Windsor is at the centre of the international classical music world this week as twelve young musicians arrive for the live semi-finals of the 2026 Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC).

The semi-finals take place on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 September 2026, forming a major part of the competition’s 10th anniversary edition. According to the Windsor Festival, the twelve performers were selected after a three-round preliminary adjudication from applications representing 35 countries. Windsor Festival – 2026 Competition.

“WFISC seeks out exceptional young string soloists” and aims to encourage, nurture and support exceptional talent.

Twelve musicians, three instruments and one Windsor opportunity

The 2026 semi-finalists represent a genuinely international field. They include performers from the United States, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Sweden/Austria, Austria, South Korea, Canada, Japan and Australia/United Kingdom.

• Roric Cunningham – Cello, 26, American
• Sofia Demetriades – Violin, 18, British
• Rokas Diržys – Violin, 18, Lithuanian
• Lorenz Karls – Violin, 25, Swedish/Austrian
• Eva Lucia – Violin, 26, Austrian
• Mabelle Young-Eun Park – Violin, 26, South Korean
• Michael Song – Cello, 25, Canadian
• Coco Tomita – Violin, 24, Japanese
• Edward Walton – Violin, 20, Australian/British
• Sophia Werner – Violin, 23, American
• Yebin Yoo – Violin, 26, South Korean
• Emad Zolfaghari – Viola, 21, Canadian

The official competition information says each semi-final programme is built around a recital of up to 45 minutes, including two contrasting movements from a Bach solo work, at least one movement from a major sonata or concerto with piano accompaniment, and a work written in or after 1975.

Why this year’s competition is special

The 2026 edition marks the 10th anniversary of the Windsor Festival International String Competition and introduces a new concerto grand finale. Three musicians will progress from the semi-finals to the final on 2 October 2026, where they will perform concertos with orchestra at Eton College’s School Hall.

The final offers a choice of major works for violin, viola or cello, including concertos by Mozart, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Stamitz, Hoffmeister, Walton, Haydn, Schumann and Elgar.

A future performance inside Windsor Castle

For Windsor, perhaps the most exciting part of the competition comes after the 2026 final. The first-prize winner is due to return to Windsor in September 2027 to perform a concerto with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra during Windsor Festival, in the State Apartments of Windsor Castle, by permission of His Majesty The King.

That gives this week’s competition a direct connection with Windsor Castle’s continuing role as a venue for major cultural and royal occasions.

The competition’s prize package also includes a solo recording opportunity with Champs Hill Records, further concerto performances with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, a concerto commission from composer Sally Beamish and further recital opportunities.

From international stages to Windsor

Competitions such as WFISC give young musicians an opportunity to perform before an international jury while building professional connections. The 2026 jury includes violinist Joji Hattori, violist Hsin-Yun Huang, cellist Raphael Wallfish, composer Sally Beamish, Windsor Festival director Martin Denny, Champs Hill Records executive producer Alexander Van Ingen and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra programming director Tom Philpott.

Two official competition pianists, Simon Lane and Nigel Hutchison, are also supporting the semi-finalists throughout the competition.

What happens next?

The finalists will be announced at 22:00 GMT on Wednesday 30 September. The grand final follows on Friday 2 October at 7:30pm at Eton College’s School Hall.

For Windsor residents and visitors, the competition is another reminder that the town’s cultural calendar extends well beyond the castle itself. Music, heritage, education and international performance all meet here during the autumn festival season.

Image credits: Classical string performance – Larisa Birta / Unsplash. Windsor Castle – E Mens / Unsplash. Images used as representative editorial illustrations; they are not photographs of the 2026 competitors.

Sources: Windsor Festival International String Competition official 2026 competition information; Windsor Festival ticketing information; Visit Windsor.