1. Overall info

The FIFTH edition of International Festival Music Academy FORTE for young musicians will take place in Brussels on July 6-12th, 2025 and will end with a Gala concert on July 12th, 2025*.

*Please note that the gala concert on July 12th, 2025 is reserved for MASTERCLASS participants. For competition winners, the gala concerts will take place on July 4th or 5th, 2025, depending on which day of the competition the participants are attending.

The International Festival Music Academy FORTE is open for musicians of 8-25 y.o.* of all nationalities, players of piano, violin, viola, cello, flute, trumpet, guitar, and vocal (with no age limit). All participants have opportunity to follow masterclasses of chamber music & orchestra & choral & piano ensembles & opera workshop.

*age limit only applies for instrument players; for vocalists no age limits

2. Important deadlines

2.1. May 15th, 2025  – deadline for application for participation at the master classes

Online registration will start from January 1st 2025      

IMPORTANT :
We can accept MAXIMUM 10 participants by teacher (solo instrument), based on: “First come – first served” principal.
During the registration there is a list for choose the teacher for solo lessons and participant has possibility to make 3 choices.
The organiser will take the choice of teachers into account mentioned during the registration. However, the final decision on whose class you will end up in belongs to the organiser. No disputes are possible. Music Academy Forte guarantees the high level of each professor. The next working day following the registration final confirmation will be send with all details.

For registration you need to fill out an online application form. (Online Registration Form for the master classes will be available soon)

When filling out the online form, you will need to:

    • attach a scan of an artistic photo of the participant (in jpeg format)

    • attach a passport or participant ID scan (in jpeg format)

    • attach a YouTube link with a recent performance of participant (free program max 10 min)

    • pay full amount as a registration fee (payment by credit card, not refundable).

TWO IMPORTANT THINGS:

    1. While filling out the application form, you must indicate your choice of the mode of accommodation: Internat or Externat:

    • Internat: choose if you would like to sleep at academy premises during the entire duration of the event. In this case, you will get a bed in a shared room (4 children). Additional costs of 300 euros for the entire period applies.

    • Externat: choose if you would like to be present at the academy:
        • from 08:30 till 22:00 OPTION A.FULL WORKSHOP

        • from 11:00 till 22:00 OPTION B.01 HALF WORKSHOP WITH EXCURSIONS or EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES

        • from 15:00 till 22:00 OPTION B.02 HALF WORKSHOP WITHOUT EXCURSIONS & WITHOUT ANY EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES

    • depending on the planning and sleep elsewhere (Attention! The leaving hours will be later on the days when you participate in concerts or competition). With Externat option no extra costs apply.

2. While filling out the application form, you must indicate your choice of type of the education:
OPTION A. FULL (chamber music & private lessons & orchestra included) *all info at chap.3
OPTION B.01 HALF WITH EXCURSIONS (orchestra included) *all info at chap.3
OPTION B.02 HALF WITHOUT EXCURSIONS (orchestra included) *all info at chap.3                                         OPTION C. COMPOSITION *all info at chap.3

OPTION A. FULL | 09:00-22:00
included: private lessons & chamber music & piano ensembles & orchestra & lunch & dinner

OPTION B.01 HALF WITH EXCURSIONS | 11:00-22:00
included: orchestra or piano/guitar ensembles or choral & opera & lunch & dinner

OPTION B.02 HALF WITHOUT EXCURSIONS | 15:00-22:00
included: orchestra or piano/guitar ensembles or choral & opera & dinner

OPTION C. COMPOSITION | 09:00-22:00 (only 3 days, from 9th to 11th July)*
included: private lessons & group lessons & rehearsals with professional contemporary pianist on their newly composed works & premiere of students newly composed works by professional contemporary pianist & lunch & dinner

*even though composition masterclasses are only held for 3 days, composition participants are welcome to attend all concerts for free (from 6th to 12th July) and observe rehearsals of orchestra of instrumental students

2.2. May 20-30th, 2025 – all information about the program for chamber music & orchestra & piano ensembles & choral & opera workshop will be send by mail.

3. Total costs of Participation in the International Music Academy FORTE

OPTION A. FULL WORKSHOP

700-euro players of piano, violin, viola, and cello

500-euro players of guitar, trumpet, flute and singers

Masterclasses & rehearsals 09:00-18:00 then concerts till 22:00 each day

09:00-13:30 Masterclasses & rehearsals

13:30 lunch

14:15-15:45 Masterclasses & rehearsals

16:00-18:00 Rehearsals orchestra or choral or piano ensembles or opera workshop

18:00 dinner

18:30-22:00 Concerts each day

OPTION B.01 HALF WORKSHOP WITH EXCURSIONS or EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES

600-euro players of any instruments or singers

*no extra fees for museums or sport

11:00-14:00 Excursions & different activities

14:15 lunch

15:00-18:00 Rehearsals orchestra or choral or piano ensembles or opera workshop

18:00 dinner

18:30-22:00 Concerts each day

OPTION B.02 HALF WORKSHOP WITHOUT EXCURSIONS & WITHOUT ANY EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES

300-euro players of any instruments or singers

15:00-18:00 Rehearsals orchestra or choral or piano/guitar ensembles or opera workshop

18:00 dinner

18:30-22:00 Concerts each day

OPTION C. COMPOSITION WORKSHOP (3 days only, 9th to 11th July)

300-euro composers

Masterclasses & rehearsals 09:00-18:00 then concerts till 22:00 each day

09:00-13:30 Masterclasses & rehearsals (readings of your sketches)

13:30 lunch

14:15-15:45 Masterclasses & rehearsals (readings of your sketches)

16:00-18:00 Individual working time to continue to develop the sketch into full composition

18:00 dinner

18:30-22:00 Concerts each day

 

Refund policy
In case of cancellation:
before May 15th 2025: 

  • Option A. participation fee of piano, violin, viola, cello: 600 Euros will be refunded
  • Option A. participation fee of guitar, trumpet, flute, singer: 400 Euros will be refunded
  • Option B.01 participation fee: 500 Euros will be refunded
  • Option B.02 participation fee: 250 Euros will be refunded
  • Option C. participation fee: 250 Euros will be refunded

before May 15th 2025: Internat fees 250 Euros will be refunded
after May 15th 2025: participation fees will not be refunded
after May 15th 2025: Internat fees will not be refunded

During Force Majeure Events (such as entrance are banned by law, border closure etc.) refund is possible.

4. Each participant will get the following masterclasses

OPTION A. FULL WORKSHOP
THE COSTS COVER:
• Individual lessons: 3 x 45min
• Chamber music lessons: 10 x 45min
• Orchestra rehearsals for string instruments, trumpet, and flute: each day +- 2h00
• Extra rehearsals for piano, guitar and singers each day +- 2h00
• Opera workshop each day +- 3h00
And extra:
• Meals (lunch&diner)
• Professional photos (selected pieces will be published on our web)
• Professional video recording during the concerts and competition (selected pieces will be published on our YouTube)
• Excursions in the area the day following the GALA concert.
• Sport facilities
• Rooms for practicing
• Costs for supervision and day care for minor participants
• Extra activities for young musicians

OPTION B.01 HALF WORKSHOP WITH EXCURSIONS or EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES
THE COSTS COVER:
• Orchestra rehearsals for string and wind instruments or Choral or Opera workshop : each day +- 3h00
• Rehearsals for piano/guitar ensembles each day +- 3h00
And extra:
• Meals (lunch&diner)
• Professional photos (selected pieces will be published on our web)
• Professional video recording during the concerts and competition (selected pieces will be published on our YouTube)
• Excursions (museum of Brussels, Museum Beaux Art, Visit city hall etc) in the area or sport activities out of the academy each day (as swimming pool etc)
• Rooms for practicing
• Costs for supervision and day care for minor participants
• Extra activities for young musicians

OPTION B.02 HALF WORKSHOP WITHOUT EXCURSIONS & WITHOUT ANY EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES
THE COSTS COVER:
• Orchestra rehearsals for string/wind instruments or Choral or Opera workshop : each day +- 3h00
• Rehearsals for piano/guitar ensembles each day +- 3h00
And extra:
• Meal (only diner)
• Professional photos (selected pieces will be published on our web)
• Professional video recording during the concerts and competition (selected pieces will be published on our YouTube)
• Rooms for practicing
• Costs for supervision and day care for minor participants

OPTION C. COMPOSITION
• Feedback on newly composed sketches before arrival in Brussels (1-2 times) through email
• Individual lessons with composer teacher: 2 x 45min
• Individual readings of the newly pieces with contemporary pianist with guidance of composition teacher: 2 x 45 mins 
• Group Lecture: 1 x 60min
• Group Lessons: 2 x 45 mins 

And extra:
• Meals (lunch & dinner)
• Professional photos (selected pieces will be published on our web)
• Professional video recording during the concerts and competition (selected pieces will be published on our YouTube)
• Excursions in the area the day following the GALA concert if the participants choose to stay on until 13th July (check-out date).

 
5. Planning of a typical day

-from 08:30 till 22:00 OPTION A.FULL WORKSHOP and OPTION C. COMPOSITION
-from 11:00 till 22:00 OPTION B.01 HALF WORKSHOP WITH EXCURSIONS or EXTRA SOPRT ACTIVITIES
-from 15:00 till 22:00 OPTION B.02 HALF WORKSHOP WITHOUT EXCURSIONS & WITHOUT ANY EXTRA SPORT ACTIVITIES

6. Scholarships for Masterclasses FORTE 2026:

Scholarships might be considered by administration based on results of Music Competition FORTE 2025.

7. Insurance

Each participant is responsible for personal medical insurance, accident risk and personal belongings including insurance of his/her instrument. All insurance must be prepaid and copies of the contracts must be submitted to Summer Music Academy FORTE  by the beginning of the course.

8. Parents

Our staff will welcome all participants of younger ages. They make sure that they go to bed on time and eat properly.

Students will have some free time in between their lessons, concerts, excursions… but stay all together during their free time in order to be able to build new relationships and find new friends.

We encourage parents to attend the students’ concerts and festival concerts but they are not admitted to enter chamber music, individual lessons or orchestra rehearsals.

For the same reasons, parents are not allowed to enter the school area during masterclass period except for concerts, competition, open masterclasses & conference.

9. Additional Information

    • Chamber music: music of the different chamber music ensembles will be sent to the participants by e-mail during month of Mai.

    • SOLO: participants must prepare two complete pieces by different composers in advance of the course for SOLO lessons. 

After inscription for the participation in the masterclasses, the candidate can indicate his/her preference for competition or solo concert for SOLO program. The deadline for changes is May 31st 2025. No changes will be accepted after the deadline.

    • Accompanist: Solo lessons of flute, violin, cello will be done without accompanist. The accompanist will attend one rehearsal before the competition or concert. Rehearsal duration: 15 min – 30 min, depending on the age and program

For all participants: no music of Russian composers can be performed during the competition & masterclasses

IMPORTANT : The organiser will take the choice of teachers into account mentioned during the registration. However, the final decision on whose class you will end up in belongs to the organiser. No disputes are possible. Music Academy Forte guarantees the high level of each professor.

10. Responsibilities

The administration of the academy does not bear any responsibility for the children who must move to the academy premises before the beginning of the master classes (9:00am, July 6th, 2025) or after the end of the academy classes (22:00 on the day of the Gala Concert (July 12th, 2025).
All responsibility beyond the hours/dates of the masterclasses rests solely with the parents.

Personal Property and Possessions: Students, parents and staff members are responsible for their personal property and possessions whilst on the school premises, or when partaking in school activities such as trips and school events. The school will not be held responsible for any loss, damage or theft of personal property. Students, parents and staff members bring items onto the premises at their own risk. We advise students to carry their personal possessions with them into the classroom when having lessons, and do not leave them in the corridor. 

11. Videos and Recordings

The public is prohibited from photographing or filming during the performances. The organizer of the Masterclass and the Competition has the right to take and reproduce photographs, video and sound recordings, as well as broadcasts on radio and TV channels. The International Festival Music Academy FORTE reserves the right, without payment of fees, to make and distribute recordings for media and other purposes, including the Internet, and to televise, broadcast, record, film, photograph or live stream all stages of the masterclass and competition, all award ceremonies and concerts.

12. Important Statement

International Festival “Music Academy Forte” (For both Competitions and Masterclasses)

for Youth supports Ukraine

STATEMENT

International Festival “Music Academy Forte” strongly condemns Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war against Ukraine. In addition, he condemns the participation of Belarus in Russia’s military aggression.

Having decided to take part in this festival (competition, masterclasses, concerts), each participant signs these words and confirms his negative attitude towards the politics of the Russian Federation and thereby supports Ukraine in the struggle for the freedom and independence of the nation.

If the participant has the citizenship of the Russian Federation or Belarus, the participant undertakes to speak under a neutral flag and not to declare himself as a representative of the aggressor country.