Mayor Levar M. Stoney, who was instrumental in bringing the Menuhin Competition to Richmond, said, “The City of Richmond is honored to be hosting the 2020 Menuhin Competition, and we can’t wait to witness the talent of these 44 exceptional musicians from around the world on display in our arts-centric city. We are especially excited for the opportunities during the Competition to share the gift of music in our schools and with our community, and perhaps inspire the next generation of great violinists right here in Richmond and the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Governor Ralph Northam and First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam are Honorary Patrons of the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2020. “The Governor and I are pleased that the prestigious Menuhin Competition, an international celebration of music and youth, will take place in Virginia’s capital city this year,” said First Lady Pamela Northam. “The Commonwealth is proud to host these distinguished young violinists, including a Virginia participant! We look forward to welcoming the many visitors from around the world that the 2020 ‘Olympics of the Violin’ will bring.”   

About the Richmond 2020 competitors

The 44 competitors in the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2020, ranging in age from 11 to 21, come from around the world: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. Of those who are in the United States, they hail from California, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and from the home of this year’s Competition, Virginia. See below for a complete list of Junior and Senior competitors. 

In their personal statements, many competitors talk about being selected for the Competition as a dream come true, having watched previous competitions on YouTube. By and large, there is not much talk of “winning.” In fact, quite a few specifically say that just being invited to attend is a huge win. They are universally excited about meeting their violin heroes, but they’re also looking forward to meeting other young people who are, as 13-year-old Edward Walton put it, “as enthusiastic about playing the violin as I am.” Another 13-year-old, Boha Moon, takes a more philosophical approach, saying, “I think participating in the Menuhin Competition is a bit like climbing a tall mountain. It’s important not to rush but to enjoy the excitement and challenges of the mountain!... As the old Korean saying goes, ‘No one can beat the one who enjoys it!’” 
 

Menuhin Competition Richmond 2020 in the Community

The Competition’s founder, Yehudi Menuhin, had a vision of the Competition as an event that would inspire the next generation of violinists, especially in the places where the Competition is held. To stay true to that vision, the partners of the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2020 will present several special events around the city and beyond, to bring the visiting artists and young competitors – as well as the excitement of the Competition – to people all over the Richmond area and throughout Virginia.

On Saturday, May 2, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) will present “Violin Day” for students (K-12) from across Virginia. Throughout the day, pre-eminent fiddler and pedagogue Mark O’Connor will lead jam sessions, clinics, workshops and masterclasses for children (grouped by age and ability). There will also be student performances, a mini-competition and a short performance by Mark & Maggie O’Connor (preceding their full-length evening concert at the Byrd Theatre on May 20). All events will take place at VCU’s Singleton Center. O’Connor will return to Singleton Center on Sunday May 3, for a day of professional development for teachers, introducing them to his highly acclaimed “O’Connor Method” for string teachers. Participants will be eligible to receive recertification credit for their attendance. More details and registration coming soon.

In addition, Richmond 2020 competitors and guest artists will visit elementary and secondary schools throughout the region to share their experiences, hold workshops and perform for students. This is an unparalleled opportunity for local children to see, meet and be inspired by extraordinary violinists their own age and to benefit from encounters with exceptional professional musicians.

On Saturday, May 23, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the venue for a special art-and-music program, “Portrait of the City.” Works of art, created by students from the Richmond region, celebrating different aspects of the City of Richmond will be on view. The renowned Sphinx Virtuosi, Artists-in-Residence for the Competition, will also perform alongside student winners of the Violin Day mini-competition. 

Selected Richmond 2020 Events to be Livestreamed on VPM

VPM, Virginia’s home for public media, will provide livestream coverage of every competitive round, the Opening and Closing Gala concerts and the day of jury masterclasses. VPM will also offer local public radio and television broadcasts of select performances. All live coverage can be accessed through menuhincompetition.org and vpm.org.

Christian Li, Australia, and Chloe Chua, Singapore, Joint winners of the Menuhin Competition Geneva 2018 Junior 1st Prize