9th NORDEM EAR-ly Nordic Baltic Competition for Young Early Music Ensembles - Helsinki, 2-3 October 2026
Finalists: il Triello (FI), Ensemble Abelia (EE/CH) and Trio Tenorizans (NL)
Listen to the EAR-ly Final Concert in Huopalahden kirkko, Helsinki
on 3 October, 12.00 noon! Buy your concert ticket here!
Jury members:
Kati Debretzeni (GB)
Veerle Declerck (BE)
Saale Fischer (EE & NORDEM representative)
In collaboration with Aria Borealis and Helsinki Early Music Festival (HEMF).
Since its inception in 2008, the overall aim of EAR-ly is to stimulate an interest in early music among students and young professional musicians and to encourage the formation of new early music ensembles, particularly in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Rules and full details available HERE!
Download the EAR-ly poster as PDF
PRIZES AND AWARDS
■ The winning ensemble will be awarded a prize of 30 000 SEK
■ The winner will be invited to perform at one or more NORDEM member festivals
FINALS
■ The final performance will take place in Huopalahden kirkko, Helsinki, on 3 October.
■ Judged by an international jury
■ Finalists will receive masterclasses and individual feedback from the jury.
Information for the finalists:
Friday 2 October, 16.30-20.30: Masterclasses [Huopalahti Church]
Saturday 3 October 08.00-10.00: Warm-up rehearsals (40 minutes/ensemble) [Huopalahti Church]
Saturday 3 October 10.00-12.00: Instrument tuning/break
Saturday 3 October 12.00-14.00: FINAL CONCERT [Huopalahti Church]
Saturday 3 October 20.00-20.30: EAR-ly Award Ceremony [Music Center Lowe Foyer]
----
Watch the video greeting from the previous EAR-ly winner Æstus here!
Previous winners of EAR-ly:
2022/23 - Æstus (Finland/Estonia)
2020/21 - Jonatan Bougt (Sweden)
2018 - Clara Guldberg Ravn (Denmark)
2016 - Juho Myllylä (Finland)
2014 - Bastard Barock (Sweden)
2012 - Duo White Sparrow (Finland)
2010 - Norwegian Cornett & Sackbuts (Norway)
2008 - Dohyo Sol & Magnus Andersson (Sweden)
Previous promotion material: