Applications Open for Concert Artists Guild's 2022 Virtual Victor Elmaleh Competition
The annual competition, open to all instruments, voice, and chamber ensembles, will be held virtually for the second year in a row due to the pandemic situation
The Concert Artists Guild, since 1951, have aimed to empower young musicians to launch sustainable, unique and relevant careers and to make an impact on the world through music.
Since commencing 70 years ago, CAG has helped launch the international careers of over 500 young musicians, including violinists Jennifer Joh, Joseph Lin, Eugene Drucker, and VC Artists Inmo Yang, Yoojing Jang, Geneva Lewis and Alexi Kenney and groundbreaking ensembles including the Imani Winds, Sybarite 5, Eighth Blackbird, the Pacifica and Parker String Quartets and the VC Artist Verona Quartet.
This year’s Grand Prize winners will receive international management representation in both North and South America and Europe jointly with Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) in London. They will also be offered Merkin Concert Hall in New York and Wigmore Hall in London recital debuts plus a series of workshops, panels and programs to address key areas that often fall outside the scope of traditional education but are fundamental to the success of any professional musician.
"We are looking for compelling artists that reach people through their music, that is paramount. Beyond that, we look to partner with artists that have a vision, creativity, hunger, and a wish to share and engage" - Concert Artists Guild President, Tanya Bannister
In order to be eligible for the 2022 competition, solo instrumentalists must be 28 or younger, solo singers must be 30 or younger, and ensembles must have an average age of 30 or less as of January 21, 2022. No member of the ensemble may be over the age of 35. Ensembles must also have been in existence, with the same members, as of January 21, 2021.
This year's jury comprises Jenny Bilfield, Phillippa Cole, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Brandon Patrick George, Jamie Martín, Tavia Nyong’o, Asadour Santourian, Kathy Schuman, Tanya Bannister, Chris Williams, Tim Mar, and Alasdair Tait.
"CAG has been really life-changing for our trio. During the height of the pandemic, they provided crucial support and community as well as very helpful professional development, so that we felt as though we were continuing to move forwards in our work" - Merz Trio violinist, Brigid Coleridge
"Now that concerts are returning, CAG has made sure that our schedule is full — and we've been on the road pretty continuously for the past few months!" Brigid this week told The Violin Channel.
"Our agents, Christopher and Timothy, and Tanya and the whole team, have all been such wonderful advocates for our work and have been available as sounding boards for any questions or fledgling ideas we might have — they have terrific insight into the workings of of the classical music world that we're very grateful to be able to draw on," she said.
Applications for the Concert Artists Guild's 2022 Victor Elmaleh Virtual Competition are to be received by January 21, 2022 — with the Finalist's Showcase and Winners' Announcement to be streamed LIVE here on The Violin Channel on May 25 and 26.
january 2025