ACCK PRIZE and KRW 1.5 Million Awarded at the Grand Finale in Jeju, South Korea

International Music Competition Connects Emerging Artists with European Professional Education and Cultural Exchange

Seo Yi-kyung, a student at the University of Music Münster (Musikhochschule Münster) in Germany, received the ACCK PRIZE, the overall Grand Prize, at the 2026 J.S. Bach International Festival Competition (BACH IFC), held on October 17 at the Seogwipo Arts Center in Jeju, South Korea.

The Grand Prize was accompanied by a cash award of KRW 1.5 million.

Organized and hosted by the Art Culture Center Korea (ACCK), the Grand Finale brought together musicians selected through regional preliminary rounds in Daejeon and Chungcheong, Incheon and Seoul, and Jeju.

The 2026 competition also welcomed a participant from Russia, reflecting its growing international reach.

An International Competition Across Generations and Educational Backgrounds

BACH IFC provides performance opportunities for musicians ranging from young children to university students and adult performers.

This year’s competition explored new approaches to international participation, including opportunities for students studying abroad, connections with extracurricular activities at international schools, and expanded overseas and online participation.

Beyond awarding prizes, BACH IFC seeks to provide participants with opportunities to evaluate their musical development and explore future pathways in professional music education.

International Jury and Comprehensive Musical Evaluation

The competition featured musicians and educators active in Korea, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Russia, including faculty members affiliated with international music institutions.

Participants were evaluated on technical proficiency, musical expression, interpretation, artistic understanding, and overall performance quality.

In 2026, BACH IFC also introduced individual performance evaluation reports designed to help participants identify their strengths and areas for further development.

These reports aim to provide educational feedback that can support audition preparation, advanced study, and long-term artistic growth.

Beyond Competition: European Education and International Performance Opportunities

The central vision of BACH IFC is:

Competition → Education → Performance → International Exchange

ACCK aims to ensure that musical achievement extends beyond a single competition result.

Through its international network, the organization connects emerging musicians with professional arts education, performance experiences, and cultural exchange opportunities in Europe.

Alongside its cash awards, the competition offers opportunities linked to European arts education and exchange programs.

Partnerships and educational connections in the Czech Republic and other European countries form an important part of ACCK’s long-term strategy for developing internationally oriented musicians.

Looking Ahead to 2027: Expanding International Connections Across Asia

Beginning in 2027, ACCK plans to explore further cooperation with musicians and educational institutions in China, Russia, and Southeast Asia.

The organization aims to share its competition experience and educational programs internationally while developing opportunities for overseas preliminary rounds, online participation, professional training, and international performances.

Through these initiatives, BACH IFC seeks to evolve into a sustainable international arts platform connecting talent discovery, professional education, performance, and cultural exchange.

ACCK will continue to develop international music education and cultural exchange initiatives that support musicians in building their artistic careers and engaging with the global music community.

Organizer | Art Culture Center in Korea (ACCK)

Competition | 2026 J.S. Bach International Festival Competition (BACH IFC)

Grand Finale | October 17, 2026 · Seogwipo Arts Center, Jeju, South Korea