Music Conservatory of Westchester
The Ani Kavafian
String Competition
The Ani Kavafian Competition
for Young String Players
Studying in Westchester!
The Music Conservatory of Westchester is thrilled to announce the Ani Kavafian String Competition, open to talented violin, viola, cello, and double bass students ages 8-17 who study at a music school or teacher’s studio located in Westchester County.
Ms. Kavafian, a longstanding member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Professor of Violin at Yale University, has had a long connection to the Music Conservatory of Westchester, from the years when her son was a Conservatory student. Read more about Ani here!
“This Competition will inspire talented young string players in Westchester County to strive for excellence and advance their careers. I can’t wait to hear them!”
-Ani Kavafian
CASH AWARDS FOR WINNERS!
Competition Details:
Eligibility
The Ani Kavafian String Competition is open to violin, viola, cello, and double bass students ages 8 to 17 who study at a school or teacher’s studio located in Westchester County.
- Junior Division: ages 8 to 12
- Senior Division: ages 13 to 17
Students who have turned 18 and are high school seniors are eligible. High school graduates are not eligible. Students who study outside of Westchester County are not eligible.
Video Audition Requirements
Qualifying students must submit an audition video for the initial
competition round.
- Two pieces in contrasting styles and periods.
- For violin, viola and cello students, one piece must be a concerto movement. For example, a Mozart or Vivaldi concerto movement and a recital piece from the romantic period.
- A concerto movement is not required for double bass students.
- Performances must be accompanied (use of pre-recorded accompaniment is permitted).
Video Submission Format:
- Video submission is required. Audio-only submissions will
not be accepted. - Videos must be unedited “single take” recordings. Multiple takes may not be spliced together.
- Videos must be submitted by dragging and dropping the video file into the space provided on the application form.
- Videos may also be submitted on a thumb drive and dropped off to the attention of Douglas Bish, Dean of Students & Faculty, at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Ave., White Plains.
- Submissions must be received by Midnight EST on March 15. 2025.
Finalist Auditions
Finalists will be notified by April 1, 2025
Finalists will perform a live audition on Saturday May 3, 2025 at the Music Conservatory of Westchester, 216 Central Ave., White Plains.
Judges:
- Ani Kavafian, violin
- Steven Tenenbom, viola
- Michael Katz, cello
Prizes (to be used toward continued instrumental study):
First and second prizes will be awarded in each division. Two runners up will also be selected.
- First Prize – Senior Division: $2,000
- Second Prize – Senior Division: $1000
- First Prize – Junior Division: $1000
- Second Prize – Junior Division: $500
VIP Winners Concert
Prize winners and runners-up will be invited to perform in a VIP Concert on Friday, May 9th in the Conservatory’s Recital Hall. Ani Kavafian will be in attendance along with the competition sponsor. The concert will be professionally recorded from the Conservatory’s Recording Studio. A reception will follow the performance.
Questions:
Application Form
Interested in how MCW can bring music into your life?
The Music Conservatory of Westchester does not discriminate in its employment, enrollment, programs and/or activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, disability (subject to reasonable accommodation), age, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. Our mission is to provide the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community.
The Music Conservatory of Westchester does not discriminate in its employment, enrollment, programs and/or activities on the basis of race, ethnicity, disability (subject to reasonable accommodation), age, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. Our mission is to provide the extraordinary benefits of music to all in our community.
