For another year, the Town Hall of Arnuero calls for the International Chamber Music Competition of Arnuero (CIMCA 2026), which in its twenty-third edition will feature an improved programme of the very highest quality. The website and the online registration platform are now being updated, and registrations can be made from 12 January to 30 April.
CIMCA 2026 will keep the two-stage selection process: a first online phase to select finalist ensembles through the videos submitted by them, and a second in-person stage with qualifying auditions and the grand Final, to which a limited number of four ensembles will be admitted. During the month of May, the Jury will review all submitted videos and carry out the first selection of 8 groups, which will then take part in person in the final phase.
CIMCA 2026 will be accompanied by a spectacular programme, turning this event into a unique occasion within the world of chamber music.
On Friday 3 July, the Casa de las Mareas will host the opening concert by the members of the jury, with the premiere of a commissioned work for the competition, composed by its chair, José Manuel López López. After that, the running order of the participating ensembles in the final phase of the Competition will be drawn.
On Saturday 4 July, qualifying auditions will be held at Casa de las Mareas, and on Sunday 5 July, the grand Final will take place in the same venue.
These are the main dates to keep in mind:
REGISTRATION: 12 January to 30 April 2026. Documentation and a performance video must be provided.
PRESELECTION (non-face-to-face): May 2026. The Jury will assess the videos without in-person meetings and will determine the ensembles (maximum 8) that will take part in the in-person phase of qualifying auditions.
OPENING CONCERT with the premiere of the work by José Manuel López López performed by the jury: 3 July 2026, 20:00. Casa de las Mareas (Soano).
QUALIFYING AUDITIONS: 4 July 2026. (In person – Maximum 8 groups)
GRAND FINAL: Casa de las Mareas (Soano) 5 July 2026, 18:00. (In person – Maximum 4 groups).
The Competition is endowed with the following awards:
FIRST PRIZE: €3,000 and an accreditation diploma, plus a remunerated concert in the “Ciclo creando futuros” of the Centro Botín.
SECOND PRIZE: €2,000 and an accreditation diploma, plus a remunerated concert in the programme “Marcos Históricos” of the International Festival of Santander.
«Ricardo Hontañón» Prize: €1,000 and a diploma,
«Jesús de Monasterio» Prize for the most outstanding violinist: Diploma and Concert, sponsored by the Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo.
Prize for the most outstanding Cantabrian group: Diploma and Concert at the Semana Inusual de la Música of the Conservatorio de Música “Jesús de Monasterio” in Santander, and a remunerated concert in the series “CASYC Young performers” organised by the Fundación Caja Cantabria.
The XXIII CIMCA has the support of the Centro Botín, the International Festival of Santander, the Real Sociedad Menéndez Pelayo, the Fundación Caja Cantabria and the Conservatorio de Música Jesús de Monasterio. With these partnerships, the CIMCA’s goal is fulfilled: to serve as a platform for contestants to kick-start their musical careers by offering them concerts in the best chamber music venues in Cantabria.
The age limit for competing remains set at 28 years, since this better fits the objective of promoting young performers: understanding that at that age they will already have received the appropriate training so that, even as young people, they can establish themselves as new values in musical interpretation.
For more information about registration: 0034-942677041 and email: amargallo@ayuntamientoarnuero.org (Antonio).
Full rules and online registration on the website: https://www.concursomusicaarnuero.es/
