© Stadt Bocholt
The successful young musicians who took part in the competition

02. February 2026Music school

"Jugend musiziert": Bocholt pupils win eleven first prizes at the regional competition

Two ensembles from the Bocholt-Isselburg music school qualify for the state competition

On Saturday, 31 January 2026, twelve pupils from the Bocholt-Isselburg music school took part in the 63rd regional "Jugend musiziert" competition in Heek. The young talents from Bocholt achieved a total of eleven first prizes in their categories. Two ensembles will now go on to the state competition.

In the categories of chamber music for string instruments - mixed ensembles / same instruments and chamber music for wind instruments (same instruments), the pupils and their teachers presented selected pieces to a panel of experts. The participants competed in age groups 1b to V in various chamber music ensembles with cello, violin and trumpet.

After a warm-up period in prepared rooms, the actual competition began. Depending on the age group, a self-selected audition programme of between six and 20 minutes was expected, containing music from different eras.

Results:

			Results
Chamber music for string instruments (mixed ensembles), age group Ib	Lotte Decius, violin	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize
	Feline Niemann, violin	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize
	Rosalie Sicker, violin	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize
	Marie Krolle, violoncello	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize

Chamber music for string instruments (mixed ensembles), age group IV	Matilda Varone, violin	Bocholt	24 points, 1st prize with forwarding to the state competition
	Katharina Theling, violoncello	Bocholt	24 points, 1st prize with forwarding to the state competition

Chamber music for string instruments (mixed ensembles), age group V	Clara Mattheus, viola	Bochum	24 points, 1st prize with transfer to the state competition
	Matilda Varone, violin	Bocholt	24 points, 1st prize with transfer to the state competition
	Zhuo Jun Li, violin	Düsseldorf	24 points, 1st prize with transfer to the state competition
	Augustin Kollek, violoncello	Neuss	24 points, 1st prize with transfer to the state competition

Chamber music for string instruments (same instruments), age group Ib	Greta Katharina Marschner, violoncello	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize
	Victoria Querbach, violoncello	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize
	Konstantin Castro Belting, violoncello	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize
	Carl Levin Müller, violoncello	Bocholt	25 points,. 1st prize

Chamber music for wind instruments (same brass instruments), age group III	Annelie Bergmann, trumpet	Bocholt	20 points, 2nd prize
	Paula Johanna Benning, trumpet	Bocholt	20 points, 2nd prize

Matilda Varone and Katharina Theling will continue at the state competition in Dortmund from 20 to 24 March 2026. Age group 1 will not yet be forwarded to the state competition.

"The 'Jugend musiziert' competition is always a special event for pupils, teachers and parents", reports music school director Claudia Borgers. "The atmosphere on site was great and the results are impressive. Everyone involved can be very proud of their achievements"

Regardless of the competition result, the intensive preparation promoted the musical development of each individual participant. "The joy with which the musicians present their pieces shows that this competition is about much more than points and prizes", emphasises Borgers.

In addition to the commitment of the pupils, the teachers are also involved in the successes with their extra rehearsals and personal commitment. This year, teachers Christiane Schröder, Christina Schubach, Gabriele Nußberger, Uta Preckwinkel, Katharina Jarek-Knabe and Ruben van Schijndel prepared the participants. Equally important is the guidance and support of the parents.

About the "Jugend musiziert" competition

The specialist juries made up of music teachers, lecturers and specialist teachers assess the performances on a scale of 0 to 25 points. These points are converted into prizes or awards.

The competition is under the patronage of the Federal President and is organised by the German Music Council. Funding is provided by the districts of Borken and Coesfeld, the towns and municipalities and the regional savings banks.

Selected participants from the Borken district and Wesel on the right bank of the Rhine will present their works on 22 February 2026 at 11 a.m. in the FARB Forum Altes Rathaus Borken.