There are not many cimbalom players in Slovakia, which makes the occasions where they hear each other matter all the more. These are the competitions and showcases we know to run regularly: from the national showcase for art-school pupils to the conservatoire students' round.
Bratislavasince 2011
The national showcase of solo cimbalom playing for pupils of art schools, run since 2011 by the Jozef Kresánek art school in Bratislava. Five age categories; the 15th edition in November 2025 drew 48 players from across Slovakia.
zuskresanka.sk → Updated
Košice
The national round of the Slovak conservatoire students' competition. In the 2025/2026 school year the cimbalom round is hosted by the Jozef Adamovič Conservatoire in Košice on 16–18 March 2026. The disciplines rotate between years, so cimbalom is not on the programme every year.
konzervatorium.sk → Updated
Prešov
A May showcase for art-school cimbalom pupils, run by the Ján Pöschl art school in Prešov. The ninth edition fell on 15 May 2026 and draws players from across eastern Slovakia.
zusjp.eu → Updated
Stožoksince 2024
A showcase for art-school pupils from the Banská Bystrica and Žilina regions, in four age categories; one piece must be played unaccompanied. Run by the Stožok art school in the Detva district, the 2026 edition fell on 30 April.
zusstozok.sk → Updated
Trenčínsince 2025
A competition for art-school pupils from the four western regions of Slovakia, in six age categories including one for older beginners. The first edition was held by the Karol Pádivý art school in Trenčín on 4 April 2025.
zustrencin.sk → Updated
Senecsince 2022
An international competition for children held in the Senec synagogue by the Ján Krigovský Hummel Foundation. It is not cimbalom-only: it is open to art-school pupils aged 3 to 16 on every string instrument, so cimbalom players compete alongside violins and double basses, with a separate day for keyboards. Free choice of programme, four age categories. The fifth edition in March 2026 drew 68 entrants from five countries. There is an entry fee.
senec.sk → Updated
The list is built from the organisers' own rules and websites. Regional showcases keep appearing (the ones in Trenčín and Stožok were both founded in the last few years) and some never make it onto the web at all. If you run a cimbalom competition, showcase or workshop, write to us and we will add it.
Event listings are free and are not a paid placement. Who teaches at these schools and where the players come from is in our catalogue of schools and teachers.