The renowned Michael Hill International Violin competition celebrates its 25^th anniversary in 2026 when sixteen young violinists from all over the world converge on Queenstown to compete in the prestigious event.

The competition which is supported by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts & Music is scheduled for May 29 until June 6 in both Queenstown and Auckland.

Executive director Anne Rodda says the competition will be “particularly poignant with the recent passing of our founder Sir Michael Hill. We will miss seeing him in the front row of every performance but will be taking the opportunity to honour him”.

“It was Sir Michael’s vision to create a contest to launch the careers of young violinists and the triennial event has become a platform for some of the world’s most successful contemporary soloists, teachers, concertmasters and ensemble players.”

The selection panel for the 2026 competition is Andrew Beer (concertmaster Auckland Philharmonia), Amalia Hall ((violinist NZTrio) Nikki Chooi ( 2013 Michael Hill winner and concertmaster Buffalo Philharmonic and Santa Fe Opera Orchestra) Mark Menzies (Professor of Music Canterbury University) and Vesa-Matti Leppanen (concertmaster NZSO) while the judging panel is a who’s who of the international violin world.

“The competition takes its responsibility for setting the world’s best violinists on their career paths very seriously,” says Anne. “As such, judges consider all aspects of the presentation including technique, musical knowledge and maturity as well as audience engagement and communication skills.”

The quarter- finals will be staged in Queenstown where six competitors are selected for the semi-finals in Auckland. The top three will perform in the grand final with the Auckland Philharmonia on June 6.

The winner receives $40,000, a recording contract with the Atoll label and a tour with Chamber Music New Zealand. A prize pool valued at over $100,000 including a three-year loan of a Domenica Montagnana violin facilitated by Rare Violins of New York.

For ticket information www.violincompetition.co.nz