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Important Details about the 2025 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.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025 STULBERG COMPETITION HAVE CLOSED

Informational Packet for Teachers

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, 2025.  Proof of date of birth will be required if selected as a semifinalist.
  • Current students of the 2025 Judges are not eligible to apply. Judges are Rachel Barton Pine (violin), Li-Wei Qin (cello), Lucas Richman (composition/violin).

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, 2025.
  • Twelve semifinalists will compete in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Saturday, May 17, 2025, before a panel of judges and an audience.
  • Semifinalists will perform 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.
  • NEW for 2025: For this year’s competition, there will be no solo Bach performance/prize. Instead, the twelve selected semifinalists will prepare the first movement of a newly commissioned work during the live semifinals round. More details will be provided directly to the selected semifinalists.

Awards & Prizes

Semifinalists

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

Finalists

The top six finalist competitors will be announced following the semifinals performances.

Gold Medal Prize*

The first place contestant is awarded the Gold Medal (sponsored by Kenneth Warren & Son) with a cash prize of $10,000 and a concerto performance with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (Julian Kuerti, Music Director), as well as a concerto performance with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (Robert Moody, Music Director) in the subsequent season.

Silver Medal Prize*

The second place contestant is awarded the Silver Medal with a cash prize of $7,000. 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.

Pinehurst Bronze Medal Prize*

The third place contestant is awarded the Pinehurst Bronze Medal with a cash prize of $5,000. 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.

Julius and Esther Stulberg Memorial Prize

In honor of the 50th Anniversary, composer and 2025 Competition Judge, Lucas Richman, was commissioned to create a concerto that will be premiered by one semifinalist selected by the panel of judges. In addition, the selected contestant will receive a $1,000 cash prize and mentorship with 2025 Stulberg Judge, Rachel Barton Pine, over the course of 3-4 sessions conducted over Zoom.

The commissioned piece of approximately 25 minutes in length, titled “Concerto for (selected contestant’s instrument)” will be delivered to the selected contestant in August 2025. Following the delivery of the piece, the contestant will schedule four virtual mentorship sessions with Rachel Barton Pine. The mentorship sessions will focus on the following subjects:

  • Session 1: Score Study of the Commissioned Concerto
    • This session will consist of analysis of the piece, developing the performer’s understanding of the piece, and creating a plan for preparing the piece.
  • Session 2: Preparing to Collaborate with a Composer
    • This session will touch on navigating the relationships between a soloist, composer, and various leaders at an orchestra, including conductors and administrators.
  • Session 3: Lesson on the Commissioned Work*
    • *For violin or viola soloist only
  • Session 4: Collaborative Session
    • Working session with Lucas Richman, Rachel Barton Pine, and the selected performer.

The premiere performance will be held with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra in a concert during the 2025- 2026 season.

Semifinalist Stipends

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