2026 Competition
Welcome to the Tenth Windsor Festival International String Competition 2026
Taking place in Windsor, UK, 27 September - 2 October 2026.
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 2026 Competition Schedule
- 29th July 2026: closing date for applications at 23:59 (GMT).
- 14th August 2026: 12 successful WFISC 2026 Semi-finalists selected.
- 21st August 2026: Finalisation of Semi-final and Final Programmes
- 24th August 2026: drawing of competition order.
- 25th Sept - 3rd Oct 2026: WFISC 2024 Semi-finalists resident in Windsor, UK.
- 29th and 30th September 2026: WFISC 2026 Semi-Finals.
- 30th September 2026, 22:00 GMT: Announcement of WFISC 2026 Finalists.
- 2nd October 2026: WFISC 2026 Final.
- September 2027: First Prize winner concerto performance with Associate Orchestra, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of Windsor Festival 2027
- 2027 Season: London Concerto with Orpheus Sinfonia.
- 2027-2028 Season: Further Concerto performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of their UK Touring Programme.
- 2027-2028 Season: Recitals in La Mortella, Ischia as part of the William Walton Foundation Series.
International Jury
The Panel of International Jury for WFISC 2026 are:
- Joji Hattori | Violin | Japanese
- Lars Tomter | Viola | Norwegian
- Raphael Wallfish | 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
- Tom Philpott | Programming Director, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Preliminary Jury
The Panel of Preliminary Jury for WFISC 2026 will be announced in due course.
Prizes
Prizes for the 10th 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 2027 Windsor Festival in the state apartments 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 2027-2028 UK Touring Programme.
London concerto performance with Festival Partner Orpheus Sinfonia in the 2027 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:
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.
At least one movement from a major sonata or concerto for violin, viola or cello with piano accompaniment
Two contrasting movements from a Bach solo sonata or partita
Final: A concerto, selected from the following list:
Violin
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216
- Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64
- Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893) Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35
Viola
- Carl Stamitz (1745–1801) Viola Concerto No. 1 in D major
- Franz Anton Hoffmeister (1754–1812) Viola Concerto in D major
- William Walton (1902–1983) Viola Concerto
Cello
- Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) Cello Concerto No. 1 in C major, Hob. VIIb:1
- Robert Schumann (1810–1856) Cello Concerto in A minor, Op. 129
- Edward Elgar (1857–1934) Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
Semi-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 2026 WFISC can be found here.
Application Eligibility
Windsor Festival International String Competition 2026 is open to all violinists, violists and cellists of every nationality aged between 16 and 26 on 27th September 2026.
Applications
Applications for the 2026 Windsor Festival International String Competition are now open. The closing date for applications will be 24th July 2026 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)