Windsor Festival International String Competition

In 2008, Windsor Festival launched its International String Competition in honour of Sir Yehudi Menuhin.

The [https://windsorfestival.com/international-string-competition Windsor Festival International String Competition] (WFISC) was inaugurated in 2008 to honor the festival's founder, Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Held biennially at Windsor Castle, the competition seeks to identify and support exceptional young string soloists, providing them with opportunities to launch their professional careers. Over the years, WFISC has become one of the foremost competitions of its kind, attracting talented violinists, violists, and cellists from around the world. Notable past winners include cellist Brian O'Kane (2008), violinist Diana Galvydyte (2009), and cellist Andrew Byun (2024).

The first round is judged by submission of a video, and eight candidates out of around 200 applicants proceed through to the live rounds in Windsor, UK. The Semi-finals see each competitor perform a 45-minute public recital. Three go through to the Final round, where they compete by playing a 25-minute public recital in front of an audience in the Waterloo Chamber of the Windsor Castle.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestrad.com/featured-stories/a-royal-occasion-postcard-from-windsor/9008.article | title=A Royal Occasion – Postcard from Windsor |website=thestrad.com |date=1 June 2019 |access-date=7 December 2024}} Prizes are presented by Festival Patron, HRH The Earl of Wessex.

In 2019 the number of accepted Semi-finalists increased from eight to twelve candidates. In 2021 with the global COVID-19 pandemic restricting travel across the world the competition was held virtually.{{cite web | url=https://journalofmusic.com/listing/23-07-21/international-string-competition | title=International String Competition |website=journalofmusic.com |date=11 August 2021 |access-date=7 December 2024}}

The overall winner of the 2nd WFISC was Diana Galyvdyte from Lithuania who also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The Second Prize went to Savitri Grier.

The overall winner of the 3rd WFISC was Yuki Ito from Japan.{{cite web | url=https://www.thestrad.com/japanese-cellist-yuki-ito-wins-windsor-competition/3252.article | title=Japanese cellist Yuki Ito wins Windsor competition |website=thestrad.com |date=22 March 2011 |access-date=7 December 2024}} The Second Prize went to Jiafeng Chen, and Third Prize was awarded to Michael Petrov, who also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The judging panel for the final consisted of Eugene Sarbu, Paul Silverthorne, Gustav Rivinius, Owain Arwel Hughes CBE, and Sean Bishop.

The winner of the 4th WFISC was Benjamin Baker from New Zealand. Baker also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The Second Prize went to Yuka Ishizuka, and Third Prize was awarded to Marisol Lee. The judging panel for the final consisted of Erich Gruenberg, Paul Silverthorne, Thomas Demenga, David Whelton, and Alexander Van Ingen.

The overall winner of the 5th WFISC was Ji Yoon Lee from South Korea. The Second Prize went to Timothy Ridout from Britain, and Third Prize was awarded to Elina Buksha from Latvia, who also won the Audience Prize, as voted for by the audience on the night of the Final. The judging panel for the final consisted of Erich Gruenberg, Roger Benedict, Raphael Wallfisch, David Whelton, Alexander Van Ingen, and Martin Denny.

• List of classical music competitions#String instruments

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Category:Violin competitions

Category:Music competitions in the United Kingdom

Category:Events at Windsor Castle