Competition History

One evening in 1975, a small group of friends and colleagues of the late Julius Stulberg, met in the home of his widow Esther Lieberman Stulberg. Their purpose that evening was to determine the most appropriate form of memorial to establish in honor of Julius and his life's work - the sharing of music and its impact on the lives of young musicians. At the time of his death in 1974, Julius Stulberg had been Professor of Violin at Western Michigan University and Conductor of the University Symphony for twenty eight years. He had also been conducting the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra for thirty one years. Under his direction, the youth orchestra had grown from a "pay-as-you-play" endeavor (the participants paid a quarter as they came in the door for rehearsals) to an ensemble of international prominence. Julius was a violin teacher of considerable repute. His former students played in many of the major orchestras of the United States and Europe. His impact on the lives of young musicians was immeasurable. It was out of a desire to memorialize Julius' commitment to youth and music that the Stulberg International String Competition was born.

In the thirty four years since its creation the organization has seen tremendous growth, developing from a regional attraction to an internationally recognized event. Past Competition winners have gone on to significant artistic careers. They include Joshua Bell, concert violinist; Sheryl Staples, Principal Associate Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic; Ivan Chan, first violinist of the Miami Quartet; Cathy Basrak, Assistant Principal Viola of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Principal Viola of the Boston Pops; and Kalamazoo's own Anthony Ross, principal cellist of the Minnesota Orchestra.

The performance scope of the competition has changed over time. The competition now benefits from collaborations with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, which supports an appearance by the Burdick-Thorne Gold Medal Winner and the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra, which offers a performance to the Pinehurst Bronze Medal recipient. The Fontana Chamber Arts Summer Festival Series features a solo recital by the Stulberg Silver Medal recipient. The most recent collaboration with the Kalamazoo Bach Festival Society provides the Bach Award, a cash prize given to the best performance of a Bach piece by a semifinalist.

When the Stulberg Competition was established in 1975, a step into the unknown was required. Throughout the past thirty four years the organization has held as guiding principles, the basic tenets of the founders; providing a nurturing atmosphere for young talent, featuring judges of the highest caliber and maintaining the integrity for which Julius & Esther Stulberg were known.

The competition is now a two tiered event (semifinals and finals).The day before the competition, master classes are given by the competition judges for string instrument students from around the area and the state of Michigan.

You can be a part of this exciting growth and international youth experience by joining us as a volunteer or contributing of you resources.

Please see donation form or contact The Stulberg Competition at:

359 S. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 14
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269.343.2776
Email: stulbergcomp@yahoo.com