2025 GUIDE TO TOP COMPETITIONS
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Schadt National String Competition
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ABOUT THIS COMPETITION
The Competition began in 1997 following a bequest to the Allentown Symphony Association from Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt. The Competition alternates biennially between violin and cello. The first prize is $12,000 and a solo concerto with the ASO; second prize is $5,000 and a solo recital engagement. Third Prize is $2,500.
MAIN OFFICE
23 North 6th Street
Allentown, PA 18101 UNITED STATES
610-674-4389
WEBSITE
https://www.millersymphonyhall.org/education-community/national-schadt-string-competition/background
ELIGIBILITY
Age 18 to 30; must be 18 or not have reached 31st birthday by December 15, deadline year. Proof of United States citizenship is required; if not a citizen, a copy of your visa or green card is required with entry.
ARTISTIC DISCIPLINE(S)
Strings
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DETAILS |
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| Travel Covered? | No |
| Frequency | Biennial |
| First prize | $10,000 to $50,000 |
| Smallest prize | Less than $5,000 |
| Additional prizes | Performances |
| Jury chair(s) | Diane Wittry, music director & conductor, Allentown Symphony Orchestra |
| Additional jurors | Jury members for the 2026 Violin Edition will be announced. Jury members for 2024 Cello Edition of the competition were: Anthony Elliot, Norman Fischer, Julian Schwarz, David Ying |
| Jury size | 1 to 5 |
| Application fee | $75 |
| Application deadline | December 15, 2025 |
| Application notes | The deadline date above is for the next Violin Competition; Cello 2028 Competition deadline is December 27, 2026. The following pieces are not allowed for the 2026 Competition: "Violin Concerto" by Samuel Barber; "Violin Concerto' by Edward Elgar; Scottish Fantasy by Max Bruch; and "Violin Concerto" by Feliz Mendelssohn. |
SEMIFINALS (live rounds)
March 7, 2026—violin, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, PA |
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FINALS (live rounds)
March 8, 2026—violin, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown, PA |
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COMPETITION OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
| ✖ | Semifinals | ✖ | Semifinals streamed |
| ✔ | Finals | ✖ | Finals streamed |
PAST COMPETITION WINNERS
2024 Gaeun Kim, cello
2022 Leonard Fu, violin
2020 Gabriel Martins, cello
2018 Timothy Chooi, violin
2016 Alexander Hersh, cello
2015 Zeyu Victor Li, violin
2022 Leonard Fu, violin
2020 Gabriel Martins, cello
2018 Timothy Chooi, violin
2016 Alexander Hersh, cello
2015 Zeyu Victor Li, violin
SOCIAL LINKS
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