International Clarinet Competition Flemish 19th Century Music

COMPETITION RULES

INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC
Flanders/Belgium
Online competition with live final in Ghent

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC PROMOTION (IMP) is preparing the 7th INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION GHENT (2027).
Since the 1st edition in Kortrijk 2021 the INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION GHENT (ICCG) became one of the main international clarinet competitions. Its prizewinners became international soloists and/or obtained important positions in world-leading orchestras. IMP knows how important a good preparation can be, therefore it organizes a compact online competition focused on Belgian music: INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC

Candidates send a video with a piece of their choice (chosen from the list below).  An international jury will select maximum 10 of them for a live final in Ghent (January 17-18, 2026).  In addition to participating in the final these 10 players will be able to follow masterclasses with (former) jury members of the ICCG.

The first ranked laureate will be able to perform with Slovak Sinfonietta in their normal concert series (Zilina, Slovakia).

Registration Conditions

The INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC is an organization of INTERNATIONAL MUSIC PROMOTION (IMP). International Music Promotion is a Belgian legal non-profit organization.
This competition is open to all clarinetists from any nationality who were born after 1 January 1993. No exceptions will be considered for the age requirement, nor nationality, color, religion or conviction.
Prizewinners of the INTERNATIONAL CLARNET COMPETITION GHENT are excluded from participation.
The competition is an online competition with a live final in Ghent (see above).

Inscription

The closing date for the application of the online competition (with the video recording) is December 7, 2025. Applications can only be made through the website of International Music Promotion.
The following documents needs to be uploaded into the registration form:

  • an official document confirming the age of the candidate (birth certificate or copy of passport or identity card)
  • a short biography: max. 1400 characters in continuous English text (studies, schools, teachers, professional activities)
  • 1 recent photo (max 10MB)
  • proof of payment of registration fee (75€ net, cost shall be borne by the candidate). The application fee is non-refundable.
  • videorecording of chosen program via hidden YouTube link.

Only online applications will be accepted!

Registration fee

The registration fee for the ‘INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC ’  is set at 75€ (seventy five euro) that is the only participation cost.
This amount must be deposited in (Bank info- KBC)

International Music Promotion vzw
Burgemeester De Schryverhof 13
9080 Lochristi
Belgium
IBAN BE22 7350 3737 0347
BIC  KREDBEBB

(text : Registration Fee ‘INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC’ + Name candidate)

Cheques will NOT be accepted. The registration fee is not refundable in case of non-participation in the competition.
No mail communication will be answered. You must add the proof of payment in the application form.

Arrival, accommodation and transport

Only the 10 selected candidates will be invited for the masterclasses.
In special cases (such as the coronavirus pandemic), Belgian law is 100% decisive. Mandatory cancellation of the ‘live event’ due to such circumstances cannot result in a refund of the registration fees..

IMP canhelp you to find cheap hotels/hostels/B&B, …This list can be obtained from the secretary upon request (). The selected candidates are RESPONSIBLE for their OWN booking and payment of these rooms and transport to and from the events.
The candidates who come to Ghent for the final must take out their OWN health and personal insurance for the duration of their participation so for the Clarinets On Stage Weekend Flemish Music Ghent. The organization of the competition shall under no circumstances be held responsible for injury, harm or illness of the candidate or his/her/X belongings during his/her/X stay in Ghent/Belgium.

The finalists will be informed exactly where and when they are expected to be. The rehearsal with the pianist will take place in the Royal Conservatory (the place of the total event).
The finalists will present themselves at the inscription desk when they arrive in Ghent.

Program 

Candidates must choose for the online competition 1 piece from the following list (all Hofmeister Verlag Leipzig).

The candidate sends the hidden Youtube videolink and the information through the website.
The piece in the final is the same as the one they performed in the selection.
The candidates will receive their results by email at last on December 15, 2025, on the same date the selected candidates will be announced on the website of IMP (www.international-music-promotion.be).

Prizes

IMP and the INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION GHENT organize this competition as a preparation for the 7° INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION GHENT.
The 5 prizewinners can use the title LAUREATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC, 2026 .

The first ranked laureate will be able to perform with Slovak Sinfonietta in their normal concert series (Zilina, Slovakia).
The participation in the masterclasses and/or the concert during Clarinets On Stage Weekend Flemish Music Ghent are the prizes of the competition.  Additional prizes can be offered.
The masterclasses and the concert are open to the public.  The concert of COS can be recorded.  In that case the laureates will get a recording that they can use as promotion material.
There will be no payment for performances.

Prizes:

  • 1st Prize:
    • Concert with Slovak Sinfonietta season 2026-2027
    • Recital during Clarinetfest 2026 in Incheon, South Korea
    • 1000€
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 2nd Prize:
    • 500€
    • 1 year free membership of the International Clarinet Association
  • 3rd Prize:
    • 250€
    • 1 year free membereship of the International Clarinet Association

Jury

The jury will consist of a number of international soloist and pedagogues.
The decisions made by the jury are incontestable and cannot be disputed.

Masterclasses

IMP will organize masterclasses for maximum of 10 selected candidates in Ghent (January 17-18, 2026).The travel- and hotel costs are to be borne by the candidate. 

Pianists/accompaniments

The organization of the INTERNATIONAL CLARINET COMPETITION FLEMISH 19TH CENTURY MUSIC will provide pianists for the recitals during Clarinets On Stage. There will be enough rehearsal time. But of course candidates can also bring their own pianist at their own cost.

Dispute

In the event of a dispute, only the Dutch-language regulations shall apply. No dispute is possible against this.

Participation in the competition

Participation in the competition means complete acceptance of the rules and regulations.

Privacy

The personal data of the candidate is only provided to the administration office of International Music Promotion / IMP and is only used for its organizations. Personal data is protected against irregular processing and is never passed on to parties with whom IMP has no processing agreement. The candidate can always request the personal data from IMP, view it and if necessary, correct it. The uploaded biography and photo of the selected candidates can be published in the program book Clarinets On Stage Weekend Flemish Music Ghent.