Musician Barry Shiffman served as jury chairman for the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition. (photo courtesy of Rockport Chamber Music Festival)

The Colburn School and the American Viola Society announced the 24 live round competitors for the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition.

The competition was established by the American Viola Society in 1979 to encourage young violinists. For more than 40 years, the competition has continued to attract distinguished jurors and talented participants worldwide.

Its laureates occupy principal seats of major symphony orchestras, act as professors in major centers of education and have achieved critical acclaim as international soloists.

This year’s 24 live round competitors were chosen from a pool of 103 applications received during a pre-screening round that closed in July 2021.

The musicians will compete in the 2021 Primrose International Viola Competition at the Colburn School from December 13-18.

The 24 competitors come from all over the world, representing 10 countries. The average age of participants is 23, with the youngest aged 18 and the oldest aged 29.

“After a prolonged period of closure, it is especially meaningful this year to be able to present, in-person, the Primrose International Viola Competition in collaboration with the American Viola Society,” said Colburn School President and CEO Sel Kardan. “As we prepare for the 16th international competition honoring the legacy of William Primrose, we look forward to hearing the next top soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral players, and pedagogues on campus. These talented young musicians are an inspiration and testament to perseverance during the challenging pandemic period, and this will undoubtedly be an uplifting week of music and celebration.”

Each of the live round participants will compete in the quarter-final round from Dec. 13-14, and eight competitors will advance to the semi-final round held on Dec. 16.

During the quarter-final round, competitors will perform works that demonstrate the musical and virtuosic strengths of the competitor, including the performance of one piece for solo viola or for viola and piano by a BIPOC composer. During the semi-final round, competitors will perform selected works and also have the freedom to choose their repertoire, including original works.

During the final round on Dec. 18, the final three competitors will perform, in its entirety, either the Bartók/Serly Viola Concerto or Walton Viola Concerto with the Colburn Orchestra, conducted by Salonen Conducting Fellow Kyle Dickson.

The winner will be announced during an awards ceremony held shortly after the final round. The first prize winner will receive $15,000; the second prize winner will receive $10,000; the third prize winner will receive $5,000; the transcriptions prize winner will receive $1,000; and the BIPOC prize winner will receive $1,000.

The first prize winner will perform at the 2022 American Viola Society Festival and 47th International Viola Congress in June 2022.

In conjunction with the Primrose International Viola Competition, the American Viola Society will host a mini-fest at the Colburn School from Dec. 17-18, 2021 featuring master classes, recitals and educational sessions.

Free access is available for ticket holders attending the quarter-, semi- or final rounds of competition, as well as any member of the Southern California Viola Society or American Viola Society.

All live rounds will be streamed on theviolinchannel.com. For information, visit colburnschool.edu.