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Welcome to our FAQ page
Below you will find the answers to the questions that are frequently asked by the public, as well as frequent questions by candidates. If you do not find the answer to your question, please contact us :
our contacts.
Questions regarding the public
Are all rounds of the Competition open to the public?
With the exception of the preselection process, all rounds of the Queen Elisabeth Competition are open to the public. To find out more about the rounds of the Competition, see the page on
Competition proceedings.
What kinds of music can I expect to hear during the Competition?
The repertoire the candidates have to prepare is very wide-ranging and can vary according to the discipline. To find out more about the repertoire for a particular competition, see the
Competitions menu.
Can the candidates choose their own programmes?
Each candidate chooses a programme in accordance with the requirements of the Artistic Committee. For some parts of the programme, the choice is completely free; others are compulsory or must meet certain criteria.
When are candidates allowed to use a score?
Usually, candidates must perform their programmes from memory. The unedited compulsory works, however, as well as certain contemporary works, can be performed using a score. Traditionally, it is also normal to perform certain works with a score - in chamber music or oratorio, for example.
Why are new compulsory works included in the Competition?
When Eugène Ysaÿe drew up his initial proposals, one of the things he wanted to hear was young musicians performing works they had prepared without the aid of a teacher. He was, moreover, a great advocate of new, contemporary music. That is why two new works are compulsory in each instrumental competition: a solo work in the semi-final and a work with orchestral accompaniment in the final. These new works are either commissioned or selected on the basis of a composition competition.
Where can I find the programme for the session I am going to attend?
The programmes prepared by the candidates can be found in the general programme book for the Competition and on our website. Candidates don’t perform all of the programme they have prepared: for each round, a selection is made by the members of the jury. The works that will actually be performed are announced in the venue before the candidate’s performance.
The programme book is on sale at Flagey and at Bozar during the Competition. It can also be purchased in our
webshop.
How do I get the Competition programme?
The programme is on sale at Flagey and at Bozar during the Competition. It can also be purchased in our
webshop.
How does a session of the Competition differ from a traditional concert or recital?
Basically, there is no great difference between a session of the Competition and a traditional concert. Participation in a Competition, however, demands intense concentration on the part of the candidates and the jury. Given what is at stake in the competition for these young musicians and the level of stress this can involve, it is especially important that that concentration should be respected.
Can I bring a child to the Competition?
Children are welcome, but it is very important that they don’t disturb the concentration either of the candidates or of the members of the jury. Out of respect for all concerned, please be particularly vigilant. And please note that it is not always possible to leave the venue discreetly.
Are there particular customs to be respected?
Just like at a traditional concert, it is usual to applaud at the end of each work and not to applaud between movements of a particular work.
The candidates’ performances are recorded. So it is particularly important to avoid any intrusive sounds (e.g. telephones or coughing).
Can I take photographs or record during the performances?
It is absolutely forbidden to film, to take photographs, or to record the candidates’ performances. All the performances can be watched live and on demand on our website. Photographs taken by the Competition’s photographers will also be published on our website.
Is there a dress code for attendance at the Competition?
There is no special dress code; for the final, however, it is normal to dress fairly smartly.
When and how can I book seats?
It is usually possible to make bookings from late January or early February. The exact dates are published on our website. Bookings are not dealt with by the Competition’s Secretariat, but by Flagey and Bozar (online, by telephone, or in person) :
how to bookAre there reduced-price tickets?
Reduced-price tickets are available for people under 26 years of age. It is also possible to buy last-minute tickets at very reasonable prices.
How are the sessions of the Competition organised?
At Flagey, the sessions usually start at 15.00 and 20.00 and last roughly three hours, with a 30-minute interval.
At BOZAR, the final evenings start at 20.15 and last a little over two hours, with a 30-minute interval. The concert hall opens about 30 minutes before the session starts.
What happens if I arrive late?
If you arrive late, you will be guided by the venue’s staff, who will tell you when it is possible to enter the auditorium. Please note that if you arrive late you may be directed to a different seat from the one you had booked.
Are there places to eat and drink nearby?
There are restaurants and bars in the neighbourhood of place Flagey and of the Palais des Beaux-Arts (Bozar).
At Flagey, the bar is open from 14.00 and during the intervals.
At Bozar, the bar is open during the interval.
At Bozar, you can also visit the Café Victor or the Bozar Restaurant, both of which are accessible via the foyer.
How do I get to Flagey or Bozar?
See here for maps showing the locations of
Flagey and
Bozar.
Can I bring a bag or an instrument into the auditorium?
The following links provide information on this from
Flagey and
Bozar.
How can I follow the Competition if I can’t make it to Flagey or Bozar?
If you don’t have an opportunity to come and listen to the candidates in one of the Brussels venues, please note that almost all of the competition is broadcast live and pre-recorded, on radio, television, and the Internet. A few weeks before the start of the competition, more detailed information is made available in the
Competitions menu.
How and where can I hear a laureate again?
You have been bowled over by one of the laureates and you would like to hear him or her again? Or maybe you would like to follow the progress of the laureates of a particular competition? You can find all the performances of each competition on our website in the
Watch and listen menu. You will also find a list of the many concerts given by the laureates in Belgium and abroad in our
Calendar.
How can we become a host family?
Being a
host family is a very enriching experience. If you would like to provide accommodation for a young musician, please get in touch by
e-mail.
How can I support the Queen Elisabeth Competition?
There are various ways of supporting the Competition: by becoming a host family, by making a donation (donations of €40 or more are tax-deductible), by becoming a patron or sponsor, by buying business seats, etc. You will find detailed information via the
Support us menu.
Can I make a bequest in favour of the Queen Elisabeth Competition?
If you would like to leave some or all of your estate to the Competition, we would like to express our gratitude here and now. You will find more information on the steps to be taken via this
link.
Questions regarding the candidates
When is the deadline for the submission of applications?
The deadline for applications is usually 12 noon GMT on the last Wednesday of November.
Do I need to send letters of recommendation?
There is no need to send letters of recommendation supporting your candidature.
How do I apply?
To apply, you must fill in the application form on our website, which is available from the end of October.
I am a laureate of another competition. Must I go through the preselection process?
Yes: being a laureate of another competition does not give you direct access to the first round. All candidates who wish to take part in the Competition must submit videos for the preselection process.
Can I take part in the Competition more than once?
It is possible to take part in the Competition more than once.
You may take part in the preselection process as many times as you want.
However, you may not take part more than twice in the first round of the same discipline.
If you are a finalist, you may not take part again in the same discipline.
Can I apply if I am younger or older than the age set out in the rules?
No, no exceptions are considered.
When will I know whether I have been accepted?
Candidates are informed whether they have been accepted or not at the latest on 15 March of the year of the Competition for which they have applied.
When must I arrive in Brussels?
Do I need to arrange accommodation?
No. Host families will be delighted to accommodate you, free of charge, and to support you while you are a candidate. This accommodation is only provided for candidates. If you wish to be accompanied, you may opt for another kind of accommodation (e.g. with friends or in a hotel). In that case, any expenditure will be your own responsibility.
Up to what date can I make changes to my programme?
Once the deadline for applications has passed, you may no longer change your programme, unless the Artistic Committee asks you to do so.
If you have already submitted your application and the deadline has not yet passed, you may ask to change your programme in an e-mail addressed to
application[at]queenelisabethcompetition.be.
Why must I be able to provide the scores of the works on my programme?
We ask you to be able to provide a copy of your scores in case we need to transmit them to pianist accompanists, the members of the jury, or the media recording the Competition.
Can I interpret some works using a score?
In each round all works must be performed from memory, with the exception of the compulsory unpublished works in the semi-final and the final. A candidate may ask to perform some contemporary works using a score. The Artistic Committee has the authority to allow this. A request of this kind must be sent to
application[a]queenelisabethcompetition.be by 15 March 2025 at the latest.
To what pitch is the piano tuned?
The piano is always tuned to A = 442Hz.
May I tune my instrument to another pitch than A = 442Hz?
It is possible, but please remember that the piano is always attuned to A = 442Hz.
Must I play/sing the repeats?
Unless specifically stated otherwise in the rules, candidates are free to play/sing or not to play/sing repeats; they must, however, take this into account in timing the overall duration of their performance.
Can I be accompanied by my own personal pianist?
The Competition makes pianists available to the candidates of the violin, cello and voice sessions, but you may, of course, perform with your own personal pianist. If you wish to be accompanied by your own personal pianist, that pianist must be present from the first round.
Do I need to provide a page-turner if I am accompanied by my own personal pianist?
No, the competition provides page-turners for all the pianist accompanists.
Can I change instrument and/or bow during the rounds?
You are free to change instrument or bow between pieces. But you must inform the Competition in advance.
When and how must I pay my application fee?
Once you have filled in your application form, you will be redirected to the payment page. Your application will be formally approved automatically once the payment has been made. It is not possible to pay before the form is completely filled in. The payment is secured by payment provider Mollie and can be done by credit card, PayPal or Bancontact.
Videos for the preselection processWhat are the technical requirements for videos for the preselection process?
Please note that these requirements may vary from one competition to another
(see the rules for the particular competition).
In general, it is strongly recommended that the recording should be of professional quality, with a fixed camera angle. It is imperative that your hands and face are visible when you play.
Each work, or, in the case of a work with more than one movement, each movement, must be recorded in a single take. Each work or movement must be uploaded separately.
Can I submit videos that were not recorded in the same place or at the same time?
Yes.
What do you mean by a ‘recent recording’?
The video should be representative of the way you currently play.
For the preselection process, can I include works that are also in my programme for the public rounds?
In general: yes. But please note that this may vary from one competition to another
(see the rules for the particular competition).
Can I send YouTube links instead of files?
No, you must send us your files via the application form on our website.