International Junior Clarinet Competition Ghent

Competition Rules

  1. Participants information
    The ‘INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR CLARINET COMPETITION GHENT 2026  is open to young clarinetists.
    Participants born after January 1, 2007 are admitted without conditions except for the clarinetquartets
  2. Competition Location
    The competition will take place on January 17 & 18, 2026 at the Royal Conservatory Ghent (KASK & Conservatorium)/ Belgium. Participants must register when they arrive at the location.
  3. Categories and participation requirements
    The competition has three categories in which participants may compete:
    A) Junior category (born on and after January 1, 2013)
    B) Intermediate category (born between  January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012)
    C) Senior category (born between  January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2009).
    D) Clarinetquartet (there is no limitation in age, but candidates may not be inscribed in a higher professional education in a university or conservatory (bachelor, master, DMA or PhD, artist diploma or sort like)).  The group will be evaluated following the age of the participants.
  4. Program
    Participants have to prepare ONE composition of their choice, music by Flemish composers is recommended but not mandatory. Playing Flemish music will not influence the result but may result in a  special ‘ Flemish Music prize’.
    Participants who started with clarinet AFTER the age of 10 may apply to participate in a different category than their age category.  A special document is required from the director of the participant’s music academy or music school. The competition board is able to accept this or not. Participants are allowed to enter a higher age category, they have to inform the organization of that choice. Once they have chosen for this option, it cannot be changed afterwards.
  5. Competition Format
    The competition consists of one round per category, in a pre-determined order in front of a professional jury.
  6. The Jury
    The jury consists of international specialists.
    The organization may choose only one jury member that is not a clarinetist.
    The chairperson and the secretary are not required to give marks, and are therefore not required to be clarinet specialists.
    The decision of the jury is final.
  7. Jury Limitations
    Jury members (of all categories) are not permitted to allocate marks and vote for :
    A) Current students (who have been a student of the specified juror for at least 1 year)
    B) Past students (who have been a student of the specified juror for at least 1 year)
    C) Family members
  8. Accompanists and page turners
    The organizers will provide accompanists if needed. The rehearsal with the accompanist will take place on the day of the competition. The participants will be notified in advanced of the time and location of the rehearsal and their assigned competition time. The maximum time of rehearsals will be the same for all participants.
    Participants are allowed to play with their own accompanist;  provided they notify the organization at least 3 weeks before the competition date. However, the organization will  not provide financial compensation for any private accompanists (nor fee, nor costs).
    The organization will not provide page turners (not for private accompanists, nor accompanists provided by the organization).
    The teacher of the student may not be present on stage at any time.
  9. Allocated performance time
    Due to time constraints, judges may ask a participant to stop at any given time during the performance.  This interruption will not affect the results or chances of  the candidate in any way.
    The maximum allocated time is:
    A) Junior category: maximum 6 minutes
    B) Intermediate category: maximum 10 minutes
    C) Senior category: maximum 15 minutes. In the case of a work exceeding the allocated performance time, the jury may request the participant to perform any part of the piece.
    D) Clarinet Quartets : maximum 15 minutes. In case of a work exceeding the allocated performance time, the jury may request the participants to perform any part of the piece.
  10. Competition order
    The competition will take place in the following order :
    1. Junior category 
    2. Intermediate category 
    3. Senior category 
    4. Clarinet quartet (random order)

      Alphabetical order will be according to the first letter of the official last name of the participant.The organization will draw lots to determine where in the alphabet the competition will commence.
      The order of the competition  will be given to all participants before the rehearsal. Participants are required to be present at least one hour before the allocated  performance time.
      If a participant choses to play with one of the organization appointed accompanists, he/she/X is required to be present for the rehearsal at least 30 minutes in advance.  It is the responsibility of each participant to make sure that he/she/X is on time for the scheduled rehearsal. Under no circumstances will rehearsals be rescheduled. If a participant is late for his/her/X stage performance, he/she/X will be eliminated from the competition.
  11. Entrance fee and application
    Inscriptions are only online (Google Form) and candidates must apply before December 7, 2025. 
    The competition inscription  fee is  25€ (for individual inscription), quartet inscription is 50€ for the group. If a candidate inscribes for a quartet and a solo, it is necessary to pay both fees (solo fee & clarinetquartet fee). This must be paid BEFORE December 7, 2025 on the account number: Bank info (KBC)
    International Music Promotion vzw
    Burgemeester De Schryverhof 13
    9080 Lochristi
    Belgium
    IBAN BE22 7350 3737 0347
    BIC  KREDBEBB
  12. Scores
    The participant is required to bring an ORIGINAL copy and 2 photocopied scores (for quartets 4 photocopied scores) of the chosen work to the competition and deliver it at the desk at the moment of the inscription (also if the participant plays with a private pianist).  All original scores will be given back at the proclamation on the day of the competition.
    Participants who will perform with the pianist of the organization send the pianopart of the chosen piece to  before December 7, 2025. If the organization did not receive this mail, participation will be denied participation even if the inscription fee is paid.  In that case, the inscription fee will not be refunded.
    Registered mail about the competition (inscription and/or sheetmusic)  will NOT be accepted.
    Failure to adhere to the requirements will nullify your application.
    The chosen work may NOT be changed after the application has been submitted.
  13. Public Performance
    The competition is open to the public. Accompanists and family members of participants are also encouraged to listen to other participants.
  14. Results and feedback
    The results will be announced after the jury have deliberated. This will take place after each of the three categories.  Participants are required to be present at this time to receive diplomas and prizes.
    After the winners are announced from each respective category, the judges will be available for feedback.
  15. Prizes
    The winner of each category will receive cash prizes.

    Senior category:
  • 1st prize:
    • €500
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 2nd prize:
    • €300
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 3rd prize:
    • € 200
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association

Intermediate category:

  • 1st prize:
    • €250
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 2nd prize:
    • €150
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 3rd prize:
    • €100
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association

Junior category:

  • 1st prize:
    • €150
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 2nd prize:
    • €100
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 3rd prize:
    • €50
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association

Clarinetquartets

  • 1° prize 200€
  • 2° prize 100€
  • 3° prize 50€


Additional prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the organization.
The jury reserves the right to withhold a prize.
The first three laureates of each category may use the title of ‘Laureate of the International Junior Clarinet Competition Ghent 2026’.
The overall winners of each category of the International Junior Competition Ghent 2026 can be offered the opportunity to perform in a concert, organized by International Music Promotion.  Arrangements about this possibility will be made between IMP and the prizewinner. If this concert is during the Clarinets On Stage, FLEMISH MUSIC GHENT, it will be announced on the moment of the proclamation.

16. Instruments permitted
The Junior Clarinet Competition is primarily organized for B-flat and A clarinet, but performances on  E-flat -, Alto – and Bass clarinet are also encouraged.
For Clarinetquartets all combinations of clarinets are admitted, no other added instruments are allowed.
17. Recordings
No recordings of any kind will be allowed of the performance without specific prior consent from the organization.
The organization may decide to record any part of the competition, and maintain exclusive rights to all recorded materials.
18. Organizational Indemnity
The organization does not take responsibility for any accidents that may occur in and around the buildings where the competition takes place or on the way to the competition/rehearsal. This is applicable to participants, accompanists, family members and page turners. Participants are always responsible for themselves and their material during the trip to the competition and back and in the building. No fees will be paid for transport, housing, catering or whatever.
19. Copyright
The organization will take responsibility for all copyright expenses, provided that the participant adhere to all rules and regulations. Participants have to play from original material.
20. Privacy
International Music Promotion vzw (the official organizer of the competition) treats and protects with care all personal information that is provided through the inscription form on the website. This information is saved in digital files that only can be accessed by the administrative and artistic manager. The information will only be used to process the inscription.
21. Adherence to rules and regulations
By  entering the competition, participants agree to adhere to all the above stipulated rules and regulations. In case of a dispute, only the Dutch regulations shall be valid.