The Ninth NORDEM EAR-ly Ensemble Competition 2026
Helsinki, 2-3 October, in collaboration with Aria Borealis
The DEADLINE for applications is 23:59 (CET) on 15 June 2026.
This is the ninth edition of the competition EAR-ly 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
■ Held in Helsinki, Finland on 2–3 October 2026 in collaboration with Aria Borealis
■ Judged by an international jury
■ Finalists will receive masterclasses and individual feedback from the jury.
Video greeting from previous winner: Æstus
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: