Upping its game: 10th anniversary Windsor Festival International String Competition concludes with concerto finale with orchestra for the first time

The 2026 Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC) is the 10th anniversary competition and for this WFISC is upping its game and introducing a concerto final. The competition runs from 27 September to 2 October 2026 with semi-finals on 29 and 30 September and then the final on 2 October. 

The final will allow the final three competitors to perform a complete concerto with full orchestra, selecting a concerto from a set list that includes works by Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky (violin), Stamitz, Hoffmeister, and Walton (viola) and Haydn, Schumann, and Elgar (cello).

The first prize includes a cash prize, a solo recording opportunity with WFISC recording partner Champs Hill Records, a concerto performance with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, in Windsor Castle during the 2027 Windsor Festival and further concerto performances with the orchestra on tour. Another first for WFISC is a concerto commission from Sally Beamish, and world premiere London performance with Orpheus Sinfonia in 2027.

The Windsor Festival was founded in 1969 with Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Hunter as Artistic Directors. Based around the participation of the Menuhin Festival Orchestra with Yehudi Menuhin using St George's Chapel, the State Apartments of Windsor Castle and other venues around Windsor and Eton. WFISC was launched in 2008, in memory of festival founder, and violinist, Yehudi Menuhin and recent winners include: Jiyoon Lee, Nathan Meltzer, Jonathan Swensen and Daniil Bulayev.

The competition is open to all violinists, violists, and cellists, aged 16-26, of all nationalities and the closing date for applications is 29 July 2026. Full details regarding eligibility, timeline, repertoire requirements, and the application process can be found on the official website.