2019 Michael Hill International Violin Competition

Deadline: 15/10/2018
Location: Queenstown & Oakland, New Zealand
Disciplines: Violin
From: 31/05/2019 To: 08/06/2019
Age limit: 18-28
14/08/2018

Over eight days, a feast of spellbinding acts of virtuosity, heartstring-tugging treasures and heroic masterpieces are performed by 16 of the world’s finest young violinists.

The “Michael Hill” is recognised as one of the most sought-after international violin prizes and the careers of future musical legends are launched here in New Zealand where they go head to head for a prize package valued at over $100,000.

Flexible attendance options cater to the enthusiasts as well as those who want to see what the buzz is about. You’ll find you get hooked.

Online application 

More information

Rules & Regulations

Application

1. Michael Hill International Violin Competition Charitable Trust (‘MHIVC’) is the organiser of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2019  (‘Competition’). Each Competition applicant must agree to these Rules and Regulations as a condition of entering the Competition. By entering the Competition each applicant agrees that they have read, and understood, and agreed to be bound by all of these Rules and Regulations.

2. The Competition opens on 15 August. All applications must be received by MHIVC by 5pm NZST on 15 November (‘Closing Date’).

3. A person is eligible to enter the Competition, and may enter the Competition, only if that person:

  • – is born after 5 June 1991 and before 5 June 2001; and
  • – is not a previous 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize winner of any previous Michael Hill International Violin Competition; and
  • – has not been a quarter-finalist in the Michael Hill International Violin Competition more than once.

4. To enter the Competition each applicant must, before 5pm NZST on the Closing Date:

  • – complete the Competition Application >>
  • – provide all information requested in the Competition Application Form;
    – submit an online audition that:

    • a. complies with all instructions set out on the Competition Application;
    • b. is recorded live;
    • c. is unedited, except that the audition may be recorded over different recording sessions if the applicant wishes;
    • d.  is performed within six months prior to the Closing Date (and the date of such performance must be verified upon MHIVC’s request), unless the applicant has obtained prior written approval from MHIVC to submit a recording of an earlier performance;
  • – pay the application fee as set out on the Competition Application Form;
  • – submit the Competition Application, all requested information and online audition or in accordance with an alternative method prescribed on the Competition Application Form.

5. No person may submit more than one entry into the Competition.

6. The Competition is held in five stages, as detailed below (or as otherwise prescribed by MHIVC):

  • – Selection: Applications due before the Closing Date
  • – Round I: 16 quarter-finalists compete in Queenstown New Zealand on 31 May and 1 June 2019
  • – Round II: 16 quarter-finalists compete in Queenstown New Zealand on 2 and 3 June 2019
  • – Round III: six semi-finalists compete in Auckland New Zealand on 5 and 6 June 2019
  • – Finals: three finalists compete in Auckland New Zealand on 8 June 2019

7. If MHIVC considers that an applicant has knowingly provided any inaccurate or misleading information to MHIVC, MHIVC may report the same to the World Federation of International Music Competitions.

8. MHIVC assumes no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, failure, malfunction, alteration, delay in delivery, operation or transmission, theft, or other circumstances of any kind, which may affect an entry or an applicant’s participation in the Competition. MHIVC, in its sole discretion, may disqualify any applicant whose entry does not comply with these Rules and Regulations or that MHIVC considers to be incomplete, illegible, forged, inaccurate, misleading or otherwise tampered with in any way, or made by automating or manipulating the entry process or in any other way that MHIVC considers to be inappropriate. MHIVC reserves the right to request additional information from applicants and/or to verify the validity of entries by making such enquiries as MHIVC considers appropriate.

Prizes

9. There are three types of prizes (each a ‘Prize’), namely Quarter-finalist Prizes, Award Prizes, and a New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize. No Prize may be transferred, exchanged, or redeemed for cash, credit, or otherwise. The Prizes consist solely of the items identified in these Rules and Regulations. Any expenses and taxes related to the Prizes are the sole responsibility of those awarded such Prize, and such persons should seek independent tax advice prior to claiming a Prize.

10. Each eligible entry for the Competition will be reviewed and judged by a panel of selection judges appointed by MHIVC. For a period of up to 30 days after the Closing Date (‘Judging Period’), the selection judges will review the eligible entries and select 16 quarter-finalists (each a ‘Quarter-finalist’ and together the ‘Quarter-finalists’).

11 Each ‘Quarter-finalist Prize’ consists of a trip to New Zealand to compete in the Competition, as further outlined below:

  • – return economy airfares to the Competition location for the Quarter-finalist to compete in the Competition (including domestic airfares to New Zealand Competition locations, if applicable) with the flight details (including place of departure) to be determined by MHIVC;
  • – accommodation (in private homes, with private rehearsal facilities during the live rounds of the Competition) for the Quarter-finalist only from 27 May 2019 until 9 June 2019 inclusive, or from such alternative period determined by MHIVC to align with the timeframes during which the Quarter-finalist competes in the Competition. Quarter-finalists must arrange, at their own cost, alternative accommodation for any family member or companion accompanying them as Competition private accommodation does not extend beyond the Quarter-finalist; and
  • – the provision of accompanists and collaborating artists (as selected by MHIVC) to assist the Quarter-finalist’s performance in all live rounds of the Competition.

12. Each Quarter-finalist’s performances in the Competition will be reviewed and judged by an international panel of judges appointed by MHIVC. The international judges will review the Quarter-finalists and select the winners of the Award Prizes (described below).

13. The ‘Award Prizes’ consist of:

First Prize’:
NZD$40,000.00;

Recording on the Atoll Label, with the details to be determined by Atoll Limited in consultation with the First Prize winner;

Performing in the ‘Winner’s Tour 2020’ (including a performance with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra) presented in association with Chamber Music New Zealand, with the details to be determined by MHIVC in consultation with the First Prize Winner; and

Personalised Professional Development Programme, with the details to be determined by MHIVC in consultation with the First Prize winner.

Second Prize:
NZD$10,000.00

Third Prize:
NZD$5,000.00

Fourth Prize:
NZD$3,000.00

Fifth Prize:
NZD$2,000.00

Sixth Prize:
NZD$1,000.00

Best Performance of New Zealand Commissioned Work:
NZD$2,000.00

Chamber Music Prize:
NZD$2,000.00

Michael Hill Audience Prize

14. MHIVC will conduct an application process for the one New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winner (‘Emerging Artist Prize Winner’). Only New Zealand-based citizens and residents are eligible. A person is ineligible to receive the Emerging Artist Prize if that person is a previous Emerging Artist Prize Winner of any previous Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

15. The ‘New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize’ consists of a domestic trip to Queenstown and Auckland to watch the Competition, as further outlined below:

  • – return economy airfares to New Zealand Competition locations, with the flight details (including place of departure) to be determined by MHIVC;
  • – accommodation (in private homes, with private rehearsal facilities during the live rounds of the Competition) for the Emerging Artist Prize winner from 28 May 2019 until 9 June 2019 inclusive, or from such alternative period determined by MHIVC to align with the timeframes during the Competition; and
  • – one complimentary ticket to each round of the Competition; and
  • – participation in professional development opportunities during the Competition, as offered by MHIVC (or its representatives).

16. MHIVC will attempt to contact each Quarter-finalist and New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winner following the Selection Judging Period using the details provided through the Competition Application Form and may require the Quarter-finalist and Emerging Artist Prize Winner to follow further instructions in order to claim the Prize.

17. To claim the Quarter-finalist Prize or Development Prize, the Quarter-finalist and New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winner must, within 72 hours of MHIVC’s first attempted communication with the Quarter-finalist and New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winner under clause 16, respond to MHIVC as instructed by MHIVC and provide upon request:

  • – proof of the applicant’s identity and age;
  • – valid residential address details for the applicant;
  • – the applicant’s passport details; and
  • – any additional details or information requested by MHIVC.

In the event that the applicant does not provide any such information, MHIVC may determine that his or her entry to the Competition is invalid and that he or she will forfeit the Prize.

18. If the Quarter-finalist or New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winner does not claim the Prize and provide all necessary documentation or information upon request in accordance with clause 16 or 17 (as the case may be), then MHIVC may, at its option, select another Quarter-finalist or Emerging Artist Prize Winner, but has no obligation to do so.

19. Each Quarter-finalist and New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winner is responsible for all expenses associated with their Prize including spending money, transport (excluding transport provided by MHIVC in accordance with these Rules and Regulations), meals, drinks, laundry charges, incidentals, taxes (excluding airline and airport taxes), passports, visas, vaccinations, gratuities, services charges, insurance and all other ancillary costs. Appropriate insurance is highly recommended to protect against the additional costs incurred in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

20. Quarter-finalists and New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winners must obtain all necessary travel documentation including visas and a valid passport with an expiry date sufficiently far into the future to allow the Quarter-finalist and Emerging Artist Prize Winner to visit New Zealand for the Competition, and is responsible for all costs incurred in obtaining such documentation.

21. Entering and participating in the Competition (including claiming, and use of, the Prize) is at each applicant’s own risk and is solely his or her responsibility. To the maximum extent permitted by law, neither MHIVC nor any of its subsidiaries, related companies, associated entities, employees, contractors, and agents shall be liable for any personal injury, or any indirect, consequential, or special loss, damage, cost, or expense howsoever caused to any person (including through negligence or breach of statutory duty) arising out of or in connection with:

  • – this Competition;
  • – any acts or omissions of MHIVC; or
  • – any Force Majeure Event (as defined in clause 46).

22. Selected Quarter-finalists must attend and compete in the Competition in accordance with these Rules and Regulations and must follow all reasonable instructions given by MHIVC (or its representatives).

23. Quarter-finalists may, in consultation with MHIVC, choose to arrive in New Zealand prior to the Competition or to remain in New Zealand after the Competition. Quarter-finalists and New Zealand Emerging Artist Prize Winners that choose to do so are responsible for any and all additional expenses incurred in doing so.

24. All Quarter-finalists must attend the Competition welcome activities, official draw, rounds and final (including those in which the Quarter-finalist is not selected to compete) and prize-giving ceremony, and are not permitted to change their travel plans unless they have obtained prior written permission from MHIVC.