CSBF Next/Gen 2026.
CSBF NextGen 2026: Selected Ensembles & Event Schedule
We are thrilled to unveil the selected ensembles and schedule for CSBF NextGen 2026!
Out of 32 applications representing an extraordinary level of international talent and artistic diversity, the selected ensembles have risen above an exceptionally strong pool of candidates.
The Next/Gen 2026 Finalists are:
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Les Trouvers (FR)
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Ensemble La Mandorle (FR)
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sféra ensemble (CH/DE)
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Ensemble Le Grand Ballet (FR)
They will gather in Brussels on November 17–18, 2026 at Tour à Plomb (Rue de l'Abattoir 24, 1000 Brussels) for two intensive days of professional development, masterclasses, and performance.
Programme - Overview
Day 1 — November 17: Professional Workshops & Conferences
A full day dedicated to career building, communication, and industry insights, featuring keynote presentations and interactive discussions with leading figures in the early music sector: Jeroen Vanacker (Head of Music, Bozar), Veerle Declerck (Early Music Artistic Coordinator, Concertgebouw Brugge), Sergio Roberto Gratteri (Artistic Director, Das Haus), Ambitus and PlayRight leadership team.
Topics covered: Festival presentation strategies, developing an artistic identity, professional ethics, digital communication, and audience engagement.
Participant Highlight: Ensembles will present their "helicopter pitch"—a short, punchy introduction to their project—during dedicated presentation slots at the end of the day.
Day 2 — November 18: Masterclasses & Grand Finale
An intensive working day focusing on performance practice, listening sessions, and direct networking with our international jury:Masterclasses led by renowned mentors: Nicolas Achten (Scherzi Musicali), Lambert Colson (InAlto), Sofie Vanden Eynde (Imago Mundi), and Katelijne Lanneau (Early Music & Beyond).
Final Public Concert (6:00 PM): Each selected ensemble will perform a 20-minute musical program in front of the jury and public.
Grand Winner Announcement: Following the final concert on November 18, the jury will deliberate to select the official winner of CSBF NextGen 2026. The public announcement will take place during the closing ceremony that evening.
NextGen 2026: 17 & 18 November, 2-day training Lab & Competition
Launched in 2025, the NextGen project is a professional development programme and a "springboard" competition dedicated to young performers specialising in early music. Organized within the framework of the Coudenberg Sound Box Fest — a festival which, since its creation in 2021, has aimed to foster encounters between internationally renowned artists and young talents — NextGen seeks to support the emergence of a new generation of musicians by providing them with a platform for visibility, training, and networking with industry professionals.
NextGen combines several key dimensions: an artistic competition (18 November 2026), performance opportunities within the festival (in 2027), and a two-day professional coaching session (17 & 18 November 2026) designed to facilitate the entry of young artists into the international music scene. Following an online pre-selection based on video material and an ensemble portfolio, the jury will select four groups to perform in Brussels over two days before a panel of distinguished musicians, programmers, and cultural sector professionals.
The NextGen 2026 Jury
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Jeroen Vanacker, Head of Music at BOZAR
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Veerle Declerck, Early Music Artistic Coordinator at Concertgebouw Brugge
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Lambert Colson, Director of the ensemble InAlto
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Nicolas Achten, Director of the ensemble Scherzi Musicali
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Early Music & Beyond representative, TBC
Nextgen 2026 Winning Prize
During this 2-day Training Lab, the jury will evaluate the performances of the four ensembles and select one winner, during their final concert, who will receive:
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A €1000 cash prize;
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The opportunity to perform at CSBF 2027 (theme The Eternal Return of the Classic) as part of our signature double-concert series alongside an internationally acclaimed ensemble;
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A professionally produced video and audio recording, which may be featured in the CSBF audio guide for the archaeological museum.
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A new commission by a Belgian composer: this year, Andreas Moulin will create a bespoke piece dedicated to the winning ensemble.
Early Music & Beyond Development Prize
A key addition to the 2026 program, the Early Music & Beyond Development Prize honors the ensemble showing exceptional potential for creative innovation and artistic scalability. Early Music & Beyond is a Brussels-based department uniting two musical academies (the Jetse and Hoofdstedelijke Academies) to bridge historical performance with modern creativity, offering expert-led training for musicians of all levels—from beginners to professionals. This prize recognizes the ensemble demonstrating the highest potential for creative innovation and artistic scalability. Early Music & Beyond intends to support the winner’s mid-term professionalization through a comprehensive development plan covering artistic, organizational, and administrative management. The award comprises 12 hours of fully funded consultancy and training (inclusive of travel and accommodation), to be delivered between late 2026 and 2027 according to the parties' availability.
