Key Facts at a Glance
- Institution: Musik- und Kunstschule Jena (MKS)
- Competition: Regional competition „Jugend musiziert“ Thüringen
- MKS Participants: 71 students
- Results: 61 first prizes
- Advancement: 32 qualifications for the state competition
- Categories: Including piano, harp, vocals, ensemble evaluations
Jena (09.02.2026) – Jena, the city of music, has once again proven its reputation as a talent factory. At this year’s regional competition of “Jugend musiziert,” students from the Musik- und Kunstschule Jena (MKS) delivered an exceptionally strong performance. With dozens of first prizes and numerous advancements to the state competition, the young musicians confirmed the high level of education in the Saalestadt.
Impressive Figures at the Renowned Youth Competition
For the participants, it is often the first major step on a potential career ladder or at least a significant validation of years of practice. A total of 71 students from the MKS Jena competed to face the critical ears of the expert juries. The results speak for themselves: the jury awarded a total of 61 first prizes to the soloists and ensembles from Jena.
Particularly encouraging is the high rate of those who reached the next level. 32 participants not only won a first prize but also achieved the score necessary to qualify for the Thüringen-wide state competition. In addition to the regular rankings, several special prizes were awarded for outstanding interpretations.
The evaluations this year took place in categories such as piano, harp, and vocals, as well as in various ensemble compositions. This reflects the broad musical spectrum taught at the Jena institution.
“Jugend musiziert”: More Than Just a Contest
The “Jugend musiziert” competition is considered the most important promotional project for young musical talent in Germany. It is traditionally divided into three phases: following the regional competitions held throughout Thüringen, the best compete at the state level. Those who convince the jury there may travel to the large national competition. For many professional musicians who play in major orchestras today, such as the Jenaer Philharmonie, this competition was once their starting point.
However, the competition is not just about rivalry. Above all, it promotes listening, making music together in ensembles, and engaging with different musical eras. For the Musik- und Kunstschule Jena, the performance at the regional competition is an important indicator of the quality of pedagogical work. The fact that nearly half of the competing students qualified for the next round is a mark of quality recognized far beyond the city limits.
Looking Ahead: On to the State Competition
For the 32 qualified talents, the message is now: keep going. Preparations for the state competition will intensify in the coming weeks. Here, Jena’s musicians will meet the best young talents from Erfurt, Weimar, Gera, and other Thüringer regions. The requirements increase and nerves grow – but the experience from the regional competition provides a tailwind.
Those interested in the detailed results can find the full list of prize winners on the website of the Musik- und Kunstschule at www.mks-jena.de. The names of the young talents and their exact scores are available there.
We keep our fingers crossed for all Jena participants in the next round and warmly congratulate them on this musical success.