Information

A Global First in Music Excellence: The "Zoé Crampon" Postgraduate Clarinet Program Announced

GHENT, BELGIUM 


On March 2, 2026, a historic partnership was forged to redefine the future of woodwind education. Four titans of the musical world—International Music Promotion (IMP), Ghent University College (KASK & Conservatory), the legendary French instrument maker Buffet Crampon, and the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel—officially signed an agreement to launch the Postgraduate Clarinet Zoé Crampon.

 

Unrivaled Mentorship and Artistry

 

Starting in September 2026, this elite program will open its doors to a maximum of five world-class young clarinetists. This is not merely an academic course; it is a high-level artistic incubator. Students will receive direct mentorship from the absolute masters of the instrument, including:  Martin Fröst, Nicolas Baldeyrou, Pascal Moraguès and others

In a unique cross-institutional collaboration, participants will also perform chamber music alongside the artists-in-residence at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, working under the guidance of the Chapel’s renowned Masters.

 

A Legacy Reborn

 

The program’s name honors Zoé Crampon, a pivotal figure in musical history. In 1836, her marriage to Jean-Louis Buffet (son of founder Denis Buffet-Auger) united two legacies to create Buffet Crampon—the brand that has dominated the clarinet world for nearly two centuries.

 

The Power of the Partnership

 

This "world-first" project leverages the specific strengths of each partner:

  • Buffet Crampon: The world leader in wind instruments provides the faculty and financial backing.
  • IMP (Organizer of the International Clarinet Competition Ghent): Manages the logistics, supervision, and professional concert cycles.
  • KASK & Conservatory / Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel: Provide the prestigious academic and performance framework.

 

"This collaboration offers unprecedented artistic possibilities, merging industrial heritage with the highest level of contemporary performance."

 

The “Postgraduate Clarinet Zoé Crampon” is a project initiated by International Music Promotion (www.international-music-promotion.beand www.clarinetcompetitionghent.com). At the initiative of IMP, a prestigious partnership was developed with Buffet Crampon Paris (www.eu.buffet-crampon.com), the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel (www.musicchapel.org), and Ghent University College/KASK & Conservatory (www.schoolofartsgent.be).

The program (one-year postgraduate course) was incorporated—as a separate entity—into the postgraduate structure of Ghent University College/KASK & Conservatory.

A maximum of 5 international students holding a master’s degree will be admitted (after auditions) to the program; they pay the same tuition fees as “regular” postgraduate students (which was €4,553 for the 2025–26 academic year; the final amounts for the academic year 2026-27 will be determined in the month of May 2026).

The specialized clarinet program is led by top soloists and pedagogues provided by Buffet Crampon;

  • Martin Fröst : international soloist
  • Nicolas Baldeyrou: Principal clarinet ‘Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France’ & professor at the ‘Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique et de Danse Lyon’.
  • Nele Delafonteyne : Principal clarinet ‘Orkest Opera & Ballet Vlaanderen’ & professor at the ‘KASK & Conservatorium Ghent’.
  • Carlos Ferreira: Principal clarinet ‘Koninklijk Concertgebouw Orkest Amsterdam’ & professor at the ‘Conservatoire de Versailles’.
  • Yehuda Gilad: Professor at the ‘Thornton School of Music/University of Southern California’ and the ‘Colburn School of Music’.
  • Florent Héau: Professor ‘Conservatoire de Lausanne’.
  • Patrick Messina: Principal clarinet at the ‘Orchestre National de Radio France’ & professor at the ‘Ecole Normale de Paris’.
  • Pascal Moragues : Principal clarinet ‘Orchestre de Paris’ & professor at the ‘Conservatoire Supérieur de Musique et de Danse Paris’.
  • Olivier Patey : Principal clarint at the ‘Koninklijk Concertgebouw Orkest Amsterdam’ & professor ‘Conservatorium Amsterdam’.
  • Floriane Tardy: Principal clarinet at the ‘Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse’.
  • Ronald Van Spaendonck : Professor at the ‘Conservatoire Royal de Bruxelles’ and the ‘Conservatoire Royal de Mons’.

Coördinatie :

Eddy Vanoosthuyse, Former principal clarinet ‘Brussels Philharmonic’ & professor ‘KASK & Conservatorium Ghent’ and the ‘Fontys Conservatorium Tilburg’.

The chamber music program is led by the Masters of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and is developed in collaboration with the Chapel’s “artists in residence.” The clarinet masters will also provide support for this specific component. This prestigious collaboration makes it possible to study the vast clarinet chamber music repertoire at the highest level.

The program includes concerts in Belgium and abroad. These will take place with the “artists in residence” of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel or other partners, ensembles, and/or orchestras.

The entire program is managed effectively by Eddy Vanoosthuyse, both in terms of structure and in terms of coordination between the partners.

Thanks to this exclusive partnership, this clarinet program is unique in the world.

 

How does it work?

Official registration takes place via the HoGent/KASK & Conservatory website. You will be asked to provide certain information there. The information can be found at https://schoolofartsgent.be/en/read-watch-listen/internationaal-partnerschap-lanceert-postgraduaat-clarinet-zoé-crampon

Here you will generally find the same information as indicated above. By clicking on the link at the top left of this page (musical performance practice), you will be directed to the general page about the postgraduate program.
Under ‘read more about the program,’ you will find basic information about the postgraduate program.  The ‘Postgraduate Clarinet Zoé Crampon’ is a separate program; you will find it listed below.

If you scroll further down, you will see ‘ENROLMENT’, where you will again see a distinction between the regular postgraduate program and the ‘POSTGRADUATE CLARINET ZOE CRAMPON.’ By clicking on that, you will find all the information you need to register for the entrance exams. In addition to a statement of purpose, you will be asked to upload a video of approximately 30 minutes (program of your choice via youtube). A jury (including at least one of the clarinet masters) will determine who is invited to the “live audition” in Ghent. From there, a maximum of 5 students will be selected to enroll in the program.

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to .

Specific questions regarding the application documents should be directed to Paul Lamont ().

The clarinet program will take place at the Biezekapelstraat Campus (building on Hoogpoort) in the beautiful historic center of the City of Ghent; the chamber music program will take place in the buildings of the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Waterloo.

Although Buffet Crampon is one of the key partners in this project, everyone is, of course, free to choose their own brand and system of clarinets. Candidates admitted to the program are also free to choose their own brand.

In addition to this project, International Music Promotion is also the organizer of the ‘International Clarinet Competition Ghent’; there will be no connection between the two projects during the organization of the ‘7th International Clarinet Competition Ghent’. Both projects are completely independent of one another. 

!!! If you want to apply for this postgraduate don't waite to start the process because you need to registrate first at HoGent (University College). After this you will receive an email with the link to apply for the Postgraduate Clarinet Zoé Crampon. Deadline to apply for this postgraduate is May 22, 2026!!!!