Ten Years. A Bridge Through Music.
The 10th MGNS China–Hungary International Youth Music Competition is now inviting applications from regional hosts around the world.
A Decade of Resonance. A Meeting with the World.
Across ten editions, MGNS has continued to develop a platform for international musical exchange among young people. The new season brings an updated competition format, an enhanced jury system and the launch of a bilingual official website.
- Regional host recruitment across China: opens in September
- Worldwide preliminary rounds: January 2027
- Semifinals: May 2027, Beijing
- European finals: August 2027, Budapest
Since its beginnings in 2018, MGNS has marked a ten-year journey. Beyond competition, it is dedicated to cross-cultural artistic dialogue among young people and to witnessing each young musician's growth.
Foreword | A Promise Renewed for the Tenth Edition
On the launch of worldwide regional host recruitment for the tenth edition.
Over ten years, we have witnessed so many moments like these.
A child's fingers moving gently in the waiting room while silently rehearsing the score one last time. A deep breath on stage, in the half-second before the first note. A teacher at the side of the stage, quietly moved to tears as the applause begins.
These moments continually remind us that competition is the format, but music is the purpose. Rankings may be forgotten; the moment a child steps onto the stage can stay with them for a lifetime.
Ten years ago, the first MGNS competition opened at Beijing Wangfu Concert Hall. Our original intention was simple: to build a bridge that supports every participant's musical dreams.
Throughout these ten years, the China semifinals have been held at the Opera Concert Hall of the Central Conservatory of Music. The stage of this leading Chinese music institution has witnessed the growth of successive generations of participants. The European finals have repeatedly come to life at the Liszt Museum Concert Hall in Hungary, allowing the children's performances to resonate with the echoes of history.
Experience has shown us that this bridge is worth building. Over ten years, many participants have found direction and new possibilities through MGNS: further study, stages farther afield and a broader life in music.
As we reach the tenth edition, we want to extend this bridge to more cities, so that more children can step onto a professionally run stage close to home, without waiting for an opportunity somewhere far away.
Through ten years of sustained work, MGNS has upheld consistent standards and judging rules, so that children in every competition region worldwide start on the same footing. That commitment is our promise to every family.
- The first edition: Beijing Wangfu Concert Hall
- China semifinals: Opera Concert Hall, Central Conservatory of Music
- European finals: Liszt Museum Concert Hall, Hungary
Ten Years of Memorable Moments
The concert hall lights may go out, but these moments remain.
Small hands rehearsing the score one last time in the waiting room.
After the competition, a jury member bends down to place a meaningful honour in a child's hands.
At the moment a certificate is received, the eyes shine brighter than the certificate itself.
About MGNS
Professional standards. A human touch. High aspirations.
The MGNS China–Hungary International Youth Music Competition is a professionally run youth competition focused on musical exchange between China and Europe. Over ten years, from its first opening at Wangfu Concert Hall to successive semifinals at the Central Conservatory of Music's Opera Concert Hall and European finals at the Liszt Museum Concert Hall, it has formed a bridge between Chinese music education and European concert stages.
The tenth edition also marks a new stage for the MGNS brand: moving from delivering a successful competition to building a shared platform. As the brand develops, three commitments remain at its heart. They are also why partners in different regions choose to work with MGNS.
01 Professionalism: Standards Refined over Ten Years
Consistent judging rules, an international jury and a carefully designed competition format. Every score is traceable and every stage follows established procedures. For regional hosts, this means delivering a mature competition developed over ten years, rather than assembling an event from scratch without an established system.
02 Fairness: A Reputation Built over Ten Years
All regions worldwide use the same scoring standards. Wherever a child performs, the same criteria apply. This commitment to fairness has been a reason for so many families to choose MGNS over ten years, and will be a strong foundation of trust when your region recruits participants.
03 Shared Success: The Basis of Ten Years of Partnership
The organizing committee makes ten years of standards, materials and experience available through a shared platform, while regional hosts focus on local resources and delivery. You do not need to build a competition from zero: working with an established brand gives you ten years of experience from the outset.
What Hosting a Region Offers
One partnership, with opportunities to build reputation, generate revenue and create lasting value.
Reputation: The Trust of a Ten-Year Brand
Upon signing, hosts receive official authorization documents and a plaque, becoming the exclusive host for the “MGNS · [City] Region.” The host's name is added to the official worldwide regional directory and continues to appear in competition publicity. Regional authorizations are limited, with territories assigned in signing order. The backing of an international competition brand with ten years of experience brings a form of trust that advertising cannot buy. Local families with young musicians can also come to know your organization through this professional work.
Revenue: A Clear and Transparent Model
We understand that an organization's long-term operation depends on healthy revenue. That is why the terms are set out from the beginning: registration fees are shared in the proportions agreed, and responsibilities, rights and revenue arrangements are recorded in the hosting agreement, providing a clear and transparent written basis. There is also a practical opportunity to reach local families with young musicians. The competition introduces those families to the host organization, which can then develop the relationship directly.
Resources: A Ready-to-Use Competition System
A complete set of visual templates—key visuals, posters, WeChat Moments graphics and certificates—comes with standardized documents covering rules, participant guidance, scoring criteria and awards, plus a coordinated publicity copy pack. These are supplied together upon signing. A dedicated member of the organizing committee provides one-to-one guidance throughout, allowing you to focus on young musicians and local resources while the platform supplies the supporting system.
Future Opportunities: A Lasting Connection with the International Stage
Regional participants progress to the semifinals and European finals according to the proportions approved by the organizing committee. Representatives of outstanding regional hosts will be invited to join a delegation to Hungary for activities associated with the finals, providing opportunities to connect directly with the European music community. They will also receive priority for cooperation on subsequent MGNS international exchange projects. By supporting the musical dreams of children in your city, you create value that can return to your organization as those children grow.
Hosting offers an opportunity to build your regional reputation, connect with prospective local students and develop international relationships.
The Partners We Are Looking For
Regions worldwide. Territory-based authorization. Limited availability.
- Arts education providers
- Cultural and media companies
- Societies and associations affiliated with arts institutions
Potential partners include, but are not limited to, local arts training providers, musical instrument retailers, music studios, cultural media and communications organizations, and relevant societies and associations at arts institutions.
We look for partners with:
- The ability to deliver a local competition and experience in organizing events
- Access to suitable event venues and a local network of arts teachers
- A commitment to the principles of a professionally run competition and a deep respect for music education
The Organizing Committee's Complete Support Package
An established system, supplied upon signing.
01 Official Authorization
Competition authorization documents and an authorization plaque, with formal recognition of the assigned territory.
02 A Complete Set of Visual Materials
Key visuals, posters, WeChat Moments graphics, registration posters and certificate templates, all using a consistent visual identity for a polished presentation.
03 Standardized Documentation
Formal competition rules, participant guidance, scoring criteria and award categories, providing the official framework for delivery.
04 Coordinated Publicity Copy
A complete set of materials for WeChat Official Account articles, ready for promotion when the regional event launches.
05 One-to-One Professional Guidance
A dedicated member of the organizing committee provides online guidance throughout the planning and delivery of the regional competition.
The Regional Host's Main Responsibilities
Clear responsibilities and cooperation for shared success.
01 Local Promotion and Participant Recruitment
Complete publicity, promotion and participant recruitment for the local region within the organizing committee's specified timeframe.
02 Regional Event Delivery
Arrange the regional venue, on-site delivery and local jury, strictly observing the organizing committee's uniform scoring standards.
03 Preliminary Rounds and Selection
Organize the preliminary round and select participants to advance to the semifinals in the proportion approved by the organizing committee.
04 Consistent and Compliant Operation
Use the competition's visual identity correctly. Hosts must not alter the competition format or raise the prescribed registration fees without authorization.
05 Post-Competition Support
Provide thorough post-competition support, including participant enquiries, notifications and certificate distribution, following through from beginning to end.
How to Become a Regional Host
Four steps to becoming an official MGNS region.
- Submit an expression-of-interest form. Contact the organizing committee to obtain the form.
- The organizing committee reviews the applicant's eligibility and responds promptly.
- Discuss the details and sign the hosting agreement, confirming rights, responsibilities and benefits in writing.
- Receive the complete materials package and begin regional publicity and participant recruitment as an official competition region.
Bring This Bridge to Your City
Ten years ago, this bridge began at Beijing Wangfu Concert Hall. In the next ten years, it can reach your city.
For the complete competition schedule, detailed partnership benefits and revenue-sharing proportions, please refer to the Regional Hosting Partnership Handbook.
Telephone / WeChat: 13051052224.
To obtain the Regional Hosting Partnership Handbook and application form, contact the organizing committee by telephone or WeChat at 13051052224. We look forward to hearing from partners who share our belief in music education.
The Organizing Committee of the MGNS China–Hungary International Youth Music Competition. Thank you to every child who has crossed this bridge over ten years. We look forward to building the next ten years together with you.
Republished from the organizing committee’s announcement, with its dates, conditions and qualifications retained.