2026 International Music Competition Brussels "Grand Prize Virtuoso"


The International Music Competition Brussels "Grand Prize Virtuoso" is open to all nationalities and ages for strings, piano, wind, vocal and chamber music disciplines. Participants are required to submit video materials for the jury audition. Recording should be a fair representation of the contestants' abilities, but don't need to be of a professional quality.

A selected group of winners will receive an invitation to perform at the Studio Recital Hall at Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels in Belgium (December 21-22, 2026). Brussels is de facto the capital of the European Union. The Centre for Fine Arts is the home of the National Orchestra of Belgium, and where are held the finals of the "Queen Elisabeth Competition" considered one of the most challenging and prestigious competitions in the world. A selected winners will receive a set of digital professional photos, a 3D sculpted medal and a certificate/diploma (for free). Winners who receive an invitation to play at the winners' concert, and decide to decline the invitation and not travel , will receive their prize diploma and 3D sculped medal by post (for free).

The  International Music Competition Brussels "Grand Prize Virtuoso" is open to all nationalities and ages for strings, piano, wind, vocal and chamber music discipline: (piano, violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, recorder, french horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, piano duo, piano four-hands, mixed ensembles, female voice and male voice). Participants are required to submit video materials for the jury audition. Recording should be a fair representation of the contestants' abilities, but don't need to be of a professional quality.


Judges:

 

The audition for the jury will be evaluated through video/audio materials presented by each participant. A panel of judges evaluates and punctuates the video material submitted, and the final selections of winners is based solely on the same recordings submitted. Judges are independent, and their students are not allowed to play at the competition.

 

Scores:

From 90 to 100: 1st prize

From 80 to 89: 2nd prize

From 70 to 79: 3rd prize


Awards:


A selected group of winners will receive an invitation to perform at the Studio Recital Hall at Centre for Fine Arts of Brussels, Belgium (December 21-22, 2026). Brussels is de facto the capital of the European Union. The Centre for Fine Arts is the home of the National Orchestra of Belgium, and where are held the finals of the "Queen Elisabeth Competition" considered one of the most challenging and prestigious competitions in the world. Selected winners will receive a set of digital professional photos, a 3D sculpted medal and a certificate/diploma (for free).

 

If for any reason you are unable to attend and perform at the Awards Ceremony we will send prize certificate and a 3D sculpted medal by post (for free).


Concerts Opportunities:


During the winners' concert in Brussels, we will select winners to join solo recitals at our Artistic Director's Festival and solo concerts with orchestra in Italy.


These concerts will be remunerated, and will be under the collaboration of the International Music Competition "Grand Prize Virtuoso". 


The aim of "Promo Concert & Special Prizes" is to find performers with a strong artistic personality and stage presence. The emphasis is therefore not on the purely technical aspect of the performance, but also on the artistic charisma of the performer.


Special awards may be granted based on the artistic director recommendations.

Application Deadline:

 

Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

The results will be announced on: Tuesday, October 27, 2026. 

Repertoire Requirements:


Classical repertoire (Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Contemporary periods). Any interpretations of the classical repertoire are acceptable.

 

Eligibility:

 

Multiple winners can be chosen in each of the following age groups.

Time limits are approximate, shorter or longer videos are accepted.


 

  • Young Musician Category: 8 years old and younger; 5 minutes
  • Junior Category: 9-12 years old; 6 minutes
  • Intermediate Category: 13-15 years old; 6 minutes
  • Advanced Category: 16-18 years old; 6 minutes
  • Senior Category: no age limit; 10 minutes

 


Chamber Music (Piano four hands, piano duo and mixed ensembles)


 

  • Group A: 12 years old and younger; 5 minutes
  • Group B: 13-18 years old; 7 minutes
  • Group C: 18 years old and older; 10 minutes

 


To apply for the Competition participants must submit:


1.) Completed online Application Form.

2.) YouTube link to the video recordings.

( no need to e-mail a YouTube link if is provided in the Application Form)

3.) Application fee.

- Solo performers 185€ (+10€ fee payment amount to cover payment processing service charge).

- Duo and Ensembles 130€ per ensemble member (+10€ fee payment amount to cover payment processing service charge).

Pictures of Previous Winners' Concerts in Brussels

Rules

1. Incomplete applications including failure to pay fees will result in disqualification.

 

2. The material provided will not be returned and the inscription fee is not refundable.

 

3. The judges' decision is final and unappealable. The comments and scores of the jury will not be provided.

 

4. Winners are responsible for their own expenses (travel, housing accomodation etc.)

 

5. During the Awards Ceremony participants waive all right to television broadcasting remunarations . And non financial remunaration for their performance.

 

6. The competition is not resposible for any damage or theft.

 

7. Children under 18 years old will be responsibility of their parents or legal guardians. And must be supervised all the time by their parents or legal guardians.

 

8. “Grand Prize Virtuso ” International Music Competition reserves the right to make any changes in the rules, schedule or other information related to the competition.


9. The International Music Competition "Grand Prize Virtuoso" reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any applicant found to be: (a) violating the Grand Prize Virtuoso Policy and Competition Rules; (b) tampering or attempting to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Competition; (c) violating the terms of service, conditions of use and/or general Policy or guidelines of Grand Prize Virtuoso Competition; and/or (d) acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.


Winners must at all times behave appropriately when taking part in the Recital and observe the Competition Rules and any other Grand Prize Virtuoso International Music Competition Rules or Regulations in force at the Halls, studios and/or other locations. The International Music Competition "Grand Prize Virtuoso" reserve the right to remove from the Hall, studio or other premises or location, any Winner and/or a person (-s) accompanying the Winner who break (- s ) such rules and/or fail (- s ) to behave appropriately and to disqualify such Winner.