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.
1986 | Harpsichord
Laureates
Akiko Kuwagata
Second prize
Miyuki Takahashi
Second prize
Ottavio Dantone
Third prize
Christine Whiffen
Fourth prize
Mayako Sone
Fifth prize
Akiko Kuwagata
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Kenneth Gilbert
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Gustav Leonhardt
Scott Ross
Herbert Tachezi
Jos van Immerseel
1985 | Organ
Laureates
Christoph Anselm Noll
Second prize
Isolde Kittel
Third prize
Patrick Ayrton
Fourth prize
Markus Malin
Fourth prize
David Adams
Fifth prize
Andrea Marcon
Fifth prize
Michael Kapsner
Special Prize J.S. Bach
Members of the jury
James David Christie
Xavier Darasse
Stanislas Deriemaeker
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Ton Koopman
Simon John Preston
Michael Radulescu
1984 | Ensembles
Laureates
Lous Landes Consort
First prize
Fontana Musicale Wien
Second prize
Members of the jury
Judith Nelson
Ingrid Seifert
René Clemencic
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Konrad Junghänel
Hans-Martin Linde
Patrick Peire
1984 | Vocal & instrumental soloists
Laureates
Aldo Abreu (recorder)
Second prize
Robert Barto (lute)
Second prize
Johannes Tol (recorder)
Second prize
Drew Minter (countertenor)
Third prize
Mary Utiger (baroque violin)
Third prize
Members of the jury
Judith Nelson
Ingrid Seifert
René Clemencic
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Konrad Junghänel
Hans-Martin Linde
Patrick Peire
1983 | Pianoforte Mozart
Laureates
Linda Nicholson
Second prize
François Verry
Second prize
David Mason
Third prize
Members of the jury
Robert Anderson
Odile Bailleux
Chris Dubois
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Ton Koopman
Michael Radulescu
Jean-Claude Zehnder

Partners

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

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