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.
1995 | Pianoforte
Laureates
Kikuko Ogura
First prize
Florian Birsak
Second prize
Arthur Schoonderwoerd
Third prize
Bart van Sambeek
Third prize
Members of the jury
Abraham Abreu
Jesper Christensen
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Geoffrey Lancaster
Gustav Leonhardt
Davitt Moronay
Gordon Murray
Ludger Rémy
1995 | Harpsichord
Laureates
Roberto Menichetti
Third prize
Katrina Brown
Fourth prize
Giampietro Rosato
Fourth prize
Members of the jury
Abraham Abreu
Jesper Christensen
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Geoffrey Lancaster
Gustav Leonhardt
Davitt Moronay
Gordon Murray
Ludger Rémy
1994 | Organ duo
Laureates
Antonio Galanti & Andrea Vannucchi
First prize
Annette Richrds & David Yearsley
First prize
Hadrien Jourdan
Second prize
Christophe Körber & Christian Richter
Third prize
Members of the jury
Jean Boyer
Dorthy de Rooij
Johan Huys
President of the jury
André Luy
Karl Maureen
Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini
1994 | Organ solo
Laureates
David Yearsley
First prize
Luca Antoniotti
Second prize
Roberto Menichetti
Third prize
Luca Scandali
Fourth prize
Andrea Vannucchi-Fourth prize
Fourth prize
Members of the jury
Jean Boyer
Dorthy de Rooij
Johan Huys
President of the jury
André Luy
Karl Maureen
Luigi Ferdinando Tagliavini
1993 | Ensembles
Laureates
Trio Van Beethoven
First prize
Ensemble Flûte Harmonique
Second prize
Ensemble Les Agrémens
Third prize
Ensemble Les Haulz et Les Bas
Fourth prize
Ensemble Les Haulz et Les Bas
Radio 3
Members of the jury
René Clemencic
Enrico Gatti
Johan Huys
President of the jury
Barthold Kuijken
Judith Nelson
Toyohiko Satoh
Paul Van Nevel

Partners

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

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