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.