Competition

... plans for the next competition are in preparation

The next competition will take place Wednesday, January 20th, 2027
(Arrival: Tuesday, January 19th) in Heidelberg.

 

Announcement and Schedule:

The Irene Steels Wilsing Foundation competition will take place on Wednesday, January 20th, 2027 as part of the Heidelberg String Quartet Festival.

The competition will take place in the Chamber Music Hall of the Heidelberg Stadthalle. 
The competition is open to the public and will be held before a large audience.

Start: 10:00a.m. End: 6:00p.m. 

The sound checks in the hall and the drawing of lots will take place on Tuesday, January 19, 2027, starting at 5:00 p.m.!

The application deadline for participation is October 15, 2026.

Professional string quartets may apply, provided that all members reside or have their primary place of residence in Europe or England and
- whose combined age on the day of the competition does not exceed 120 years; furthermore, NO member may be over 35 years old.

Application materials must be submitted in German or English exclusively via email to: irene@schwalb.de


 The application must include:
  • Quartet biography (continuous text) (max. 2,000 characters)
  • A link to a YouTube or WeTransfer recording of at least TWO movements from two DIFFERENT quartets of two different eras. (Live recordings PREFERRED)
  • A copy of each member’s passport showing their date of birth.
  • Titles and complete movement details of the two works prepared for the audition.
  • Two photos

 

EIGHT selected quartets will receive confirmation and an invitation by October 30, 2026, to participate in the competition on January 20, 2027, in Heidelberg. 

There are three prizes to be won, one for each quartet:

  1. Prize: Annual scholarship of 1,000 euros per month, 12,000 euros in total 
  2. Price:  6,000 euros
  3. Price:  4,000 euros 

as well as an Audience Choice Award from the Heidelberger Frühling
One of the winning quartets will be invited to participate in the 2028 String Quartet Festival.

 Please provide the full address of the contact person (including a cell phone number).

The presentation consists of:

a) a performance (movements from the specified works selected by the jury)

b) a discussion with the jury, lasting approximately 30 minutes in total.
     This discussion will cover, for example, the quartet’s current situation, its goals, and the works performed.

Both parts will take place in front of an audience. 


The jury consists of five members and will be announced at a later date.
Accommodation costs will not be covered, but the competition organizers can assist with finding lodging.
Travel expenses will be partially covered, depending on the amount.

By submitting the application, the applicant(s) simultaneously declare that they waive any right to appeal against the Foundation’s decisions and have no legal claim to the granting or payment of any funding promised by the Foundation.


Please direct any questions ONLY via email to Irene Schwalb: 

irene(at)schwalb.de
 

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