Call for applications: International Violin Making Competition in France

The competition is organised in partnership with the Talents & Violon'celles association and the Musée de la. It will be programmed at the same time as the 10th String Quartet Biennial, which follows in the tradition of the many international instrument-making competitions that Paris has hosted.

The organisers are seeking to work with cello (violoncello) instrument makers. The cello presented must be made from an emblematic instrument from the collection of the Museum of Music, which will provide the same documentation to all candidates. For this first edition, the cello chosen is Matteo Goffriller, Venice, circa 1710, E.966.6.1.

Applications are open in two categories:

• Today's Talents category – Instrument markers must prove their status as a professional luthier (string instrument markers) through ad hoc documents, in accordance with the administrative provisions of the country where they practice their activity. Access the application form here.
• Tomorrow's Talents category – Instrument markers must be registered in any public or private body justifying a training course in the art of instrumental making and delivering a diploma or a certificate attesting to the training of their students. Access the application form here.

The application deadline is 29 November at 5 am CAT.

The competition targets:

• Cello makers with proof of professional activity may present a cello of the model of their choice, less than two years old at the date of the competition and produced in accordance with the rules of the art.
• Schools offering training in violin making leading to a diploma can compete and have their students compete, individually or collectively.

Prizes

• Six prizes will be awarded to professional luthiers. 
• Three instruments of school students will be awarded and one of them will join the collection of facsimiles of the Music Museum. 

Note: The finals and semi-finals will be conceived as real meetings with the public of the 10th String Quartet Biennial.

Registration fees are set at €150 (about $180) for an instrument and at €50 per additional instrument, up to the number of instruments admitted per category.