workshops at the university of music Vienna, rehearse new program and refine old repertoire with worldwide leading professors and lecturers
2 concert performances
Perform once in the Golden Hall of Musikverein, where the annual Vienna Philharmonic New Year Concert was held, and once in the Smetana Hall or church, the centre of Prague's cultural life
2 additional concerts
2 additional performances in various venues in and around Vienna, gain stage experience and act as cultural ambassadors to spread your own music and culture to Viennese audience
3 culture & arts tours
3 musical, artistic and cultural tours in Prague and Vienna: to learn about the ancient history and cultural depth of Prague's old town, the World Heritage Site; to feel the artistic atmosphere of Vienna, the world capital of music, and visit House of Music, the interactive sound museum or the home/birthplace of famous Austrian composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
Closing Ceremony
Perform or watch the Winners' Gala Concert at Vienna Concert Hall, attend the award ceremony and farewell reception at Vienna City Hall to end the unforgettable music & art journey
Step1:Grand Opening 开幕式
“至高荣耀”维也纳国际青少年艺术节艺术总监致辞,所有参与者初识相见,活动日程详细解析,工作坊团队分组并介绍排练流程
Stept2:Competition 竞演
为所有热爱表演艺术的年轻人提供才艺比拼的专业舞台,学员就已准备好的作品进行竞演,获奖者有机会受邀参加 2022 年 7 月在维也纳举办的 SCL 维也纳国际青少年音乐节,或直通英国课程局Ofqual官方认可的国际顶级戏剧认证——英国NEA英语戏剧表演与表达在线认证等级考试,最高可获得30UCAS(英国高等教育招生服务中心) 加分
Step3:Rehearsal Workshop 排演工作坊
所有参与者重组成团,在专业导师的悉心指导下进行3天集训彩排,相互学习、共同提升,合力完成全新艺术作品
Stept4:Celebration 庆典
排演工作坊的成果展示暨公开汇报演出,从合唱作品、交响乐作品、民乐作品到戏剧片段,各类团体将在专业舞台上尽情绽放,呈现精彩纷呈的演出
Stept5:Social Night 社交之夜
活动期间将举办游戏之夜、艺术舞会等社交活动,给年轻人提供交友和展现个人魅力的大好舞台,从正宗维也纳华尔兹到 Swing Dance、从 Hiphop 到 Disco,体验不同文化,在各式音乐律动中释放自我
Step6:Closing Ceremony 闭幕式
为艺术竞演和庆典表演各组别的获奖者举办颁奖典礼,颁发奖杯、奖牌及获奖证书,为每位参与者颁发证书
Festival Schedule
* The schedule below is a general schedule, a detailed schedule will be tailored to each ensemble
Morning | Afternoon | Evening | |
Day1 | Arrival in Vienna, check in at hotel | St Stephens Cathedral
Welcome Ceremony |
Conductor's Meeting |
Day2 | Explore Vienna Inner City, Ring Road
and one museum like Nuseum of fine arts or a famous composer house with English tour guide |
Choir: Competition or Celebration at Musikverein
Orchestra / Band / Summa Ensemble / Dance Ensemble: Concert Performance in Vienna or surroundings |
|
Day3 | Choir:Additional Concert Performance in Vienna or surroundings
Orchestra / Band / Summa Ensemble / Dance Ensemble: Competition or Celebration at Musikverein |
University of Music Vienna:
Music Workshop 1 |
|
Day4 | Explore 'The house of Music', the rst interactive museum of music
in Austria with high-tech facilities |
University of Music Vienna:
Music Workshop 2 |
|
Day5 | Free at leisure to relax | Vienna Concert Hall:
Group Picture Gala Winners' Concert |
Vienna Town Hall:
Award Ceremony Farewell Reception |
Day6 | Travel from Vienna toPrague, check in at hotel in Prague | ||
Day7 | Explore the inner city of Prague - the UNESCO World Heritage Site including
Charles Bridge and the magnicent medieval old town |
Smetana Hall or Church of Saint Simon and Jude
Concert Performance (Stage time app 10-15 mins for each ensemble) |
|
Day8 | Departure from Prague | ||
Evaluation Criteria
The SCL Jury evaluates the ensembles according to the following criteria with maximum 40 points:
Choir
Technical criteria
intonation, choir sound, rhythm, dynamics
Musical-artistic
interpretation, style
Overall artistic impression
Overall artistic impression
Program selection
program selection, i.e. difficulty etc
Orchestra
Technical criteria
intonation, rhythm, dynamics, ensemble playing
Musical-artistic
phrasing, expressivity, spontaneity
Overall artistic impression
Overall artistic impression
Program selection
variety, contemporary piece
Band /Others
Technical criteria
intonation, rhythm, dynamics, ensemble playing
Musical-artistic criteria
phrasing, expressivity, spontaneity
Overall artistic impression
Overall artistic impression
Program selection
program selection, i.e. difficulty etc
Program Requirement
Additional Concert: The program can be freely chosen for around 25-55 minutes; Smetana Hall Concert or Church:freely chosen, 10-15 minutes; Dance Ensembles: Please contact us * All the performances can be the same program
Musikverein Program
Choir | Orchestra | Band | Summa Ensembles | |
Competition | 15-20 mins in total: - 1 compulsory piece - 1 piece by a composer of the ensemble's home country - additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen |
20-25 mins in total: - 1 compulsory piece - 1 piece by a composer of the ensemble's home country - 1 piece of music in contemporary style - additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen |
20-25 mins in total: - 1 compulsory piece - 1 piece by a composer of the ensemble's home country - additional piece(s) required in order to reach the minimum playing time, to be freely chosen |
20-25 mins in total: - 1 compulsory piece in a format and instrumentation adapted to the respective ensemble - other pieces to be freely chosen, shall be sent to the artistic director to determine |
Celebration | Within a time period of max. 20 minutes the participants may present their freely chosen program on stage |
Workshop Program
Choir | Orchestra | Band | Summa Ensembles | |
Competition |
- 1 compulsory piece for the competition - 1 piece selected by the workshop lecturer (scores provided by festival) |
- 1 compulsory piece for the competition - 1 compulsory piece for the workshop or other piece (confirmed by the Artistic Director) |
- 1 compulsory piece for the competition - 1 piece from additional concert program, confirmed by Artistic Director |
1 compulsory piece for the competition 1 piece from additional concert program, confirmed by Artistic Director |
Celebration | 2 pieces selected by the workshop lecturer (scores provided by festival) |
2 compulsory pieces for the workshop or change 1 compulsory piece to another piece (confrmed by the Artistic Director) |
1 piece from Musikverein program 1 piece from additional concert program, both pieces to be confirmed by Artistic Director |
1 piece from Musikverein program 1 piece from additional concert program, both pieces to be confirmed by Artistic Director |
Award and Certificate
Competition
First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize of each sub-category
Award certificates for the prize winner ensembles of the competition
Participation certicates for every group and every participant
Diplomas for every participant for the workshops attended at the University of Music
Opportunity to perform during the Gala Winners' concert in the Vienna Concert Hall

“至高荣耀”维也纳国际青少年艺术节(中国站)参与证书

ASDAN Expressive Art 表演艺术认证
仅颁发给全勤且参与庆典演出的表演者
Qualification
Qualification
• Music ensembles that have participated in the SCL Festival China National Round in February 2022, July 2022, February 2023 and won Gold, Silver and Bronze Prize
•Schools with students who participated in the SCL Festival China National Round in February 2022, July 2022, February 2023 and won Gold, Silver and Bronze Prize, could send music ensembles to participate
•Other music ensembles that are interested please contact the organizing committee
Participation
Ensembles may choose to take part in the SCL Competition or in the SCL Celebration
• Competition:have to prepare compulsory pieces, and compete with other ensembles to win the prizes
• Celebration:do not compete with other ensembles, only perform at celebration part
*Music + Dance will be celebratory, as varying ways of dancing from different times and cultures can' t be
compared in a competition.
Application
Venue
Vienna, Prague
Application Requirement
fill in application form, send it with the other application materials (biography of the ensemble and conductor, 2-3 performance videos within 4 years etc.) to the committee's email scl@seedasdan.org before the announced deadline
How to Register
Click the button "Sign up now" on the top right of the page,to complete the register and payment
Category
- Choirs:Mixed Choirs / Female Choirs / Male Choirs / Children's Choirs (under 12 years old)
- Orchestras:Symphony Orchestras / Chamber Orchestras with Winds / String Orchestras
- Bands: Symphony Bands / Concert Bands / Big Bands etc.
- Summa Ensembles: Dance Ensembles can either participate as such or in form of a "combined ensemble"
- Dance Ensembles:
* minimum 25 pax
Schedule
From now until February 1, 2025
Registration
February 28th, 2025
Registration Payment Deadline
April 15th, 2025
Scores Submit Deadline
July 4 - July 11, 2025
Summa Cum Laude International Youth Music Festival
Previous Testimonials

Frau Ulli Büsel

Jonny Robinson

Max

Rob

Danielle
Regional Consultants

Ms. Zhang
North China
Beijing, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Hebei, Tianjin, Inner Mongolia
13269709296

Ms. Zhou
East China:
Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang
13061978106
Ms. Rong
South China:
Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Hongkong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas
13128840868

Ms. Pan
Central and West:
Sichuan, Chongqing, Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, Ningxia, Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, Hubei, Anhui, Xinjiang, Jiangxi
13086629260
Q & A
- Choirs:Mixed Choirs / Female Choirs / Male Choirs / Children's Choirs (under 12 years old)
- Orchestras:Symphony Orchestras / Chamber Orchestras with Winds / String Orchestras
- Bands: Symphony Bands / Concert Bands / Big Bands etc.
- Summa Ensembles:f.e. Traditional Ensembles
1. Withdrawal 60 days before the start of the project, subject to a deduction of 40% of the project fee.
2. Launching less than 60 days to more than 30 days before the start of the project is subject to an 80% deduction of the project fee.
3. Launching less than 30 days prior to the start of the program, then all program fees are non-refundable.
4. If the visa service fee has been added and the visa is refused for reasons other than personal reasons (e.g. falsification of documents, deliberate concealment, etc.), the full program fee will be refunded, excluding the visa service fee (RMB 2000). Please understand.