Young Belgian Talent

The Competition

YBT's three yearly competition has gained international renown over the last fifteen years.  However, the big achievement for our musicians is in reaching the finals itself.  Only the very best get through. 

From its inception, YBT has been about finding musicians that want to be soloists, not just instrumentalists. We look for ambitious young people between the age of 16 and 21, with open minds for receiving advice and coaching, in order to advance their career possibilities. 

YBT support can take the form of financial support and sponsorship, to professional CD and video recordings, personal coaching, specialist legal, contractual and financial advice, media training and much, much more. Via our international network of music industry professionals, YBT is there to step in with whatever help is needed wherever possible.

YBT is not just about financial sponsorship and beautiful recordings and videos! It aims to support its musicians through the good times and the difficult times too. Our personal career coaches and mentors can be invaluable, especially in times of doubt and worry.

Although the competition produces two winners (the Jury Prize winner and the Public Prize winner), each of our five finalists are equally assessed for their needs on their journey to becoming an international soloist. 

Who do we look for? We are not only looking for exceptionally talented classical musicians but for people with the right character and attitude.  We search for musicians with an extremely high degree of personal commitment; free thinkers with unending motivation and drive  and with the potential to communicate their ideas and emotions on and off the podium. In short, we look for ambassadors of excellence, people who are prepared to help out and be an example to others.

Why 'Belgian' Talent and not international?

Because our emphasis is on personal coaching and one to one support, we find it more effective to focus our resources on musicians who grew up and / or live within the network of our local music establishments and their associated network. By getting to know them more, we can better prepare them for their international solo careers while they finish their studies, either here in Belgium or abroad.

From our first round of applications, we select a minimum of fifteen candidates. Each will be asked to perform in front of our professional panel of judges, made up of representatives of the music establishment, business leaders, media professionals and personal coaches. In addition to performing, each candidate will have a short interview with the panel where they can answer questions and share their vison of the future.

Our five audition winners will go on to our live gala evening finals, where they will perform pieces of music of their own choice, to the judges and a live audience,  

The prize

The finalists of the YBT competition win the beginning of a career! This means they go home with:

  • A ‘Finalist trophy’ and 244EUR performance fee subsidy

  • Support from Young Belgian Talent VZW up until the age of 25

  • Financial advice

  • Legal advice

  • PR/Marketing support and coaching 

  • Career coaching

  • On stage presence & media coaching

  • Access to YBT financial support, typically for travel, personal coaching, master classes, summer schools, audio and video projects. etc. (the amounts are allocated annually, on a case by case basis and the availability of funds, which can vary from year to year).

  • The possibility of a CD made from professional recordings of concerts and studio performances. (subject to assessment and resources).

  • The possibility of a full high-resolution video made by internationally renowned professionals. (subject to assessment and resources).

  • Still photography portrait sessions by top, internationally renowned portrait photographer. 

  • Priority for invitation to participation in YBT sponsor concerts during the sponsorship period.

  • Possibility of concerts and concert tours, for example with Musica et Poetica (typically 7-9 concerts).

  • Access to YBT’s international partner network.

The overarching winner of the Young Belgian Talent competition is chosen by a professional jury and receives in addition:

  • The winner’s trophy

  • A one time prize of 1.000 EUR

  • Preferential access to YBT resources and budgets.

  • A minimum of 3 concerts during the sponsorship period.

  • Become a member of the Jury Panel for the following finals.

We also have a 'Public Prize' winner who is voted for by the public on the night. They receive in addition to the other finalists:

  • The 'Public Prize' trophy

  • A one time prize of 1000EUR

This is where we obtain our competition slogan: “YBT: where preparation and opportunity meet.”