From February 26 to March 29, 2026, Glinka Nizhny Novgorod State Conservatoire (NNSC) held the International Music Olympiad.
In the academic year 2025–2026, over 3,000 young musicians from 55 educational institutions in Russia and abroad (China, Belarus, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and Australia) participated in the qualifying round of the Olympiad. More than 250 most talented contestants showcased their skills in the final round. Creative competitions were held in seven study areas: Music Theory, Folk Orchestra Instruments, Choral Conducting, Woodwind Instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, and bassoon), String Instruments, Music Pedagogy and Performance, and Piano.
During the Olympiad, the participants attended master classes by the conservatoire's renowned faculty and distinguished guests, as well as concerts by NNSC students and university bands and top Russian musicians.
When applying to NNSC, the Olympiad winners and prize-winners get the highest score in their major subject exam.
