Apply to the 2026 BGIIBC

 

The Blakeman Gerber Indianapolis International Baroque Competition is a prestigious international event dedicated to showcasing the next generation of talent in historically informed performance of Early Music. The competition returns for its third iteration on July 12, 2026, and is held every four years, marking it as a highly anticipated event within the global early music community.

Interested applicants should read the information below thoroughly before preparing audition materials.

Eligible Applicants 

  • Applicants must be performers on string, wind or harpsichord instruments. 

  • Applicants must be 32 or younger at the time of the competition.  

  • Applicants who are not citizens or permanent residents of the USA are responsible for obtaining  visas or other documents that permit their participation in the competition. 

    • If you have any questions, you may forward them to admin@baroquecompetition.org

  • Musicians who are current members of the board or staff of Indianapolis Early Music (IEM) or  IndyBaroque Music Inc (IBM), including current core members of the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra (IBO), are not eligible to compete. 

  • Previous Devona and Amos Gerber Grand Prize winners are ineligible to apply. 

The Competition 

  • After the application process is complete, an anonymous screening committee selected by IEM/IBO  will choose up to five Finalists and three alternates, based on the performance quality of their videos.  Finalists and alternates will be notified of their status by March 18, 2026. 

  • The selected Finalists will be invited to perform one of the two Baroque concertos submitted in their  video with the IBO in concert at the Indiana History Center on Sunday, July 12, 2026 as part of the  2026 Indianapolis Early Music Festival.

  • The orchestral accompaniment must be for strings and continuo only; the IBO will not provide wind players. Pitch: A=415 Hz. 

  • The chosen concerto must be no longer than 15 minutes in length. 

  • The IBO will perform without a conductor; Finalists will be expected to provide their own orchestral  parts in advance and will lead the rehearsal and performance of their concertos. 

  • A panel of 5 jurors, internationally recognized specialists, distinct from the screening committee,  will judge the Finalists’ performances in Indianapolis. The jurors will base their decision on all  aspects of the final performances. The panel will select the winner immediately after the concert and  announce the results at the post-concert reception. All other prizes will be awarded at the same time. 

Awards 

  • The first-place winner will receive the Devona and Amos Gerber Prize of $15,000.

  • All Finalists, excluding the Gerber Prize winner, will be awarded a $1,000 Laureate Award.

  • A $500 Audience Prize will be voted on by the audience in attendance at the Finals.

  • All cash awards are subject to the regulations of the United States tax code.

Required Materials for Upload 

  • Personal details: name, contact information, date of birth, nationality, and instrument.

  • Copy of photo ID with date of birth indicating that the applicant was born after July 12, 1993; copy  of passport required for applicants who are not citizens of the USA.  

  • 1-page resume of the applicant, with details of educational and professional experience, in reverse  chronological order. 

  • 1 Video recording 15-20 minutes in length, containing high Baroque repertoire (composed between  1700 and 1770) of the applicant’s choice.

    • The program must include one movement each from two  different solo concertos.

    • Additionally, the program may also include solo and/or chamber music and  should demonstrate contrasting styles and affects.

    • Single movements from larger works are acceptable.

    • The recording of any one movement or other composition must be unedited, although the uploaded 15-20 minutes may include recordings from different performances. The recordings must have been produced after September 15, 2024, preferably from live performances. Applicants must be clearly audible and visible in the video recording. 

  • Written program of the video recording, including timings of each movement and date of recording.

  • A non-refundable application fee of $45. Instructions for payment of fees are on the application  form. 

  • Applications which are incomplete or which do not adhere to the competition rules will not be  eligible for consideration, and the application fee will not be refunded. 

See application upload instructions below. Applications may be uploaded during the window from October  15, 2025 to January 15, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST.

How to Apply 

Applications will be accepted beginning October 15, 2025. Application Deadline: by January 15, 2026 at  11:59 pm EST. 

  1. Go to YAP Tracker at https://www.yaptracker.com/applications/open-online-applications/

  2. On the right, under “New to YAP Tracker?” click on “A free account.” Registration on this page  allows you to apply to the Indianapolis International Baroque Competition without paying to join  YAP Tracker (you will still need to pay the $45 Competition application fee).  

  3. Once you have registered, you will be able to select the Blakeman Gerber Indianapolis International Baroque  Competition application link to upload your materials.  

  4. Your video will need to be uploaded through YouTube, so be sure to click “Add YouTube share  video link” and NOT “Attach Video from Profile.” If you do not already have a YouTube account,  you will automatically be directed to YouTube to create one. In order to upload your video on  YouTube, you may need to increase your time allotment past the normal 15 minutes—just follow the  instructions on the screen. When you upload your video to YouTube, you will have the chance to  mark it “Private” so that only the judges will be able to see it. 

  5. You will receive a confirmation email that we have received your materials once you have  completed your application. If you do not receive an email, check your application to be sure you  have included everything required. All uploads must be completed by January 15, 2026, at 11:59 pm  EST. 

  6. Applications which are incomplete or which do not adhere to the competition rules will not be  eligible for consideration, and the application fee will not be refunded.

Any inquiries regarding the competition rules should be addressed to:  

admin@baroquecompetition.org.