On 2–3 October 2026, young musicians will gather in Helsinki for the ninth edition of NORDEM’s EAR-ly Ensemble Competition. This year’s finalists are il Triello, Ensemble Abelia and Trio Tenorizans.
The biennial EAR-ly competition is organised by NORDEM and, for the first time this year, in collaboration with Aria Borealis and Helsinki Early Music Festival. The competition aims to stimulate interest in early music among students and young professional musicians, and to encourage the formation of new ensembles, particularly in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
The final concert will take place on 3 October at 12.00 noon at Huopalahden kirkko in Helsinki (Tickets here). The performances will be assessed by an international jury consisting of Kati Debretzeni (UK), Saale Fischer (Estonia) and Veerle Deklerck (Belgium). The finalists will also participate in masterclasses. The winning ensemble will receive SEK 30,000 and be invited to perform at one or more NORDEM member festivals.