A Collaboration of Indianapolis Early Music and Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra, the Blakeman Gerber Indianapolis International Baroque Competition is open to solo string, wind, and harpsichord instrumentalists.

Indianapolis Early Music and IndyBaroque Music, Inc. invite student and emerging professional musicians in historical performance to apply to compete in the 2026 Blakeman Gerber Indianapolis International Baroque Competition. Up to five finalists will be selected to perform in the final round competition in Indianapolis on July 12, 2026 as the final concert of the Indianapolis Early Music Festival. Finalists will each lead the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra in performing a high baroque solo concerto.

Prizes include the $10,000 Devona and Amos Gerber Prize and other cash awards, opportunities to perform on the IndyBaroque Music BGIIBC Laureate Series, and other prizes. All finalists will receive a medal, and all finalists except the Gerber Prize winner will receive a $500 Laureate Award.

Finalists will be selected by an anonymous Preliminary Round judging committee. These committee members, along with the final round judges, will be chosen from among nationally known experts in early music.

Applications, including the audition video, are due by January 15, 2026 at midnight EST.

The Presenters

Indianapolis Early Music is in its 59th season and is the oldest continuously offered Early Music concert series in the nation. Led by Artistic Director Mark Cudek, IEM features late spring and early summer weekend performances by internationally acclaimed Early Music artists. IEM is also committed to enriching children’s lives through educational programming in local schools.

The Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra is a multi-CD Naxos recording ensemble and was named one of the top 25 ensembles by Early Music America in 2011. Under the direction of its Artistic Director Barthold Kuijken, the IBO is dedicated to excellent and exuberant performance of 17th and 18th-century music on period instruments and performs a full concert season.

Both organizations are dedicated to sharing the enjoyment of Early Music with diverse audiences of all ages.