The members of the international jury 2026

Every year the musical performances will be evaluated by a jury made up of personalities from the world of music. Great composers, musicians and conductors accept the invitation to be part of the Jury sharing the passion for wind music.

PRESIDENT

Born in Thorn, the Netherlands, in 1951, Jan Cober is a Dutch conductor and clarinettist. He studied conducting and clarinet at the Maastricht Conservatory, graduating from both programs with the Prix d'Excellence.
Between 1972 and 1977 he was first clarinet of the Dutch broadcast orchestra, before becoming, from 1977, solo clarinettist of the Residentie Orkest in The Hague, working alongside conductors such as Willem van Otterloo and Ferdinand Leitner.

Since 1976 he has taught clarinet and conducting at the conservatories of Tilburg, Maastricht and Utrecht, and is part of the European Institute for Conducting based in Trento — a connection that has long tied him to our region as well. Since 1995 he has also been conductor of the prestigious Royal Harmonie Sainte Cécile in Eijsden. Throughout his career he has conducted and arranged for some of the most important wind orchestras internationally, establishing himself as one of the leading figures in European band music.