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Important Details about the 2024 Competition

If you are a student or the parent of a student that is interested in the Stulberg International String Competition, you can find all the details about it listed here. Make sure that you read through eligibility requirements and full details of the competition before applying. If you have any questions about any details listed, reach out on our contact page.

Eligibility

  • The Stulberg Competition is open to students of violin, viola, cello or double bass.
  • Applicants must be age 19 or under as of January 1, 2024.  Proof of date of birth will be required if selected as a semifinalist.
  • Current students of the 2024 Judges are not eligible to apply. Judges are Annalee Patipatanakoon (violin), Roman Borys (cello), Jamie Parker (piano).

About the Competition

  • Applications are reviewed by a panel of judges who will select twelve semifinalists and four alternates.
  • Applicants will be notified of results no later than March 15, 2024.
  • Twelve semifinalists will compete in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18, 2024, before a panel of judges and an audience.
  • Semifinalists will perform a selection from a required list of Bach and a movement(s) from a standard concerto.
  • Six finalists will be chosen at the competition, and will perform additional movement/s at a Finals Concert to determine medalists.

Awards & Prizes

Semifinalists

The top twelve competitors are invited to perform before an audience and our panel of world renowned judges. The judges will give each semifinalist written and oral comments after the competition.

Bach Award

The semifinalist competitor judged to have given the best performance of a solo Bach selection is given the Bach Award on Friday, May 17, 2024. This award is a cash prize of $1,000.

Finalists

The top six finalist competitors will be announced.

First Prize*

The winner of first place is awarded the Burdick-Thorne Gold Medal with a cash prize of $6,000 and a concerto performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (Julian Kuerti, Music Director) and/or the Grand Rapids Symphony (Marcelo Lehninger, Music Director), as well as a concerto performance with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (Markand Thakar, Music Director) in the subsequent season.

Second Prize*

The winner of second place is awarded the Silver Medal with a cash prize of $5,000. The Silver Medalist award includes a return performance with the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra (Bruce Uchimura, Music Director). Julius Stulberg was Professor of Violin at WMU and Conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra from 1945 to 1974.

Third Prize*

The winner of third place is awarded the Pinehurst Bronze Medal with a cash prize of $4,000. The Bronze Medalist is also awarded a performance with the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra (Andrew Koehler, Music Director). Founded in 1939, the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest and finest youth symphony orchestras in the United States and has been accorded many national and international honors. It was directed by Julius Stulberg from 1941 through 1974.

*The Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes money will be received in two payments; first half will be received immediately after the competition and the other half after the performance award concert.

Semifinalist Stipends

The nine semifinalists not chosen for medals will each receive a $1,000 stipend.