Competitions and awards in the Netherlands

There are a number of national awards and competitions in the Netherlands. These are important places to present yourself to the (inter)national professional field.

Selection of national competitions in the Netherlands

The Nederlandse Muziekprijs (Netherlands Music Prize)
The biggest honour which can be bestowed on a classical musician by the Performing Arts Fund. Young Dutch musicians can apply to study for the Music Prize. Only extremely gifted musicians are considered for this. After a study period of two years the decision is made about whether or not the candidate deserves the prize.

Prinses Christina Concours
Annual national competition open to young instrumentalists and vocalists in the category classical music, jazz and composition.

Dutch Classical Talent
Development trajectory for talented young classical musicians (singers and instrumentalists). Four laureates, selected by auditions, follow a coaching program and give twelve concerts in the most important Dutch concert halls. The Classical Talent Award will be presented during the final in TivoliVredenburg.

Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Concours
Competition between students of the Dutch conservatories held in the Bimhuis prior to the Grachtenfestival. The winner gets to play a concert during the Grachtenfestival and receives € 5,000 to invest in his or her career.

Jong Talent Concours Maassluis
Category A is for talented children and young people from 8 to 18 years old. The competition is open to pianists, strings, guitarists, harpists, brass and woodwinds and vocalists. Category B is for chamber music ensembles consisting of students studying at a Dutch conservatory. Support contributions of € 300 to € 2,000 are available for the winners.

Kamermuziek Concours Gelre
Chamber Music Competition Gelre is a national competition that gives ensembles the opportunity to present themselves. A professional jury, coming from the world of ensemble playing, listens and gives constructive criticism. The competition consists of KCG for participants up to 27 years and KCG Young for participants up to 19 years. The finalists of KCG play with their ensemble in De Vereeniging in Nijmegen. Awards are masterclasses and guidance to get programmed by various stages and festivals.

Dutch Heights is a platform for awards and competitions in the field of arts and culture in the Netherlands.

International competitions in the Netherlands

Internationale Vocalisten Concours (IVC, International Vocalists Competition)
Takes place annually in Den Bosch. It is an international competition for singers who aspire to having a great international career.

Internationaal Franz Liszt Pianoconcours (International Franz Liszt Piano Competition)
Takes place every three years in TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. It is open to pianists with Franz Liszt as their speciality.

Gaudeamus Award
Competition for composers under the age of 30, in contemporary music presented at the Gaudeamus Muziekweek. The This work will be performed at the next Gaudeamus Muziekweek.

Tromp Percussion Eindhoven
Percussion festival that takes place every two years and is open to residents of the Benelux countries. 

Nederlands Vioolconcours
The Vioolconcours takes place every two years and consists of five age-categories.

Nationaal Cello Concours
Division of the Amsterdam Cello Biennale. Young Dutch or in the Netherlands residing talents compete for the main prize in three rounds. The finalists are offered a series of concerts as well.

Internationaal Van Wassenaer Concours (IVWC)
Annual competition for early music ensembles that takes place during the Utrecht Early Music Festival (Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht). The focus is alternately on early (medieval and renaissance), middle (baroque / basso continuo) and late (classical and romantic) repertoire, performed on historical instruments. In the final, a maximum of four ensembles compete for various cash prizes and a paid concert tour. All finalists will receive a masterclass voucher.

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