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.
1998 | Harpsichord
Laureates
Béatrice Martin
First prize
Aapo Häkkinen
Second prize
Bertrand Cuiller
Third prize
Michael Sponseller
Fourthe prize
Béatrice Martin
Audience Award
Aapo Häkkinen
Radio 3
Members of the jury
Françoise Lengellé
Wolfgang Brunner
Jesper Christensen
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Gustav Leonhardt
Davitt Moronay
Ludger Rémy
1997 | Organ duo
Laureates
Edita Keglerova & Iva Vedralovà
First prize
Olivier Fortin & Karloline Leblanc
Second prize
Sébastien Guillot & Pascal Dubreuil
Second prize
Debora Villani & Maurizio Stefania
Third prize
Members of the jury
Dorthy de Rooij
Jean Boyer
Lorenzo Ghielmi
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Martin Lücker
Michael Radulescu
1997 | Organ solo
Laureates
Francis Jacob
First prize
Rie Hiero
Second prize
Damien Simon
Second prize
Wim Winters
Third prize
Members of the jury
Dorthy de Rooij
Jean Boyer
Lorenzo Ghielmi
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Martin Lücker
Michael Radulescu
1996 | Ensembles
Laureates
Trio Eroica
First prize with congratulations from the jury
The Carolinian Consort
Second prize
Les Quatre
Third prize
Members of the jury
Chiara Banchini
Günther Häller
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Wieland Kuijken
Philip Pickett
Toyohiko Satoh
Barbara Schlick
1996 | Vocal & instrumental soloists
Laureates
Benedek Csalog (traverso)
First prize
Yu Kobayashi (soprano)
Second prize
Imke David (gamba)
Third prize
Hedvig Åberg (soprano)
Fourth prize
Jan Van Elsacker (tenor)
Fifth prize
Martin Schmeding (recorder)
Sixth prize
Mimè Yamahiro (baroque cello)
Seventh prize
Members of the jury
Chiara Banchini
Günther Häller
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Wieland Kuijken
Philip Pickett
Toyohiko Satoh
Barbara Schlick

Partners

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

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