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Concours Montréal - Applications are now open for the 2026 edition dedicated to Violin
THE CONCOURS MUSICAL INTERNATIONAL DE MONTRÉAL
ANNOUNCES THE JURY AND GUEST CONDUCTOR
FOR THE 2026 EDITION – VIOLIN
Applications are Now Open for Violinists of the New Generation
Ready to Launch an International Career
Montréal, September 3, 2025 – Virtuosity, intensity, and passion will converge in Montréal from May 27 to June 4, 2026, for the next edition of the Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM). Applications are now open for the 24th edition of the Concours, dedicated to the violin.
Following a rigorous process of evaluation, 24 of the best violinists of the new generation from around the world will be invited to Montréal to take part in the 2026 edition of the Concours. They will perform at Salle Bourgie and Maison symphonique de Montréal before a prestigious jury, measure themselves against the best of their peers, and thrill the audiences in the hall and online with their artistry. Each competitor will perform in the hope of earning the title of laureate, and sharing valuable prizes, grants, and engagements worth over $150,000.
Classical violinists of all nationalities, born between 1995 and 2009 and ready to launch their career on the world stage, are invited to apply between now and October 31, 2025.
A New Jury President Leads an Expert Jury
The CMIM welcomes acclaimed violinist, sought-after pedagogue, and native Montrealer Lucie Robert as Jury President for the Concours 2026 – Violin edition. Lucie Robert has received enthusiastic praise from audiences and critics alike for the expressive lyricism and tonal beauty of her playing.??She has been a professor of violin at the Manhattan School of Music since 1988, where she carries on the great violin tradition of her teacher and mentor, the legendary Josef Gingold.
“Lucie Robert served on the jury for the Concours 2023, and we are delighted to welcome her back to Montréal in this new role,” said Shira Gilbert, Artistic Director. “She has a wealth of international experience as a performer, juror, and educator. She has already proven instrumental in planning for the Concours 2026, and it will be a true pleasure to have her with us for this next exciting edition.”
During the three rounds of the Concours, Lucie Robert will preside over a panel of eminent jury members with complementary backgrounds, expertise, and influence in the classical music world. They are:
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Ju-Young Baek – A laureate of numerous international competitions with an active performing career, she was the youngest violin professor to be appointed in the history of Seoul National University.
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Glenn Dicterow – Concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic for 34 years, Dicterow has performed as soloist with many of the world’s greatest conductors, with an extensive discography that reflects his distinguished career.
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Simin Ganatra – First violinist of the two-time Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet, Ganatra performs at prestigious concert halls and festivals worldwide.
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Yuzuko Horigome – With active performing careers in Japan and across Europe, she is as renowned as an educator as she is acclaimed for her numerous recordings.
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Régis Pasquier – The legendary French violinist’s extensive discography features the complete Paganini Caprices among other notable recordings.
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Barry Shiffman – The violinist and violist plays numerous leading roles at The Glenn Gould School in Toronto, the Banff International String Quartet Competition, and the Rockport Music festival.
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Pavel Vernikov – A student of David Oistrakh, Vernikov has graced the world’s most prestigious concert halls, and serves as Artistic Director of the Sion Festival in Switzerland.
Sascha Goetzel, Guest Conductor for 2026
Viennese-born conductor Sascha Goetzel is the Guest Conductor for the next edition of the Concours. The finalists of this edition will once again have the opportunity to perform with the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM), the official orchestra of the CMIM.
A dynamic, charismatic, and compelling presence on the podium, Goetzel will conduct the OSM for the Concours Final at Maison symphonique on the evenings of June 3 and 4, 2026.
Originally trained as a violinist, Goetzel currently serves as Music Director of the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire and the Ulsan Philharmonic, as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the Timisoara Philharmonic in Romania and the Kraków Philharmonic in Poland. Committed to music education, Goetzel has also served as Music Director of The National Youth Orchestra of Canada (NYO Canada) and led the NYO and members of the European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) in a collaborative concert tour of Ontario and Quebec in 2019.?
Mark your calendars!
From May 27 to June 4, 2026, the Concours musical international de Montréal
promises unforgettable performances and emotional moments.
“The CMIM offers audiences the extraordinary opportunity to discover the best young violinists of the new generation. Everything is in place to foster great performances on our stages,” said Chantal Poulin, Executive Director. “We invite music lovers in Montréal to save the dates – May 27 to June 4, 2026 – for this remarkable international celebration of excellence and virtuosity.”
Video: Apply now!
ABOUT THE CONCOURS MUSICAL INTERNATIONAL DE MONTRÉAL
The Concours musical international de Montréal (CMIM) enjoys an undeniable reputation as one of the most prestigious and welcoming international music competitions around the world. A multidisciplinary event, the Concours has welcomed annually since 2002, in turn, singers, violinists, and pianists. Well over 5,000 musicians of the new generation from more than 90 countries and trained at the world’s most important musical schools have entered the competition. A major event on Montréal’s cultural calendar, the Concours musical international de Montréal is a high-profile showcase that shapes the future of the classical music scene by offering its laureates invaluable visibility and professional opportunities.? The competitors measure themselves against their peers, performing before a jury of classical music luminaries and music lovers in Montréal. Events of the Concours musical international de Montréal events are viewed by more than 3 million people annually worldwide.
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Facebook / Instagram: @CMIMontreal
Shira Gilbert
Directrice Artistique | Artistic Director
Concours musical international de Montréal | concoursmontreal.ca
Concours musical international de Montréal | concoursmontreal.ca
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