Kamermuziek Concours Gelre 2026 with new Artistic Director Maaike Eijkman
Kamermuziek Concours Gelre will take place again in September 2026! The registration form will open on 1 April. We recently welcomed a new Artistic Director, Maaike Eijkman, and she would like to introduce herself to you.
The power of making music together
My first competition experience was at the age of thirteen during the Piano Driedaagse in Rotterdam. I had been looking forward to that moment for weeks, and then there I was, in the main hall of De Doelen. Whole families were there, sandwiches in their bags, and afterwards we celebrated with friends that we had been able to play on such a special stage. And when you hear that you’ve made it to the next round, that’s the icing on the cake, of course, but the cake itself was already there.
From neighbour’s piano to conservatory
I knew from an early age that I wanted to do something with music. As a child, I spent more time at my neighbour’s house, because they had a piano, than at home. My parents quickly decided that I needed my own instrument, and from that moment on, music became an integral part of my life. At the age of twelve, I was admitted to the young talent class at the conservatory in The Hague; the beginning of a lifelong passion.
The magic of chamber music
During my studies, I discovered how valuable it is to play together. Listening, tuning in, reinforcing each other; chamber music not only makes you a better musician, but also a richer person. And when you manage to tell a story on stage that touches the audience, it’s pure magic.
A competition full of innovation and connection
As Artistic Director of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre I consider it a great privilege to work with the organisation to give direction to this special event. With inspiring venues such as Musis Arnhem and De Vereeniging in Nijmegen, an expert jury, the new Kamerklanken section and masterclasses that offer young talents new stages, we are building a competition that sparkles with energy, connection and inspiration.
The cake is already here, but the cherries keep coming.
Yesterday was the final of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre 2024 and it was one to remember! Five ensembles played amazingly for coveted prizes. We congratulate the Martin String Quartet on winning 1st Prize and Festival Prize, Song Duo Verheij & van den Dool on winning 2nd Prize and Viola Sisters on winning 3rd Prize! The Podium Prize this year went to the Florestan Piano Quartet, which means they will be hosting their own lunch concert in De Vereeniging. The other prizes are equivalent to master classes and we will see the Martin String Quartet back at the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam by winning the Festival Prize. Congratulations to all! Go to our socials for the videos!
The programme booklet for the finals next Sunday 22 September at De Vereeniging in Nijmegen has been finalised! Download the programme for the final here. Download the programme for the final here.
And that was the semi-final of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre 2024! We thank all ensembles for their participation and the jury (consisting of Erika Waardenburg, Chris Duindam and Hans Eijsackers) for their expert feedback. Finally, we congratulate the following five ensembles on winning a place in next week’s finals: Florestan Piano Quartet, Viola Sisters, Liedduo Verheij & van den Dool, Echo Saxophone Quartet and Martin String Quartet. On Sunday 22 September, they can be heard again during the finals at De Vereeniging in Nijmegen.
This was Performance Day π π€π£π Gelre! We congratulate Trio JEF on the Performance Day Prize, Thalia String Trio on the Incentive Prize and Caudex Trio on the Audience Prize. We also thank all the other ensembles for their participation and our jury members (Marijke SchrΓΆer, Mattias Spee and Dana Zemtsov) for their valuable feedback. On to tomorrow: the semi-final of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre 2024!
This weekend itβs time! Tomorrow (Saturday) we will organise Performance Day π π€π£π Gelre and on Sunday the semi-final of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre 2024 at Akoesticum in Ede! Buy a ticket online, join us and enjoy young, talented musicians.
Time flies! In about two months, it will already be time for all our musical activities! The ensembles that may participate have already been notified and will soon be announced on our website and social platforms. Keep an eye on us for the final programmes.
Performancedag π π€π£π Gelre
- Saturday 14 September 2024
- Akoesticum in Ede
- Ticksale via Eventix
Semi-final Kamermuziek Concours Gelre
- Sunday 15 September 2024
- Akoesticum in Ede
- Ticketsale via Eventix
Final Kamermuziek Concours Gelre
- Sunday 22 September 2024
- De Vereeniging in Nijgemen
- Ticketsale via De Vereeniging
Registration forms for Kamermuziek Concours Gelre and Performance Day π π€π£π are closed! We thank everyone for the enthusiastic number of entries and will be in touch soon for follow-ups.
Registration for Kamermuziek Concours Gelre and Performance Day π π€π£π Gelre has been extended! Registration is now open until July 1. We are extremely happy with the high number of registrations we have received so far, but also see doubters with questions where a little longer preparation can help. And we understand that!
