Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition Announces Third Triennial Edition

The Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition (EOIVC), in collaboration with violinist Elmar Oliveira and the Lynn University Conservatory of Music, will be accepting applications starting on May 3, 2022. 

The EOIVC, a flagship program of the newly-launched Elevar Foundation, aims to offer career-defining opportunities to young violinists ages 16-32. 

The 2023 candidates will be selected through a four-step process: online-only preliminary round via video submissions, in-person quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals. A maximum of 20 quarter-finalists will be chosen from the online submissions.

The schedule of the competition will be as followed: the quarter-final round from January 19-21, 2023, the semi-final round from January 24-25, 2023, and the final round from January 28-29, at the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center on Lynn’s campus.

Music Director and Conductor Guillermo Figueroa will lead the Lynn Philharmonia and the four finalists in two concerts, which will be ticketed events open to the public. 

The four finalists will have a chance to win the cash prizes. First prize winner will receive $30,000; second $15,000; third $10,000; and honorable mention $5,000. The first prize winner will also receive performance opportunities across the U.S., career support in the areas of management and public relations, instruments crafted by some of the world’s finest artisans, and a Musafia instrument case.

Deeply committed to promoting contemporary music, works by four of today’s leading musical voices will be featured as repertoire at the competition. The composers include Jessie Montgomery, Gabriela Lena Frank, Christopher Theofanidis, and Thomas McKinley. More information on the repertoire requirements can be found here.

The 2023 Jury will include violinist Andrés Cárdenes as Chairman, in addition to Ilya Kaler, Ida Kavafian, Irina Muresanu, Barry Shiffman, Almita Vamos, and Peter Zazofsky. David Cerone, who served as EOIVC 2020 Chairman of the Jury, will act as an alternate judge.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, all competitors, judges, pianists, and staff who attend will need to show proof of an up to date Covid vaccination and a negative Covid test prior to participating in the quarter-final round.

The EOIVC will provide all competitors who advance to the quarter-final round a reimbursement of up to $150 for domestic and $300 for international roundtrip air travel to and from the competition — as well as hotel accommodations while competing. 

Former prize winners include violinist Julian Rhee, winner of the 2020 edition, and VC Young Artist Sirena Huang, winner of the first edition in 2017.

Online submissions for entry will be accepted beginning May 3, 2022, and can be made here. Along with a $125 registration fee, submissions will close on September 29, 2022.