Semi-Finalists Announced at England's Aronowitz International Viola Competition

The Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition is being held in Birmingham, England from November 6 to 12 — with all rounds streaming LIVE here on The Violin Channel

Open to international violists 21 years of age and younger, the first prize winner will receive £5000, an album recording with Champs Hill Records, a fine viola bow made by Robert Shallock, courtesy of Bishop Instruments & Bows, plus a set of Pirastro Evah Pirazzi Gold Viola Strings and Rosin and a Pirastro Viola KorfkerRest.

This year's eight semi-finalists are:

• Alvara Castello (Spain)

• Edgar Francis (United Kingdom)

• Haneul Park (South Korea)

• Connie Pharoah (United Kingdom)

• Noga Shaham (Israel)

• Marvin Stark (Germany)

• Anna Sypniewski (France)

• Otoha Tabata (Japan)

For the Semi-Final round, each of the eight candidates will present Brahms’ “Two Songs for Voice, Viola and Piano” Op. 91 — plus a Solo Viola Caprice of Etude of their own choosing.

The opening round is available now for playback here on The Violin Channel and the Semi-Final round will streamed LIVE on November 10 from 10:15am.

The 2021 jury is comprised of Thomas Riebl, Matthew Jones, and Garth Knox.

Previous first prize winners include VC Artist Timothy Ridout.