Every year in May, the Queen Elisabeth Competition organises an international competition for classically trained musicians, aged between 18 and 30 years. In successive years, the Competition focuses on pianists, cellists, singers and violinists.

As the 2020 Piano Competition had to be postponed to 2021, the following cello, voice and violin competitions have also been postponed. Exceptionally, the upper age limit for candidates has been raised by one year, in order not to disadvantage the young musicians preparing for the sessions of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. From 2026, the normal age limit will apply again.

The candidates have to apply online on this webpage. The applications for the 2026 Cello Competition have closed on Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 12:00 noon GMT. The applications for the 2027 Voice Competition will open in October 2026.

We hope to welcome you in Brussels for one of our future competitions!