April 28 – May 3, 2026
It is a great pleasure to announce the sixth edition of the Stift Musical Encounters at the end of April and beginning of May 2026. This will be held once again in and around the hub of the Stiftfestival in the beautiful and historic Stift in Weerselo, Holland.
Applications have started (see underneath).
Looking for the concerts? Click here
Join us for a flexible mix of individual classes and intensive chamber music, side by side with the internationally renowned faculty. We will spend the days rehearsing chamber music together, with coaching sessions and rehearsals well into the evenings. There are several concerts where the repertoire that we have worked on during the week will be performed. There will also be room for some individual masterclasses, and a concert dedicated to this ‘solo-repertoire’. A tradition of the SME has also become the spontaneous evening chamber music reading sessions in the Stiftskerk (Stift church).
We are delighted to announce the faculty members for this sixth edition will be: Daniel Rowland (violin), Yuval Gotlibovich (viola), Maja Bogdanovic (cello), Olivier Thiery (double bass), Anthony Hewitt (piano).
More about the Masters
Participation
The participation fee is € 725 . This includes accommodation with host families and all meals: communal lunches and dinners. Travel costs from your home to the festival are for your own account, travel during the SME week is arranged and included.
Applications are open for individual participants as well as existing duos, trios and quartets.
Schedule
Arrival will be on Tuesday 28th April and we will start with a lunch at 12:00. First sessions start at 13.00 pm
The week includes sessions, informal chamber music readings in evening and side-by-side concerts in the Stiftkerk.
Final concert will be on Sunday 3rd May in the afternoon and participants can schedule departure from 19.00 h.
Lessons and concerts take place at the gorgeous 15th century Stiftskerk and the Stiftschool next to it.
Those familiar with the Stiftfestival will know the charming and very pretty setting and the famous Twents hospitality!
We like to receive a filled in application form (underneath) and a recording of minimum two contrasting pieces. Application deadline is March 10th, 2026 – we will notify applicants by 20th March.
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Any questions?
Please write to our director Lieke Bisseling at lieke@stiftmusicfestival.nl
Performance videos can be sent to stiftfestival@me.com
The Masters
The internationally renowned Masters for the fifth edition
Daniel Rowland (violin), Yuval Gotlibovich (viola), Maja Bogdanovic (cello), Olivier Thiery (double bass), Anthony Hewitt (piano).
More about the Masters
Participants
Considering to participate?
Applications for the 2026 edition are now open!
Keep an eye on this website, and you can apply stating your instrument, teacher, experience and repertoire. Students who have applied, will receive a reply from us before march 20th. Please, do not hesitate to inquire with any questions to our director Lieke Bisseling at lieke@stiftmusicfestival.nl