This is the 18th year the Kendall National Violin Competition (KNVC) has brought four of the best young violinists in Australia to Kendall to compete for the title of winner.
The semi-final, held at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on August 7, was of a very high standard for the eight competitors.
“ABC Radio National attended the semi-final in preparation for a documentary of the event. They were highly impressed with the brilliant performances and will be present at the final on Saturday September 17 in the Kendall School of Arts,” said spokesperson Ensi Payne.
“This competition is gaining prestige as one of the most important in Australia for young violinists. The main prize is a beautiful hand-crafted violin made by the luthier, Michal Prokop. The KNVC Committee acknowledge the generosity of other sponsors for monetary prizes.”
The four finalists are Zoe Freisberg, Kyla Matsuura-Miller and Yebin Yoo from the Australian National Academy of Music, Melbourne, and Gemma Lee from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.
“This competition has helped many violinists towards international careers including the impressive Ray Chen who is now an internationally renowned soloist,” Goetz Richter, the artistic director of the KNVC and associate professor of strings at the Sydney Conservatorium said.
“We acknowledge the ongoing support of the Forestry Corporation of NSW who have made this event possible since its inception in 1999.”
On Sunday September 18 the winner will perform in the Celebration Concert at 2pm together with other visiting musicians from Sydney Conservatorium.
Competition tickets cost half day $15 and full day $25 (students $5 and $10) for the Saturday competition at 10am and 2pm can be ordered from Mavis Barnes by sending a self-addressed envelope with cheque or money order to KNVC, P.O. Box 86, Kendall or phone 6559 4399. Tickets for the Sunday concert are $30 and $15 for students – also from Mavis Barnes.
