Participant rules
Kamermuziek Concours Gelre 2026
1 Entry requirements
Kamermuziek Concours Gelre is open to participants aged 11 to 27.
Duos: for duos, the repertoire must consist specifically of chamber music with equal parts. A solo performance with accompaniment is therefore excluded.
Ensembles: 3 to 11 musicians participating as an ensemble without a conductor.
2 Competition categories
The competition takes place in two age-based groups:
Participants aged 11 to 18
Ensembles may participate in this age category if, on the closing date of the registration period, more than half of the members are aged 12 to 18 and the remaining members are not older than 19 (or 20) on that date. Players in this age category have the choice to:
- Take part in the competition, including judging and prize-giving. All articles in these rules apply to them.
- Perform during the competition without jury assessment or prize-giving (‘performance’). Their performance consists of a classical music performance of up to 10 minutes on one of the competition days to be determined by the organisers. For those who register for this, these regulations apply with the exception of Articles 3, 4, 8 and 12.
Upon registration, participants must indicate which form of participation, competition or performance, they have chosen.
Participants aged 19 to 27
Each ensemble may consist of musicians (participants) who are either considering attending a conservatoire or are already studying at one. On the date of the competition final, no participant may be older than 27.
3 Competition dates
The competition consists of a preliminary round, a semi-final and a final, as follows:
- Preliminary round: Saturday 19 September 2026 at Musis in Arnhem (open to the public)
- Semi-final: Sunday 20 September 2026 at Musis in Arnhem (open to the public)
- Final: Sunday 27 September 2026 at De Vereeniging in Nijmegen in the Kleine Zaal (open to the public)
On Sunday 20 September 2026, following the jury’s deliberations, it will be announced which ensembles will perform in the final on Sunday 27 September 2026. Each ensemble is required to be available on these dates.
4 Performance duration
a. A performance may last a maximum of 12 minutes in the preliminary round and semi-final, and 15 minutes in the final. Shorter is permitted, longer is not. If a performance proves to be too long, the jury may shorten an ensemble’s performance.
b. In the semi-final, a different repertoire may be chosen from that for the final. Upon registration, the repertoire for the semi-final and the final must be specified.
5 Registration period
Registration opens on 1 April 2026 and closes on 1 July 2026. A registration is only complete upon submission of:
- a fully completed registration form
- payment of the registration fee
This must be paid into account number NL94TRIO 0788888870 in the name of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre, for the attention of the ensemble.
6 Waiting list
It may be the case that there are too many applications and that an ensemble is placed on a waiting list. Should a place become available, we will inform you of this by 10 July 2026 at the latest. If it does not appear possible to accommodate the ensemble, the registration fee will be refunded.
7 Entry fee
The entry fee is €40 for a duo; €50 for a trio; €60 for a quartet; and €70 for a quintet or any larger ensemble.
8 Jury
The jury members are renowned classical musicians, specialising specifically in chamber music. When selecting the jury, we sought to ensure the widest possible range of string, keyboard and wind instrumentalists, as well as singers. All ensembles will receive personal feedback from the jury members. Only the musicians of the ensemble in question and, if necessary, a board member will be present during this feedback session.
9 Sheet music and repertoire
You may perform pieces of your own choosing from any stylistic period within classical music. If you are unsure whether your chosen repertoire is classical or not, please contact the organisers at secretariaat@kamermuziekconcoursgelre.nl. Please note: any changes to the programme after registration are only possible in consultation with the organisers.
During the registration process, you must list your repertoire in the order in which you will perform it in the preliminary round.
If an ensemble’s repertoire includes music for which the copyright has not yet expired, playing copies is a criminal offence under the law if the original, printed music cannot be presented. It is not necessary to submit sheet music for the works to be performed or to hand it over to the jury.
10 Performance schedule
By 1 September 2026 at the latest, each ensemble will be sent the competition programme, which will state the time at which the ensemble is due to perform and the latest time by which the entire ensemble must be present. This schedule cannot be changed.
During the competition, one grand piano will be available, and there will be warm-up rooms with a piano.
11 Consent
Upon registration, participants in the ensemble grant Kamermuziek Concours Gelre permission to use their (personal) data for the organisation of competitions, the recruitment and engagement of audiences, and permission for the use of visual and audio material in Kamermuziek Concours Gelre’s marketing communications. A participant may object to such use in marketing communications at the time of registration.
12 Prizes
First, Second and Third prizes may be awarded for the 11–18 age group and the 19–27 age group. The prizes take the form of concerts and masterclasses. The concert prizes include:
- The Festival Prize: a concert at the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam
- The Podium Prize: a lunchtime concert in the main hall of De Vereeniging in Nijmegen
- The Zoom! Music Festival Prize: a concert in the Zoom! festival series
- A featured concert at Musis Arnhem
The masterclasses will always be given by a teacher in consultation with the winning ensemble. The ensemble indicates what they need at that stage of their development. Kamermuziek Concours Gelre then seeks suitable options within the scope of its resources. Where possible, the masterclasses will be open to the public and will preferably take place at De Vereeniging in Nijmegen and/or Musis Arnhem. The masterclasses must have taken place by 31 December 2027 at the latest. Extensions beyond this date are only permitted with the approval of the board of Kamermuziek Concours Gelre.
