Stulberg International String Competition
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2025 Stulberg International String Competition Requirements
The Stulberg Competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
Applicants must be age 19 or under as of January 1, 2025. Proof of date of birth will be required if selected as a semifinalist.
Current students of the 2025 Judges are not eligible to apply. Judges are Rachel Barton Pine (violin), Li-Wei Qin (cello), Lucas Richman (composition/violin).
Questions? Please email the Stulberg International String Competition at info@stulbergcomp.org or call (269) 343-2776. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
- Application Deadline: Saturday, February 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. EST)
- Competition Date: Friday, May 16 - Saturday May 17, 2025
- Competition Venue: Kalamazoo, Michigan
The Stulberg Competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello, or double bass.
Applicants must be age 19 or under as of January 1, 2025. Proof of date of birth will be required if selected as a semifinalist.
Current students of the 2025 Judges are not eligible to apply. Judges are Rachel Barton Pine (violin), Li-Wei Qin (cello), Lucas Richman (composition/violin).
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
- Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges who will select twelve semifinalists and four alternates.
- Applicants will be notified of results no later than March 15, 2025.
- Twelve semifinalists will compete in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday, May 17, 2025, before a panel of judges and an audience.
- Semifinalists will perform a selection from a movement(s) from a standard concerto.
- Six finalists will be chosen at the competition, and will perform additional movement(s) at a Finals Concert to determine the medalists.
- NEW for 2025: For this year’s competition, there will be no solo Bach performance/prize. Instead, the twelve selected semifinalists will prepare the first movement of a newly commissioned work during the live semifinals round. More details will be provided directly to the selected semifinalists.
- Details and guidelines available here.
2025 AWARDS & PRIZES
- Gold Medal (sponsored by Kenneth Warren & Son): $10,000 award and performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, as well as a concerto performance with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra in the subsequent season.
- Silver Medal: $7,000 award and performance with the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra
- Pinehurst Bronze Medal: $5,000 award and performance with the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra
- Julius and Esther Stulberg Memorial Prize: $1,000 award, the opportunity to premiere a commissioned concerto, composed by Lucas Richman, with the Kalamazoo Symphony in the subsequent season, and four mentorship sessions with violinist Rachel Barton Pine.
- Semifinalist Stipend: $1,000 each to the nine semifinalists not chosen for medals.
Questions? Please email the Stulberg International String Competition at info@stulbergcomp.org or call (269) 343-2776. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST.
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