2024 Windsor Festival International String Competition
Semi-finalists for the Ninth Windsor Festival International String Competition 2024 announced:
in alphabetical order by surname:
Andrew Byun, Cello, 25, Canadian
Johannes Gray, Cello, 26, American
Anna Im, Violin, 26, South Korean
Lorenz Karls, Violin, 22, Austrian/Swedish
Leland Ko, Cello, 25, American/Canadian
Yesong Sophie Lee, Violin, 20, American
Chase Park, Cello, 26, American
Jakob Taylor, Cello, 26, American
Edward Walton, Violin, 17, Australian/British
Julia Wang, Violin, 16, Chinese
Kinga Wojdalska, Viola, 25, Polish
Esther Yang, Violin, 23, South Korean
Welcome to the 9th Windsor Festival International String Competition, 2024.
The foremost competition of its kind in the world, and launched in memory of Festival founder Yehudi Menuhin, WFISC seeks out exceptional young string soloists. Reaching all corners of the globe, we encourage, nurture, support and enable prodigious talent to come to fruition, and launch the winner’s professional career. Sharing knowledge and experience, we forge international connections for the future.
The exciting array of WFISC prizes are valued at over £30,000 with a unique opportunity for the First Prize Winner to return to Windsor to play a concerto with the world renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, our Associate Orchestra, in the Waterloo Chamber, Windsor Castle during Windsor Festival 2024, as well as a solo recording opportunity with our Recording Partner Champs Hill Records, further concerto performances and recitals, cash prizes and ongoing support for years to come.
The concerto performance takes place in the unique and glorious surroundings of Windsor Castle, by gracious permission of HM The King.
We are delighted and most grateful to be in partnership with our sponsors, partner organisations and exceptional international jury.
WFISC 2024 Competition Schedule
- 24th November 2023: closing date for applications at 23:59 (GMT).
- 15th December 2023: 12 successful WFISC 2024 Semi-finalists selected.
- 12th January 2024: Finalisation of Semi-final and Final Programmes
- 15th January 2024: drawing of competition order.
- 9th-16th March 2024: WFISC 2024 Semi-finalists resident in Windsor, UK.
- 12th and 13th March 2024: WFISC 2024 Semi-Finals.
- 13th March 2024, 22:00 GMT: Announcement of WFISC 2024 Finalists 2024.
- 15th March 2024: WFISC 2024 Final.
- 24th September 2024: First Prize winner concerto performance with Associate Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of Windsor Festival 2024, Waterloo Chamber, Windsor Castle.
- 2024-2025 Season: London Concerto as a Foundation Soloist with Orpheus Sinfonia.
- 2024-2025 Season: Further Concerto performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of their UK Touring Programme.
- 2024-2025 Season: Recitals in La Mortella, Ischia as part of the William Walton Foundation Series.
International Jury
The Panel of International Jury for WFISC 2024 are:
- Joji Hattori | Violin | Japanese
- Lars Tomter | Viola | Norwegian
- Natalie Clein | Cello | British
And they will be joined for the Final by esteemed members of the music industry:
- Martin Denny | Director, Windsor Festival
- Alexander Van Ingen | Executive Producer, Champs Hill Records
- James Williams | Managing Director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Preliminary Jury
The Panel of Preliminary Jury for WFISC 2024 will be announced in due course.
Prizes
Prizes for the 9th Windsor Festival International String Competition are:
First Prize
- £5,000 cash prize
A concerto performance with WFISC associate orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in the 2024 Windsor Festival in the state appartments of Windsor Castle, by gracious permission of HM The King.
Solo recording opportunity with WFISC Recording Partner Champs Hill Records.
Further Concerto performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of their 2024-2025 UK Touring Programme.
London concerto performance with Festival Partner Orpheus Sinfonia in the 2024-2025 Season.
A minimum of two recitals, with Recital Partner, the William Walton Trust, at Sir William Walton’s home La Mortella, Ischia.
Second Prize
£2,000 cash prize
Third Prize
£1,000 cash prize
Audience Prize
WFISC Repertoire Requirements
Preliminary Round: Video submission of 2 or 3 contrasting pieces, lasting not more than 25 minutes in total duration. A piece maybe a single movement from a larger work if required.
Semi-final: A 45-minute recital, the submitted programme for which must include:
Two contrasting movements from a Bach solo sonata or partita
At least one movement from a major sonata or concerto for violin, viola or cello with piano accompaniment
A work written in or after 1975.
Beyond these 3 compulsory requirements, the submitted programme should contain further works of the competitors choice up to the time limit of 45 minutes.
Final: A 25-minute recital, the submitted programme for which must include:
Two or three contrasting works, one of which must include a movement from a major sonata for violin, viola or cello and piano
Semi-final and Final round time limits refer to the performance duration, and do not include time taken to tune or prepare the instrument once on stage.
Rules & regulations
The Rules and Regulations for the 2024 WFISC can be found here.
Application Eligibility
Windsor Festival International String Competition 2024 is open to all violinists, violists and cellists of every nationality aged between 16 and 26 on 10th March 2024.
Applications
Applications for the 2024 Windsor Festival International String Competition are now open. The closing date for applications will be 24th November at 23:59 (GMT).
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We are most grateful to our partners who support the WFISC and make it possible.
Windsor Festival International String Competition has given me such wonderful base to build up my career. Every time when I look back, I notice that without all the support from WFISC, I would have never imagined myself reaching so far.
Jiyoon Lee (2015 Winner)
I am at a loss for words. Everything about it was inspirational.
Nathan Meltzer (2017 Winner)