MA Competition

In 2026, the next edi­tion of MA Competition for Harpsichord takes place.
Applications closed. The first round will be streamed online on 15, 16 and 17 May 2026.
Watch the first round?
Stream the first round of the competition here:
Video MA competition
If you have any ques­tions, do not hes­i­tate to con­tact us on 

competition@​mafestival.​be.

About MA Competition

The MA Competition, founded in 1964, has grown into an unrivalled talent pool and a prestigious international music competition. Each year, talented young musicians from around the world get the chance to connect with leading professionals in early music and refine their artistic performance.

Over the past decades, the MA Competition has launched the international careers of renowned musicians such as Christophe Rousset (°1961), Kristian Bezuidenhout (°1979), Dmitry Sinkovsky (°1980), Jean Rondeau (°1991) and Justin Taylor (°1992)

MA Competition is a unique platform for the training and professional integration of young artists. Its mission: discover new talent and spark meaningful artistic encounters. This distinct position is strengthened by its close connection to the MA Festival.

The first round takes place digitally, ahead of the festival. Candidates are introduced to both the jury and the public via an online streaming platform. These online pre-selections in May have become an important moment for participants to present themselves to a wider audience.

The winner receives a cash prize, a series of concert invitations in Belgium and abroad, a place in the next edition of MA Festival, and the opportunity to record a CD with the internationally renowned Ricercar label.

In 2027 the MA Competition will be for Pianoforte.

Jury MA Competition 2026

During MA Competition 2026, the jury will be:

Korneel Bernolet (president)
Jean Rondeau
Béatrice Martin
Richard Egarr
Mitzi Meyerson

Applications

Find the timeline of MA Competition 2026 here.

rules & regulations
Applications open
23.02.2026, 00:01 — 08.03.2026, 23:59
First round
15 — 17.05.2026
Online
Rehearsals semi-final
03.08.2026
in Bruges
Semi-final
04.08.2026
in Bruges
Rehearsals final
05.08.2026
in Bruges
Final
06.08.2026
in Bruges

Hall of fame

Ontdek de winnaars van MA Competition door de jaren heen.
2000 | Ensembles
Laureates
Vocaal Ensemble La Trulla de Bozes
First prize
La Calendola Amsterdam
Second prize
La Fontaine
Second prize
Les Cornets Noirs
Third prize
La Fontaine
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Bine Katrine Bryndorf
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Maria Cristina Kiehr
Andrea Marcon
Philip Pickett
Agata Sapiecha
2000 | Organ J.S. Bach
Laureates
Tobias Lindler
First prize
Frédéric Champion
Second prize
Erich Michael Türk
Second prize
Hye-Sun Park
Third prize
Christian Schmitt
Third prize
Frédéric Champion
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Michael Radulescu
Bine Katrine Bryndorf
Dorthy de Rooij
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Andrea Marcon
Wolfgang Zerer
1999 | Ensembles
Laureates
Die Gassenhauer
Laureate
Kwartet André
Laureate
Playel Trio
Laureate
Trio Fortepiano
Laureate
Members of the jury
Agata Sapiecha
Barbara Schlick
Paolo Grazzi
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Barthold Kuijken
Wieland Kuijken
Toyohiko Satoh
Marius van Altena
1999 | Vocal & instrumental soloists
Laureates
Takeshi Kiriyama (violin)
First prize
Aruth Masrangsan
Second prize
Liliko Maeda (traverso)
Second prize
Kiyomi Suga (traverso)
Third prize
Elisabeth Homertz (soprano)
Third prize
Knut Schoch (tenor)
Fourth prize
Carles Vallés (recorder)
Fifth prize
Ruth Van Killegem (recorder)
Audience Award
Ruth Van Killegem
Radio 3
Members of the jury
Agata Sapiecha
Barbara Schlick
Paolo Grazzi
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Barthold Kuijken
Wieland Kuijken
Toyohiko Satoh
Marius van Altena
1998 | Pianoforte
Laureates
Elena Privano-Karl
Second prize
Soo-Hyun Park
Second prize
Beata Suranyi
Laureate
Beata Suranyi
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Françoise Lengellé
Wolfgang Brunner
Jesper Christensen
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Gustav Leonhardt
Davitt Moronay
Ludger Rémy

Partners

MA Festival Brugge can count on the sup­port of these artis­tic part­ners for the organ­i­sa­tion of MA Competition:

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