The selection committee of WMC and the Association of Conductors and Instructors (BvOI) have selected 24 candidates who will start the 1st round on Wednesday 13 July.

1st Round (24 candidates): Each candidate will be adjudicated by team A during a 15-minute presentation of 2 works with a professional wind ensemble (no rehearsal). A maximum of 12 candidates will be selected by the adjudicators for the 2nd round. At the announcement of the results at the end of this round, a draw will decide the order of performance for the next round. Ensemble: Helicon Wind Ensemble (NL)

2nd Round (12 candidates): Each candidate will be adjudicated by team A during a 20-minute rehearsal and a 10-minute presentation with a professional wind band. At the announcement of the results at the end of this round, a draw will decide the order of performance for the semi-finals. Band: Royal Symphonic Band of the Belgian Air Force (BE)

Semi-finals: (6 candidates): Each candidate will be adjudicated by team B during a 30-minute rehearsal and a 10-minute presentation with a professional wind band. At the announcement of the results at the end of this round, a draw will decide the order of performance and the compositions for the finals. Band: The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy (NL)

Finals: (3 candidates): The finals consists of two parts. In the first part each candidate will be adjudicated by team B during a 1-hour rehearsal of one of the three final compositions known to the professional wind band. In the second part this composition will be performed and adjudicated as part of the gala concert. Band: The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy (NL)