5TH INTERNATIONAL CAHİT KOPARAL FLUTE COMPETITION

The flute competition, organized in memory of Prof. Cahit Koparal (1928–2001), an esteemed artist, flute virtuoso, educator, and Marmaris enthusiast who made significant contributions to the establishment of the Marmaris Culture and Arts Association (MAKSAD), will be held in Marmaris for the fifth time on an international scale from September 1–11, 2026.

Participation in the pre-qualifying rounds is open until March 13, 2026.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COMPETITION

The International Cahit Koparal Flute Competition aims not only to provide young flutists with a stage opportunity but also to keep Prof. Cahit Koparal’s legacy alive. The primary objectives of the competition are as follows:

  • To introduce Cahit Koparal to younger generations, to keep his name alive, and to continue the “Koparal tradition” by modeling the caring relationship he established with his students.
  • To encourage young flute students and artists; to recognize their talents early, support their development, and provide new opportunities on their artistic journeys.
  • To ensure that Koparal’s approach inspires faculty members working not only in the flute field but also in other art forms.
  • To add new works to the flute repertoire through commissions for young composers and to make lasting contributions to the world of music.

What I observed as a friend was his extreme devotion to his students. He always thought about them, rejoiced in their successes, and shared in their sorrows and joys. He possessed all the qualities of an educator: knowledge, teaching ability, dedication, patience, a sense of duty, love for humanity, and disregard for material things.

— Ermukan Saydam, violinist and Cahit Koparal’s friend of 42 years

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

The rehearsals, elimination rounds, finals, and award ceremony will be held at
Marmaris Municipality Armutalan Cultural Center.

Preliminary Selection and Application Period

March 13, 2026 End of preliminary selection application period
March 27, 2026 Announcement of competitors who passed the preliminary selection
March 27 – April 3, 2026 Official application period for competitors who passed the preliminary selection

Competition Period

JUNIOR CATEGORY

September 7, 2026 Hotel check-in
September 8, 2026 10:00 – Opening Ceremony and Draw
September 8, 2026 11:00 – 1st Round Rehearsal
September 9, 2026 09:00 – 1st Round Competition
September 10, 2026 09:00 – Junior Category Final Rehearsal
September 10, 2026 14:00 – Junior Category Final / Award Ceremony
September 11, 2026 Junior Category hotel check-out

SENIOR CATEGORY

September 10, 2026 Senior Category hotel check-in
September 11, 2026 09:00 – Senior Category 1st Round Rehearsal
September 12, 2026 09:00 – Senior Category 1st Round Competition
September 13, 2026 09:00 – Senior Category 2nd Round Rehearsal
September 14, 2026 09:00 – Senior Category 2nd Round Competition
September 15, 2026 09:00 – Senior Category Final Rehearsal
September 15, 2026 14:00 – Senior Category Final
September 15, 2026 20:00 – Award Ceremony
September 16, 2026 Hotel check-out

Junior Category (Under 18)

1st Prize €700

2nd Prize €350

3rd Prize €200

Best Interpretation of a Turkish Piece

Honorable Mention for 4th and 5th Places

Senior Category (Ages 18-28)

1st Prize €3000 in cash

Invitation to a concert with the Bursa State Symphony Orchestra during the 2026-2027 concert season

2nd Prize €1500 in cash

Invitation to a concert with the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality Orchestra during the 2026-2027 concert season

3rd Prize €750 in cash 

Jury’s Special Awards:

Invitation to the “Flaut Festival” in Italy in 2027

Best Interpretation of a Turkish Piece

Honorable Mention for 4th and 5th Places

COMPETITION SPECIFICATIONS

You can download the Competions Specifications from this LINK

COMPETITION REPERTOIRE (SELECTION)

Mert EREN, ‘’Dialogues’’ for Flute and Piano

Cem ESEN, Flute Sonata No.3

Fazıl SAY, Solo Flute Sonata, “Dignified Loneliness”

The Competition’s selection of new compositions for the 5th International Cahit Koparal Flute Competition is available for download. 

The complete competition repertoire is listed in the Specifications document.

JURY

Bülent Evcil

Bülent Evcil

Flute Artist, IDSO Section Leader and BIFO Principal Flutist

Chair of the Jury

Born in Istanbul in 1968, the artist completed his flute education at the Mimar Sinan University State Conservatory, the Royal...

Salvatore Lombardi

Salvatore Lombardi

Flutist, State Conservatory of Naples, Italy

Jury Member

Professor of flute at the “San Pietro a Majella” State Conservatory of Music in Naples, Lombardi is a versatile artist...

Aycan Sancar

Aycan Sancar

Flute Artist, Retired Section Leader of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra

Jury Member

He began his music education at the İzmir State Conservatory and graduated from the Ankara State Conservatory in 1978, after...

Doç. Dr. Samir Gülahmedov

Doç. Dr. Samir Gülahmedov

Chairman of the Board of MAKSAD, Faculty Member of the Department of Music Education, Faculty of Education, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University

Jury Member

Successfully completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Baku Music Academy, earning Diplomas as a Soloist, Orchestra Soloist, and...

Sonat Sözer

Sonat Sözer

Flute Artist, Section Leader of the İzmir State Symphony Orchestra

Jury Member

The artist began his education at Dokuz Eylül University State Conservatory in İzmir as a student of Prof. Dr. Cahit...

Lelya Bayramoğulları

Lelya Bayramoğulları

Flute Artist, Antalya State Symphony Orchestra

Jury Member

In 1986, she was admitted to the Flute Department of Dokuz Eylül University İzmir State Conservatory, where she studied under...

Murat Esen

Murat Esen

Flute Artist, Çukurova State Symphony Orchestra

Competition Secretary General

In 1983, He became a student of Prof. Cahit Koparal at the İzmir State Conservatory. He later graduated with high...

ACCOMPANIMENT GROUP

Cem ESEN

Cem ESEN

Pianist

Born in Adana in 1997, Cem Esen began his piano education at Çukurova University State Conservatory. He studied with Prof....

Amadeo SALVATO

Amadeo SALVATO

Pianist

Amedeo Salvato pursues a career as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist, collaborating with numerous instrumentalists and singers. He began...

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Marmaris Municipality Armutalan Cultural Centeri

Participation in the preliminary round of the competition is possible until March 13, 2026.