Welcome

In 2008, Windsor Festival launched its International String Competition in honour of Sir Yehudi Menuhin. Menuhin, along with Ian Hunter, was one of the founding Artistic Directors of the Festival which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, and his orchestra and family, along with many friends, were the major participants in the early years.

Now in its third year the Competition has moved to the spring. It is now held biennially and takes during the Windsor Spring Festival. In its new position within the academic year the competition will facilitate a high standard of competitor and allow the competition to develop its own unique profile aside from the main Windsor Festival programme, held annually in September. The Competition continues to be made possible by generous benefactors who are keen to see opportunity given to young musicians through the Festival. Using our existing structure of performances and building on our growing appeal we are able to fulfill this wish whilst furthering our engagement with the development of young musicians, which remains one of our objectives.

We are most grateful to those who have donated prizes and to those who have agreed to join the international jury. The strength of this panel and the quality of the prizes enable us to continue developing and expanding the Competition, confident of its appeal.

As Festival Director I feel strongly that it is important that we live-up to the example set by Yehudi Menuhin in fostering talent and building opportunities for those at the start of their musical careers. We consider this Competition an important and integral addition to the Festival. Through it our vision is to build strong relationships with the next generation of performers, to ensure that talent is nurtured, encouraged and supported.

Martin Denny
Festival Director