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.
1976 | Organ
Laureates
Istvan Ella
First prize
Christa Rakich
Second prize
Alfred Halbartschlager
Third prize
Roman Summereder
Fourth prize
Wolfram Syré
Fifth prize
Alfred Halbartschlager
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Nicholas Danby
Xavier Darasse
Albert de Klerk
Ludwig Doerr
Bernard Lagacé
Gabriel Verschraegen
1975 | Woodwind ensemble
Laureates
Tokyo Recorder Quartet
First prize
Ensemble Saratoga
Second prize
Ensemble Pfeifergasse Salzburg
Third prize
Members of the jury
Silva Devos
Frans Brüggen
Carl Dolmetsch
Günther Höller
Wieland Kuijken
Gustav Scheck
Friedrich von Huene
Katsuya Yokoyama
Jozef Robijns
President of the jury
1975 | Traverso
Laureates
Masahiro Arita
First prize
WiHazelzetbert
Second prize
Eva Legéne-Andersson
Laureate
Jerome Minis
Laureate
Dorothea Winter
Laureate
Members of the jury
Silva Devos
Frans Brüggen
Carl Dolmetsch
Günther Höller
Piet Kuijken
Gustav Scheck
Friedrich von Huene
Katsuya Yokoyama
Jozef Robijns
President of the jury
1974 | Harpsichord
Laureates
Henk Cuppers
Second prize
Eric-Lynn Kelley
Third prize
Gordon Murray
Fourth prize
Larry Phillips
Fifth prize
Members of the jury
Hedwig Bilgram
Christiane Jaccottet
Alan Curtis
Kenneth Gilbert
Gustav Leonhardt
Colin Tilney
Jozef Robijns
President of the jury
1973 | Organ
Laureates
Réjean Poirier
First prize
Dee Ann Crossley
Second prize
Bram Beekman
Third prize
Martin Lücker
Third prize
Martin Lücker
Audience Award
Members of the jury
Kamiel D'Hooghe
Ludwig Doerr
Bernard Lagacé
Lionel Rogg

Partners

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

Schrijf je in voor onze nieuwsbrief

Bedankt! Je bent nu ingeschreven.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Volg ons online!