Jury regulations PICC 2026

The International Jury of the Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition 2026 (PICC 2026) is composed of distinguished professionals representing the global orchestral, operatic, management, educational, and cultural sectors.

The Jury is appointed by the Artistic Director in consultation with the Organizing Committee.

• The Jury Chair leads all jury activities, supervises procedures, and ensures compliance with regulations.
• The Artistic Director, Maestro George Pehlivanian, serves as an honorary, non-voting jury member. He may attend deliberations but does not vote or influence scoring.
• A Competition Secretary oversees documentation, collection of votes, communication of procedural decisions, and compliance with confidentiality requirements.

• Jurors must act independently and evaluate candidates solely on artistic and professional merit.
• Jurors may not influence, pressure, or attempt to persuade each other during voting.
• Jurors must refrain from public commentary about candidates—including interviews, social media, and informal statements—until the conclusion of the competition.
• Professional discretion and confidentiality are mandatory throughout the entire event.

Before the competition begins, each juror must declare any professional or personal connection with a candidate, including:

• teacher–student relationship within the last three years
• managerial or agency representation
• ongoing professional collaboration
• family relation or close personal connection

When a conflict exists:

• the juror must abstain from both discussion and voting for the candidate concerned
• declarations are formally recorded by the Competition Secretary
• the Jury Chair ensures full compliance

Candidates are assessed on:

• clarity, precision, and effectiveness of conducting technique
• rehearsal skills, communication, and use of rehearsal time
• artistic interpretation, stylistic understanding, and musical insight
• leadership, presence, and rapport with the orchestra
• professional attitude, focus, adaptability, and overall musicianship

Jurors apply their own professional judgment.
No pre-assigned weighting system is imposed.

5.1 Scoring

• Candidates are scored on a scale of 1.0 to 10.0, in increments of 0.5.
• All ballots must be signed and submitted in writing.
• Advancement is determined by aggregated or median scoring, in each round.

5.2 Ties

If a tie affects advancement or prize ranking, the Jury Chair will call for a re-vote until a clear majority is reached.

5.3 Quorum

At least two-thirds of the Jury must be present for deliberations or decisions to be valid.

5.4 Integrity of Process

Jurors may not discuss candidates until all scoring sheets for that round have been submitted.

• Jurors must attend all scheduled competition sessions.
  If a juror must temporarily withdraw for health or urgent reasons, the Jury Chair may authorize the absence.
• Jurors must not interact with candidates, except for brief polite greetings in public spaces.

6.1 Replacement of Jurors

If a jury member becomes indisposed for any reason, the Jury Chair, in consultation with the Organizing Committee, may appoint a qualified replacement immediately.
All scores and decisions made prior to the replacement remain valid.

• A Pre-Jury may be appointed to review Global Video Submissions.
• The Pre-Jury follows the same ethical and procedural standards as the main Jury.
• Pre-Jury decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

• Deliberations are strictly confidential.
• Only the Jury, the Jury Chair, the Artistic Director (non-voting), and the Competition Secretary may attend.
• Discussions must relate exclusively to artistic and professional assessment.
• Decisions and minutes are recorded and archived securely.

• The Jury determines finalists, rankings, prize recipients, and special distinctions.
• The Jury reserves the right to withhold a prize or divide a prize between candidates.
• All Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

10.1 Orchestra Prize

• Musicians of the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra vote independently and anonymously.
• Voting is supervised by an orchestra representative and the Competition Secretary.
• This prize does not influence the official Jury ranking.

10.2 Public Prize

• Audience members at the Final Round may cast one vote per person.
• Votes are counted by the Competition Secretary.
• This prize does not influence Jury decisions.

• All scoring sheets, notes, and deliberation content remain permanently confidential.
• No juror may disclose internal discussions, disagreements, or scoring outcomes at any time.

• After the results are announced, jurors may provide private feedback or artistic advice to candidates if time allows.
• Jurors may not promise management, representation, or engagements during the competition.
• Any future artistic or professional collaboration must arise independently and outside the competition setting.

• The Jury Chair may resolve unforeseen procedural situations in consultation with the Artistic Director and the Competition Secretary.
• Any matter not explicitly covered in these regulations will be resolved in the spirit of fairness, impartiality, and artistic integrity.

By accepting their role in PICC 2026, each juror agrees to abide by these regulations and commits to uphold the highest standards of fairness, independence, discretion, and professional conduct.