Winners 1st Prize 2023: SeT Duo with alderman Noël Vergunst and jury | Photo: Willem Melssen

About us

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre aims to encourage young people and young adults who play classical music to develop their musical talents

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre aims to achieve its objective by organising a competition for young musicians playing classical music as a duo, trio or other ensemble

The competition is characterised by:

  • A video-preliminary round, a semi-final and a final
  • The preliminary round and semi-final at Akoesticum in Ede
  • The final in Concertgebouw De Vereeniging in Nijmegen
  • The final jury consisting of 5 members, a jury chairman and a jury secretary
  • Master classes by musicians from the international world of chamber music
  • Win the Podiumprijs (own lunch concert in De Vereeniging)
  • Win the Festival Prize (Grachtenfestival Amsterdam concert)
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Final 2023 | Photo: Willem Melssen

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre believes that master classes and creating a place on the major stages best endorse its objective

The very first competition took place in 2021. The winning ensembles have already had their master classes. Flutist Emily Beynon and singer Claron McFadden, among others, gave them with great abandon, in their enthusiasm for the competition initiative. The musicians were able to indulge in their stage persona. At the same time, Chamber Music Competition Gelre is building relationships with various festivals and chamber music series. This will make it possible to open spots on major stages for the distinctive ensembles. The musicians can not only raise their profile, but also develop stage experience. It has resulted in the Podium Prize and the Festival Prize, among others.

Mission en vision

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre sees the great interest in chamber music. There are numerous initiatives, varying in composition, choice of music and presentation. What was still missing was a competition specifically aimed at this genre within classical music. Kamermuziek Concours Gelre wants to fill that gap.

By organising a competition, Kamermuziek Concours Gelre wants to counter the impoverishment of young people’s cultural education in classical music and stimulate ensemble playing and cooperation in the genre of classical chamber music. Participation in the competition offers young people a chance to play in one of the most beautiful music halls in the Netherlands, namely concert hall De Vereeniging, in Nijmegen.

For those studying at a conservatoire, the Kamermuziek Concours Gelre competition is an important addition to the CV. All students at conservatoires are required to form an ensemble and give a number of concerts. Kamermuziek Concours Gelre aims to make its contribution not only by offering the opportunity to perform in one of the larger concert halls in the Netherlands, but also by being judged afterwards by a jury of leading professionals.

By participating, each ensemble has a chance of winning master classes to be given by a major musician of repute. Ascending, ensembles can add a triple strong addition (hall, prize and masterclass) to their CV.

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1st Prize winners: SeT Duo | Photo: Willem Melssen

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre aims to encourage high-level ensemble playing and collaboration

For those who make music as enthusiasts, it is an enrichment of the individual. At all universities and colleges in the country, there are so many students who make music at a high level and with love, so that for them too, a large stage, judging and master classes provide an enormous stimulus to develop further in this field. And often this is already apparent in the period before: many talents can be discovered in youth orchestras around the country who are keen to make their mark in chamber music. This is why Kamermuziek Concours Gelre has developed Jong Gelre with effect from 2023.

Who are we?

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre is a foundation. In addition to the foundation board, there is the Organisation Team. The board manages, the Organisation Team organises, directed by the secretary of the board. Kamermuziek Concours Gelre is very young: the foundation was established on 2 December 2019. A competition with a focus on classical music ensembles is unique. Kamermuziek Concours Gelre is supported by its Committee of Recommendation, of which composition Kamermuziek Concours Gelre is proud.

 

Organising team

  • Alfred Snel – Director – Artistic Leader
  • Tamara Baas – Marketing and Communication
  • Marie Meyran – Concert Production

 

The board

  • Prof. dr. Chr. (Chris) van Weel – Chairman
  • A. (Alfred) Snel – Secretary
  • Ir. K.H.J. (Koen) Delen – Treasury Secretar

 

The Committee of Recommendation currently consists of:

  • Liza Ferschtman, violinist
  • Henk Guittart, Artistic director of the Orlando Festival
  • Cécile Huijnen, Concertmaster Phion, Huijnen & Hopman, columnist
  • Sabine d’Hont, Recorder and organiser of music courses
  • Han van Krieken, Rector Magnificus Radboud University
  • Eleonore Pameijer, Flute soloist
  • Ruud van der Meer, Baritone, founder and for many years director Prinses Christina Concours