RULES: EAR-ly 2026

AIM AND BACKGROUND

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. The first edition of EAR-ly took place as a national competition and was organised by Stockholm Early Music Festival in Sweden in June 2008. Since 2010, the competition has become an international event arranged by NORDEM—Nordic Early Music. It is held every second year in one of the Nordic/Baltic countries, hosted by one of the network’s member festivals. Finals have previously taken place in Stockholm (2010), Oslo (2012), Skálholt (2014), Vantaa (2016), Copenhagen (2018), Riga (2020/21), and Stockholm (2022/23). 

For the purposes of EAR-ly, early music encompasses medieval, renaissance, baroque, and early classical repertoire, performed according to the principles of HIP (historically informed performance practice).

GENERAL RULES

EAR-ly 2026 is open to vocal, instrumental or mixed ensembles consisting of a minimum of three and a maximum of eight members. There is a registration fee of 50 Euro per ensemble. 

 

Note that:

  • An individual musician may compete in a maximum of two ensembles.

  • All entrants must without exception be born no earlier than 1 January 1996. 

  • Citizens or residents of an EU/EEA country, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom are welcome to apply to this edition of the competition.

  • The competition has two parts: a preliminary presentation (video) and live presentations (in Helsinki, Finland on 2–3 October 2026).

  • Files for the preliminary presentation must include a minimum of two separate works, or parts of works, with a total duration of no more than twelve minutes (see APPLICATION, below).

  • NORDEM does not cover participants’ travel or accommodation expenses.

  • Repertoire chosen for the final round must include a work written by a Nordic/Baltic early music composer or contained in a source of Nordic/Baltic origin.

 

HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS

APPLICATION

To apply, please email the relevant information to secretary@nordem.org You will be asked to fill in, attach, or provide links to the following material:

 

  1. An unedited video file, with unprocessed sound, filmed with a single camera, of minimum six and maximum twelve minutes, containing a minimum of two separate works or parts of works. Share through a link to YouTube or Vimeo, the video can be unlisted.

  2. Information about the applicant/-s and the programme:

  1. Name of the participants and details of instrumentation/vocal parts;

  2. A copy of the passport (photo page) or national ID card of each participant (including accompanists);

  3. E-mail, postal address and phone number of a contact person;

  4. Full and complete details of a programme for presentation in the final round, in performance order. The programme must include a work written by a Nordic/Baltic early music composer, or – in the case of anonymous works – contained in a source of Nordic/Baltic origin. The total length of the programme should be between 25 and 30 minutes;

  5. A biography or CV of the soloists/ensembles in English, max. 1,000 characters;

  6. Programme notes for the final presentation in English, max. 1,000 characters;

  7. A link to the ensemble’s Facebook page, Instagram page and/or website

     10. A PR picture of the participants in print quality (300 dpi/inch). Please specify the name of the photographer.
 

The DEADLINE for applications is 23:59 (CET) on 15 June 2026.

 

SELECTION

For the selection of the finalists, all applications will be evaluated by a jury consisting of NORDEM members. Members of the jury who have taught or collaborated with an applicant within the last three years will not take part in the evaluation process for that submission. The criteria for selection are musical and stylistic quality, communicative authenticity and skill, and, in the final round, stage presence and overall artistry. Up to three participants will be selected for the final presentations. The finalists will be notified of their acceptance to the finals on 30 June 2026.

 

WORKSHOPS AND FINAL PRESENTATIONS

The final presentations will take place on 2-3 October 2026 in Helsinki, Finland in collaboration with Aria Borealis. They will be held in front of an international jury and open to an audience. By taking part, participants agree that the final round of presentations may be recorded, filmed and broadcast live and/or subsequently by radio, television and internet with no fee obligation. 

 

Prior to the final presentations, the finalists will participate in one or more masterclasses led by members of the international jury. After the final round, each of the participants will also have a 15-minute feedback session with members of the jury.

 

PRIZES AND AWARDS

  • The international jury appoints one winner, awarding a prize sum of SEK 30,000 (approximately EUR 2,700).

  • The jury may also award distinctions.

  • The winner will also be be invited to perform at one or several of the NORDEM member festivals during the following seasons.