Young Horn Player 2026
The 26th International Jura Jurjāns Competition “Young Horn Player 2026” will take place in Ērgļi from 23 to 24 April this year, and will be dedicated to the 165th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Latvian composer Jura Jurjāns.
The competition will bring together young horn-playing talents from Latvia and abroad. Its aim is to promote the professional growth of young musicians, foster the development of horn playing, and honour Jura Jurjāns’ contribution to Latvia’s musical culture. Students of music schools and professional secondary music schools are invited to participate. They will compete in 6 age groups:
Group A – those born in 2016 or later,
Group B – those born in 2014 and 2015,
Group C – those born in 2012 and 2013,
Group D – those born in 2010 and 2011,
Group E – those born in 2008 and 2009,
Group F – those born in 2006 and 2007.
The competition will take place in two rounds, and the participants’ performances will be assessed by an international jury according to uniform criteria. The competition will open on 23 April at 10:00 a.m. in the Great Hall of Ērgļi Community Centre, followed by a draw to determine the order of the participants’ performances. Both rounds of the competition will be open to the public, giving audiences the opportunity to enjoy the performances of the young artists.
The best participants in each age group will advance to the second round, while the laureates will be honoured at the closing concert on 24 April at 5:00 p.m. The concert will feature the first-prize winners and other participants selected by the jury.
The competition is organised by the association “BalTfolk” in cooperation with the Ērgļi Association Administration of Madona Municipality.
PROGRAMME
23 April, Ērgļi Community Centre, Great Hall
09:30 Opening of the “Young Horn Player 2026” competition
09:50 Draw for the performance order for Groups A, B, C and D
10:30 First round of the competition for Groups A, B, C and D
14:00 Announcement of the results for Groups A, B, C and D
14:10 Draw for the performance order for Groups E and F
15:00 First round of the competition for Groups E and F
17:00 Announcement of the results
17:10 Horn choir rehearsal
18:00 Evening of fellowship for the young horn players at the Brothers Jurjāns Memorial Museum “Meņģeļi”
24 April, Ērgļi Community Centre, Great Hall
09:30 Second round of the competition for Groups A, B, C and D
13:00 Second round of the competition for Groups E and F
16:00 Horn choir rehearsal
17:00 Closing of the competition, presentation of awards to the laureates, and a concert by the laureates and the Horn Choir.
Admission is free.
