TROMP

International

Percussion

CompetitioN

2026

19 - 27 September 2026 | Eindhoven, the Netherlands

A renewed format for a new generation

In 2026, TROMP presents not one, but two international competitions as part of its festival in Eindhoven:

  • the TROMP International Percussion Competition — a high-level solo contest for 10 top-tier percussionists.

  • and the new TROMP Next Gen: Mallet Competition, welcoming 50 selected young marimba and vibraphone players from around the world.

This page gives you all the essential information about the TROMP International Percussion Competition — the core of TROMP since 1971.

After many successful editions, we are proud to present a completely renewed structure for the TROMP International Percussion Competition. In close dialogue with teachers, programmers, artistic leaders and performers across the globe, we asked a simple question:

What does it mean to be a solo percussionist today?

The result is a format that encourages artistic risk, embraces diverse repertoire, and celebrates personality and creative identity. TROMP has always been future-minded, and in Eindhoven, a city known for technology and innovation, we continue that legacy.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The TROMP International Percussion Competition is open to professional percussionists worldwide who have completed — or are in the final phase of — their professional training.

We are looking for soloists who:

  • demonstrate exceptional technical mastery

  • show artistic vision, originality and presence

  • present themselves as complete, creative artists

  • are no older than 30 at the start of the competition

Only 10 candidates will be selected to perform live in Eindhoven from 19–27 September 2026.
This marks the 16th edition of the solo percussion competition, which has been at the heart of TROMP since 1971.

You are reading a summary of the full rules and guidelines, which will be published in September 2025. This overview is here to help you prepare for your application journey toward TROMP 2026.

Want to apply for the TROMP Next Gen: Mallet Competition instead?
A separate information page is available for that competition — with its own structure, jury, and entry requirements. We can’t wait to hear from the next generation of percussion pioneers!

More information about the jury and further details about the round structure will follow on 1 September 2025. Do you have any questions in the meantime? Please check our FAQ below.

DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE ROUNDS

PRELIMINARY ROUND - online

Applicants must submit the following:

  • a live video recording of

    • one piece from a curated list

    • one freely chosen work (max. 10 minutes)

  • a proposed program for the live rounds in Eindhoven

    • submitted in form of a text (maximum 3 pages) or video (maximum 7 minutes) via MUVAC

    • optional: an artistic justification of the selected works. If included, the jury will consider this in their evaluation.

A selection committee selects 30 candidates based on artistic potential, craftsmanship, and vision.

  • Top 10 are invited to compete in Eindhoven.

  • Ranked 11–30 receive a free entrance ticket to the TROMP Academy (see FAQ). Travel and accommodation will not be arranged by TROMP.

ROUND 1 “Current Pulse” – Black Box in Eindhoven - Sunday 20th of September

  • Each participant presents a 30-minute personal portrait in a Black Box setting.

  • Complete artistic freedom in repertoire, instrumentation, form, and presentation.

  • Participants may include multimedia, electronics, improvisation, or interdisciplinary elements.

  • TROMP provides technical specs in September 2025; participants must submit a tech rider accordingly.

 

ROUND 2 “Facets of Percussion” – Muziekgebouw Eindhoven - Tuesday 22nd of September

  • A festival-style evening concert featuring all ten participants.

  • Each participant prepares two works from the curated list (approx. 14 minutes in total).

  • Only one of the two works will be performed, selected by the TROMP artistic team (communicated two weeks prior).

  • The evening includes a public reception, intermissions, and contextual introductions.

  

ROUND 3 “Postcards to the future” - Pitch & Performance ("Talk meets Recital") – Location TBA - Wednesday 23rd of September

  • 20-minute recital (acoustic works only), consisting of:

    • a mandatory commissioned work

    • a curated solo program built around that work

  • Participants submit a pre-recorded video pitch (jury only), presenting a vision for how the theme could develop into a full-length concert or installation. This video will only be used by the jury during the selection process. The video will not be screened at the competition.

    • max. 10 minutes

    • Format is fully open – e.g.:

      • a direct-to-camera spoken pitch

      • a narrated visual presentation

      • a creative video production

      • a concept film with projected imagery and sound

  • Judged on conceptual clarity and artistic strength, not production quality

  • You may speak in your native language, but if you do, please include English subtitles

  • You will receive the mandatory commissioned work on 1st of March 2026.

 

After Round 3, a selection takes place. Three candidates will be selected to present themselves in the Final round.

  

FINAL – with Asko|Schönberg Ensemble ("Het Muziek") – Muziekgebouw Eindhoven | Recital Hall - Sunday 27th of September

  • The three finalists perform a recital in collaboration with Asko|Schönberg Ensemble.

  • Rehearsals take place Thursday–Saturday, 24-26 September, working with:

    • a composer of a fixed-score work (8–10 minutes), selected by TROMP

    • a composer of a “roadmap score” – an open structure co-created with the soloist and ensemble

    • a visual artist

  • Each finalist presents a 35-minute program including:

    • the fixed-score (mandatory), selected by TROMP

    • The roadmap piece (mandatory)

    • Additional solo or chamber works (optional)

      • chamber parts should be easily rehearsable: think soundscapes, melodic fragments, or basic accompaniments.

      • the ensemble will only be informed of the three finalists one day before the first rehearsal (on Thursday). This means there is very limited time for the musicians to prepare. Therefore, we ask you to take this into account when designing your final program:

        • Please ensure that any ensemble parts you propose are feasible to rehearse and perform within a short time frame

        • Avoid complex or highly virtuosic ensemble writing

        • Simpler ideas such as a soundscape, a single-line melody, or a clear accompaniment (e.g. flute with percussion, or ambient textures) are very welcome.

      • The jury will consider the feasibility of your proposed program as part of their evaluation in earlier rounds.

  • The final serves as the festival’s closing concert, with jury, press, public, and network partners in attendance.

  • Deadlines of scores and information about the ensemble will be updated on 1st of September 2026

FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE & PRIZES

All participants invited to Eindhoven will receive free access to all TROMP Festival concerts, as members of our audience.
At TROMP Festival 2026, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and be inspired by some of the world’s leading percussionists — both performers and fellow students.

PRIZES

There are four prizes that can be won in this competition. Only the competition finalists qualify for the three ranking prizes. All 10 competitors qualify for the Friends of TROMP Audience Award.

The three ranking prizes will be awarded by decision of the competition jury and will be publicly announced immediately after the competition finale on Sunday September 27th, 2026.

1. First Prize

  • A total prize sum of €15,000 will be awarded. Of this, €8,000 is reserved for the development of a personal artistic project in collaboration with the TROMP Team, to be presented at a future edition of the TROMP Festival.

  • Options for concert engagements and master classes within two years after the Competition.

2. Second Prize

  • A total prize sum of €10,000 will be awarded. Of this, € 6,000 is reserved for the development of a personal artistic project in collaboration with the TROMP Team, to be presented at a future edition of the TROMP Festival.

  • Options for concert engagements and master classes within two years after the Competition.

3. Third Prize

  • A total prize sum of €5,000 will be awarded. Of this, €3,000 is reserved for the development of a personal artistic project in collaboration with the TROMP Team, to be presented at a future edition of the TROMP Festival.

  • Options for concert engagements and master classes within two years after the Competition.

The portion of the prize money reserved for artistic development is to be used for the creation of a personal project in collaboration with the TROMP Team, intended to be presented at a future edition of the TROMP Festival.

This process will take place in close consultation with the artistic director. The TROMP Foundation is committed to supporting the artistic growth of percussionists and has a strong international network and a proven track record in launching the careers of its laureates.

 

The Friends of TROMP Audience Award

This prize is awarded by the audience attending Rounds 1, 2 and 3 of the TROMP International Percussion Competition.
Audience members vote by ballot, based on the performances of all 10 competitors.

The winner of the Audience Award will be publicly announced immediately after the Competition Finale.

The prize consists of:

  • Concert in Eindhoven in season 2027/2028

  • Video recording sponsored by TROMP

REGISTRATION FEE

  • The registration fee is 50 euros, for each participant.

  • Candidates who will be selected to present themselves during TROMP 2026 in Eindhoven are required to pay 225 euros participation fee. This fee includes entry to TROMP festival concerts.

  • Fees are non-refundable

RULES & REGULATIONS

You are currently reading a summary of the more comprehensive set of rules and guidelines for TROMP edition 2026, which we will publish in September 2025.  The most recent rules and regulations for TROMP 2026 are published on this www.tromppercussion.nl website. The TROMP Foundation reserves the right to amend and/or add rules. Please check this website for the latest information to stay up to date.

 

All rules & regulations for the 2026 edition of TROMP will be presented in September 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

TROMP International Percussion Competition 2026

  • You may participate if you are under the age of 30 on 20 September 2026. In other words, you must be born on or after 21 September 1996.

  • No. The jury evaluates based on musical quality, not video production. A smartphone recording is perfectly acceptable, as long as the sound is clear and everything is easy to see and hear. Please film in horizontal mode and ensure a quiet and clear recording environment.

  • The jury selects the ten participants based on the submitted videos. Strict conflict-of-interest rules apply: jury members are not allowed to vote for their own students. Candidates are selected based on artistic potential, craftsmanship, and vision.

  • Yes, you are free to collaborate with other artists — this may include musicians, dancers, or other interdisciplinary performers.
    However, TROMP does not cover any costs for additional performers. If you choose to involve others, you are responsible for their travel, accommodation, and fair compensation.

    Please note:
    You must submit a complete and detailed plan of your performance — including collaborators and technical needs — at the time of your application. Our production team will review all proposals, and has the final say in terms of feasibility and approval. No changes can be made to your plan after the application deadline.

    That said, please keep in mind that TROMP is fundamentally a solo competition. We encourage artistic freedom, but the soloist must remain clearly central and in a leading artistic role throughout the performance.

  • Yes, you are free to include existing works in your program, as long as they support the theme you develop around the commissioned work.

  • A roadmap score is a modular composition with different sections that you can organize or interpret flexibly. You will co-create this work with a composer. TROMP and the composer will provide clear instructions and support, so you know exactly what is expected. These scores will be available starting 1 July 2026.

  • Yes, you can — in fact, we actively encourage it.

  • Your pitch video must be submitted through the official TROMP application system and must function correctly. Videos that cannot be opened, played, or understood will not be considered. We will provide clear guidelines in advance regarding the required file format and technical specifications. It is your responsibility to ensure that your video works properly.

  • Yes. TROMP works with a network of host families in Eindhoven who open their homes to participants. It’s an informal and personal way to experience the city — more like staying with extended family than in a hotel.

    In addition, TROMP offers travel support of up to €800 per participant.

    Please note: accommodation is modest, but we believe that sharing this experience with others is part of the unique spirit of TROMP.

  • Yes, as long as it fits within TROMP’s technical limitations. We will provide technical specifications in advance so you know what is possible.

  • Yes. TROMP works with a professional Stage Management Team that will assist you with transport, setup, and logistics during the competition.

    However, it is essential that you submit a complete technical plan and stage plot at the time of your application. This allows our team to prepare properly. Lastminute changes will not be accepted.

  •  Yes. All large instruments (such as marimba, vibraphone, timpani, etc.) will be provided by TROMP.
    You will also have the opportunity to select from the available instrument collection prior to the start of the competition.

    You may bring your own instruments only if this has been clearly indicated in your application and explicitly approved by the production team in advance. Unauthorized or last-minute additions will not be accepted. We aim to keep the backstage area safe and organized — your cooperation is essential.

  • Finalists will rehearse on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the final concert. You will work daily with the ensemble, composers, and creative team, and have access to a private practice space. Exact schedules and locations will be shared in 2026.

  • An invitation to grow beyond the stage

    In addition to selecting 10 candidates to perform live in Eindhoven, the jury of the TROMP International Percussion Competition will invite 20 additional participants (ranked 11–30) to join the TROMP Academy.

    This Academy is a curated program that recognizes artistic potential and offers participants an inspiring opportunity to connect, learn, and develop beyond the competition stage.

     

    What the Academy offers:

    • Access to selected TROMP Festival concerts and events

    • Online artistic sessions and feedback in spring 2026

    • Opportunities to meet fellow percussionists and international artists

    • A place in the TROMP network — with space to ask questions, share ideas, and grow

    Why an Academy?

    TROMP believes in investing in talents from all over the world.  
    The Academy is a celebration of promise and individuality — and a way for emerging artists to continue their journey as part of the TROMP community.

    More information will follow in early 2026.

Last update: 1 July 2025