The Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition has announced that the second iteration will take place at the Birmingham Conservatoire from November 18–24, 2017.

The competition, named after famed South African violist Cecil Aronowitz, is held in conjunction with the British Viola Society and Birmingham Music Service, and will be the first to take place at the conservatory’s new £57-million location in the Eastern region of the city.

“We as a family were thrilled at the success of the first Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competition and are delighted that the second one will be happening in 2017,” Nicola Aronowitz, Cecil’s wife, who will be a member of the jury for next year’s competition, said in a statement. “Cecil—a supremely modest man—would have been truly honored that a competition should be named after him. And yet if he thought about it, he would realize how fitting it is.


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“He was one of the foremost viola players of this time but perhaps above all he was a source of inspiration to all those around him, whether players or pupils, amateurs or professionals, colleagues or audiences.”

Next year’s top prize includes £5,000, a recording contract with Champs Hill Records, and several recitals as part of Birmingham Conservatoire’s Concert Series.

The competition is now accepting applications, for more information, click here.