Windsor Festival International String Competition: Call for Entrants

WINDSOR, England, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Windsor Festival announces its 3rd Windsor Festival International String Competition which takes place 14th – 18th March 2011 in Windsor Castle by kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen.

The Competition now calls for violinists, violists and cellists from all corners of the globe between the ages of 16 - 26 years to apply for prizes valued at over UK 15,000 pounds and which include a concerto performance with associate orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra, a cash prize of 5,000 pounds, recitals at La Mortella on the Island of Ischia, Italy and a fine contemporary bow to the value of 5,000 pounds sponsored by Bishops Instruments and Bows.

Launched in 2008 and in memory of Sir Yehudi Menuhin, one of the founding Artistic Directors of the Festival, Windsor Festival International String Competition attracts an exceptional standard of competitor and has grown to become the most eminent competition of its kind in the UK. The biennial Windsor Festival International String Competition has moved to the Spring and will take place 14th – 18th March 2011, during the Festival's annual Spring Weekend.

The Competition is open to violinists, violists and cellists of all nationalities who are aged between 16 - 26 years, on 1st December 2010. Eight competitors from throughout the world will be invited to Windsor to compete in front of an international jury in the live semi-final stage.  Three will then be selected to go on to compete in the Competition Final which will take place in the Waterloo Chamber of Windsor Castle by kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen.  

Entrants must complete and submit their application by 1st December 2010. Application forms, full rules and regulations and further information can all be found at: www.wfinternationalstringcompetition.com.

2009 Windsor Festival International String Competition First Prize winner, violinist Diana Galvydyte has won 15 international competitions, including the European Prize for Achievement in Denmark, and performed recitals and concerti throughout Europe.  Diana performs the Bruch Violin Concerto with the Philharmonia Orchestra and Martyn Brabbins at Windsor Festival on 22nd September 2010.

Of the competition, she comments: "Winning the Windsor Festival International String Competition has been a turning point in my career and the opportunities that have arisen as a result have had such an important impact upon my life as a violinist."

"As Festival Director I feel strongly that it is important we live-up to Yehudi Menhuin's example by fostering young talent and building opportunities for those embarking upon their musical careers," writes Martin Denny, Windsor Festival Director. "This Competition has become an integral addition to the Festival's programme and through it we look to build strong relationships with the next generation of performers."

SOURCE Windsor Festival Ltd