From July 7 to 12, 2025, Rabat will once again become a stage for passion, precision, and musical brilliance. For the third year running, the International School of Music and Dance (EIMD) in the Moroccan capital will host the National Music Competition of Morocco (CNMM). Now in its 22nd edition, the event is organized by the Ténor Foundation for Culture and supported by the Foundation of the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco.
As one of the country’s premier platforms for emerging classical musicians, the CNMM continues to fulfill its core mission: to discover, nurture, and showcase young talent between the ages of 7 and 30 from across the nation. Far more than a contest, it’s a celebration of Morocco’s future musical voices.
The competition spans four core categories—piano, guitar, bowed strings, and chamber music—and draws hundreds of participants from all corners of the country. Last year alone, 332 young musicians representing 19 cities took part, filling the week with remarkable performances, emotional highs, and a steady stream of promising discoveries.
Each category is judged by a panel of internationally respected musicians, selected not just for their accolades but for their commitment to education and mentorship. The 2025 jury includes Franco-Lebanese pianist Abdel Rahman El Bacha, winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Competition; Ann-Estelle Médouze, concertmaster of the Orchestre national d’Île-de-France; and Benjamin Valette, a world-renowned guitarist known for his technical mastery and teaching excellence. These jurors are not only there to evaluate—they’re also dedicated to guiding participants with honest yet constructive feedback in a spirit of encouragement and growth.
But the CNMM is more than just a competition. It’s a week-long celebration of classical music, offering a rich schedule of free public events. Open master classes, chamber music recitals, concerts by the Moroccan Philharmonic Orchestra, and a festive winners’ concert turn Rabat into a cultural hub that brings together music lovers, aspiring artists, and professionals in a unique, inclusive atmosphere.
One of the highlights of this year’s edition is sure to be the awards ceremony, where finalists will perform for an audience of peers, jurors, and classical music enthusiasts. It’s a closing concert that combines talent and emotion, wrapping up the competition in a shared spirit of joy and accomplishment.
Since forming a partnership in 2022, the Ténor Foundation and the Academy’s cultural wing have worked closely to establish Rabat as a leading center for music and dance. With each edition of the CNMM, that vision becomes more tangible—positioning the city as a welcoming stage for national and international talent alike.
Aspiring musicians eager to participate can register now via the official website, www.cnmm.ma. All auditions will take place in Rabat from July 7 to 12 and are open to the public free of charge.
