Applications open for Windsor Festival International String Competition

Florence Lockheart
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Applications for the competition, which will take place in March 2024, are open until 24 November

Violinist Daniil Bulayev, who won the competition in 2021, performs in his Prize Concerto Performance with conductor Marin Alsop (Image courtesy of the Windsor Festival International String Competition)
Violinist Daniil Bulayev, who won the competition in 2021, performs in his Prize Concerto Performance with conductor Marin Alsop (Image courtesy of the Windsor Festival International String Competition)

Windsor Festival has today revealed the details of its International String Competition, with applications open until 24 November. The biennial competition aims to launch the career of a violinist, violist or cellist, with the support of new orchestra partners Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) and Orpheus Sinfonia.

Applicants are now invited to submit performance videos for the competition pre-audition round from which 12 semi-finalists will be chosen to present live performances in Windsor in March 2024. Three competitors will then be selected to compete in the competition’s public final. Festival director Martin Denny will judge competitors’ performances alongside a panel of judges including RPO managing director James Williams; Champs Hill Records executive producer Alexander Van Ingen; cellist Natalie Clein; violinist and conductor Joji Hattori and violist Lars Tomter.

Denny said: ‘It gives me great pleasure to announce the 2024 Windsor Festival International String Competition. We can’t wait to discover our next winner, and launch their career as this prize package has been carefully developed to enable. We welcome applications from all aspiring violinists, violists and cellists across the world, and look forward to receiving your entries.’

As well as a cash prize of £5,000, the winner of the 2024 competition will receive a solo recording opportunity with competition recording partner Champs Hill Records, performance opportunities with RPO in Windsor Castle during Windsor Festival in September 2024 and as part of the orchestra’s UK Touring Programme, a London Concerto performance with Orpheus Sinfonia and further recital opportunities including a performance in La Mortella, Italy.

The competition will also offer further cash prizes for second and third place and an audience prize, with prizes across the competition totaling £30,000.