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Tertis and Aronowitz International Viola Competitions

Activity: Participating in or organising an eventOrganising a conference, workshop, ...

Description

The Tertis and Aronowitz Viola Competitions (TAVC) are a charity dedicated to promoting, nurturing, and inspiring extraordinary viola talent worldwide. Held every three years at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead are the Lionel Tertis Competition, open to players up to 30 years old at the highest level of artistry; and the Cecil Aronowitz Competition, directed towards players aged 21 and under demonstrating exceptional talent and promise.

Alongside the triennial competitions, the TAVC Festival is a week-long celebration of the viola. The 2025 Festival drew in over 500 visitors, engaging with an extensive programme of concerts, masterclasses, and a luthier exhibition. Beyond the core market of violists (from both the UK and across the globe), the Festival brings outstanding musical performance to local audiences and concertgoers in the North East of England.

TAVC runs events and outreach initiatives throughout the year, such as Viola Days and Viola Courses, which offer a sustained curriculum of activity in-between the Competitions and Festival. These are hosted at varying locations across the country, extending TAVC’s reach beyond the triennial event in the NE of England.

The competitions are named after two legendary figures in the UK’s viola history: Lionel Tertis and Cecil Aronowitz. Through celebrating their legacy, the competitions are centred around idols towards which our next generation of violists aspire. As internationally-renowned figures, these invite the attention of violists worldwide, whilst simultaneously affirming the cultural capital of the UK in the global sphere of classical music.
Period1 Jan 202422 Jan 2028
Event typeOther
LocationGateshead, United KingdomShow on map
Degree of RecognitionInternational