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Curator Anneleen Lenaerts gives young musicians a nudge at her renowned chamber music festival! Enlist now for the Big Little Music Competition. All (semi)finalists are rewarded with a free masterclassic and mini concert at Big Little Music 2026. The winning ensemble will be offered a concert at Music Centre De Bijloke in Ghent.

Introduction

Big Little Music Competition is the chamber music competition of Muziekcentrum De Bijloke in Ghent. The ingredients of this third edition: absolute gems from three centuries of chamber music and excited musicians on the edge of their seats. Curator Anneleen Lenaerts offers young, promising chamber music ensembles the opportunity to present themselves to an enthusiastic audience.

On Friday 23 January 2026 four ensembles will play the final in the Kraakhuis concert hall of Muziekcentrum De Bijloke. Four finalists – duos, trios or any other ensemble of any size – will each propose a program of 30 minutes and will let you hear that they are ready for tomorrow's concert stage of. The jury is presided by Anneleen Lenaerts. The winning ensemble gets offered a concert at Muziekcentrum De Bijloke in the 2025-2026 concert season. The finalists will also have a chance to win the public prize, offered by vdk bank, and a concert in the MIM Brussels Lunch concerts series.

Details & regulations (EN)

Who?

• Competition open to chamber music ensembles of any nationality
• Musicians must be at least 18 years old (the average age limit of the ensemble is 30 years)
• Size of the ensemble is unlimited

Let's (en)roll!

In order to enroll, you need:

• A programme for the semifinal (30')
• A programme for the final (30')
• A link to a music video featuring your ensemble
• A link to a video of a short pitch (maximum 2’) introducing yourselves and your ensemble.

To the enrollment form

Calendar

• Mo 09.06.2025 – Tu 30.09.2025 (23:59) online registration
• Mo 01.12.2025 results preselection
• Th 22.01.2026 10:00 – 17:00 semifinals
• Fr 23.01.2026 11:00 – 16:00 masterclasses semifinalists
• Fr 23.01.2026 11:00 – 22:00 finals

Semifinals, masterclasses and finals are public and will be held at Music Centre De Bijloke in Ghent

Questions?

Liesbeth Peelman | programmer young audiences; coordinator talent & development
E - blmcompetition@debijloke.be

with the support of vdk bank and MIM Brussel