Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Concours

In addition to the Grachtenfestival in August, an annual competition for conservatory students called the Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Concours (GCC) is organised. During the GCC, the best students from across the country compete in the national preliminary round.

The musicians who advance to the finals compete for a Vakjury Prijs and a Runner-up Prijs. The winners receive a performance during the next Grachtenfestival and a tour of established venues in the Netherlands.

The Puruñeka Duo is the proud winner of the Grachtenfestival Conservatory Competition 2026!

Puruñeka Duo is a percussion duo from The Hague, consisting of Tirso Ortiz Garrigós (Spain) and Matiss Leo Meckl (Iceland). Since their formation at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, they have been exploring new soundscapes and innovative ways of performing percussion. They have realised various projects, including two concerts in Iceland, and are working on new compositions and an interdisciplinary installation project. The duo strives to create groundbreaking and meaningful musical experiences through collaboration, experimentation and fresh ideas. 

Puruñeka Duo will perform at the Grachtenfestival 2026, which takes place from 7 to 16 August.

The Runner-up Prize went to singer Veronika Akhmetchina from the HKU Utrecht Conservatory. 

Previous editions of the Grachtenfestival Conservatory Competition were won by Roser Barberà Beltran, flute (2025, Prins Claus Conservatorium in Groningen), The Morgan/van Nee piano duo (2024, Conservatory of Amsterdam), Duo Greci-Bruno, violin and cello (2023, Conservatorium van Amsterdam), Kāna Trio, percussion (2022, Condarts Rotterdam), Dianto Reed Quintet, oboe, clarinet, alto saxophone, bass clarinet and bassoon (2021, Conservatorium van Amsterdam), Duo Zeffiretti, harpsichord and soprano (2020, Conservatorium van Amsterdam), xSight@ Percussion Duo, percussion (2019, Codarts Rotterdam), Matthijs Leffers, tuba (2018, Prins Claus Conservatorium Groningen), Kristina Vårlid, guitar (2017, Prins Claus Conservatorium Groningen), Raoul Steffani, baritone (2016, Fontys College for the Arts, Tilburg), Daahoud Salim, pianist (2015, Conservatory of Amsterdam), Vincent van Amsterdam, accordion (2014, Fontys College for the Arts Tilburg), Nicolas van Poucke, piano (2013, Conservatory of Amsterdam), Davai Perkusion (2013, Royal Conservatory of The Hague), Lidy Blijdorp, cello (2012, Conservatory of Amsterdam), Blake Weston, clarinet (2011, Conservatory of Amsterdam), Anne Veinberg, piano (2009, Codarts Rotterdam), Pia Greiner, cello (2008, Prince Claus Conservatory Groningen), Dimitar Dimitrov, piano (2007, Prince Claus Conservatory Groningen), Mirjam Overlach, harp (2006, Conservatory of Amsterdam), Viktoriya Yermolyeva, piano (2005, Codarts Rotterdam), Frederieke Saeijs, violin (2004, Royal Conservatory The Hague), Niels Meliefste, percussion (2003, Royal Conservatory The Hague).