The UCT Strings Competition aims to provide a nurturing environment for young musicians while striving to be recognised as a platform that promotes excellence in string performance.
The first competition was held in 2022 and was initiated by UCT Head of Strings, Associate Professor Farida Bacharova, together with UCT cello lecturer Graham du Plessis. Feedback from the inaugural competition was overwhelmingly positive, leading to the decision to establish it as a regular event.
In 2024, the competition expanded to include a high school category. In 2026, the South African College of Music at the University of Cape Town, with funding from the Rupert Music Foundation, is able to present both junior and senior categories and extend the competition beyond Cape Town to a national platform, reaching school and university musicians from across South Africa.
To support this broader reach, the competition will be hosted biennially, alternating with the Cape Town Woodwind Competition.
The UCT Strings Competition aims to bring together audiences and communities to experience inspiring performances by gifted young artists at the beginning of their professional journeys. Finalists will present a short recital programme of approximately 30 minutes at the Baxter Concert Hall.
CLOSING DATE: Please complete the online entry form, pay the entry fee and submit a link to your prelim round recording before Monday 15 June 2026.
(You will be informed by 30 June if you are selected to take part in the 2026 Competition.)
SEMI-FINAL ROUND: Monday 7 September 2026, Baxter Concert Hall, from 10am onwards (Senior Category - aged 28 and under)
Wednesday 9 September 2026, Baxter Concert Hall, from 10am onwards (Junior Category)
FINAL ROUND: Friday 11 September 2026, Baxter Concert Hall, 6pm (Both Categories)
The competition is adjudicated by a panel of widely recognised and experienced professional musicians.
The South African College of Music hereby invites applications for the 4th UCT National Strings Competition.
Students must be below the age of 28 on the date of the competition.
HOW TO ENTER:
Step 1 - complete the online entry form (below)
Step 2 - pay the R100 entry fee (details below)
Step 3 - email the link of your video recording to concerts@uct.ac.za before Monday 15 June.
ENTRY FEE:
R100 is payable in cash or via EFT to Fiona Grayer before Monday 15 June 2026.
Banking details:
Cape Chamber Music Collective
Nedbank current account
Account number: 1220795836
Reference: Your initials and surname
GENERAL
To be eligible for the Senior Category of the UCT Strings Competition, candidates must be 28 years of age or younger on the date of the Competition Finals.
Accompanists: Competitors are kindly asked to provide their own accompanist. If you do not have an accompanist in Cape Town, the competition organisers will be happy to recommend two pianists from whom you may choose. Please note that any accompanist fees are the responsibility of the competitor.
The jury’s decision is final.
By entering, competitors agree that their performances may be recorded and that their images, names, and recordings may be used for promotional purposes.
The overall winner from the previous year’s competition may not enter in the following year.
Accommodation and travel at the expense of the competitor.
PRE-SCREENING / VIDEO ROUND
Each competitor is to record two contrasting movements / pieces.
Works may be recorded with or without piano accompaniment.
Each video recording must be made from start to finish without cuts or edits.
Recordings can be submitted by 15 June in the form of an unlisted YouTube link.
Duration of pre-screening round music: Minimum length of performance 8 minutes; maximum length of performance 12 minutes.
SEMI-FINAL ROUND
Minimum of one UNACCOMPANIED piece.
Minimum of one ACCOMPANIED piece.
Maximum of four pieces / movements in total.
One Baroque/Classical piece or movement(s) of a pieces.
One, two, or three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one of which may be a movement from a concerto.
Please note that a prize will be awarded for the best performance of a work by a South African composer.
Duration of semi-final round music: Minimum length of performance 20 minutes; maximum length of performance 25 minutes.
FINAL ROUND
A recital programme: Minimum length of performance 25 minutes; maximum length of performance 30 minutes.
The programme can involve unaccompanied and accompanied pieces.
The final round takes the form of a public concert at the Baxter Concert Hall.
Please note that time in the Baxter Concert Hall may be booked for a final run-through for all finalists by contacting Fiona Grayer. Time slots will be allocated fairly on Tuesday, 8 September (Senior category only), and Thursday, 10 September (Both categories).
REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Repeats are permitted but not mandatory.
Competitors may play with or without music, regardless of the repertoire.
In the semi-final round, orchestral tuttis may be cut.
Competitors are free to decide their performance order for each round, but those who do not abide by the time limits may be stopped by the jury.
Copies of sheet music (electronic pdfs) must be provided for the panel and should be emailed to the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer on concerts@uct.ac.za before 17 August.
For further enquiries, please contact the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer, on concerts@uct.ac.za
The winner will be offered a performance opportunity with the UCT Symphony Orchestra, a cash prize, and will be considered for a bursary to study at the South African College of Music.
GENERAL
Applicants for the Junior Category must have attained a minimum performance standard equivalent to Grade 7 or higher.
Accompanists: Competitors are kindly asked to provide their own accompanist. If you do not have an accompanist in Cape Town, the competition organisers will be happy to recommend two pianists from whom you may choose. Please note that any accompanist fees are the responsibility of the competitor.
The jury’s decision is final.
By entering, competitors agree that their performances may be recorded and that their images, names, and recordings may be used for promotional purposes.
Accommodation and travel at the expense of the competitor.
Under 18s are to be accompanied by a parent / guardian.
PRE-SCREENING / VIDEO ROUND
Each competitor is to record two contrasting movements / pieces.
Works may be recorded with or without piano accompaniment.
Each video recording must be made from start to finish without cuts or edits.
Recordings can be submitted by 15 June in the form of an unlisted YouTube link.
Duration of pre-screening round music: Minimum length of performance 8 minutes; maximum length of performance 12 minutes.
SEMI-FINAL ROUND
Maximum of four pieces / movements in total.
One Baroque/Classical piece or movement(s) of a pieces.
One, two, or three contrasting pieces or movements of pieces, one of which may be a movement from a concerto.
Please note that a prize will be awarded for the best performance of a work by a South African composer.
Duration of semi-final round music: Minimum length of performance 8 minutes; maximum length of performance 12 minutes.
FINAL ROUND
A movement of a concerto or concert piece written originally with orchestral accompaniment (the score needs to be readily accessible in South Africa).
A short contrasting accompanied or unaccompanied piece.
Duration of final round music: Minimum length of performance 15 minutes; maximum length of performance 20 minutes.
The final round takes the form of a public concert at the Baxter Concert Hall.
Please note that time in the Baxter Concert Hall may be booked for a final run-through for all finalists by contacting Fiona Grayer. Time slots will be allocated fairly on Thursday, 10 September (Both categories).
REPERTOIRE GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES
Repeats are permitted but not mandatory.
Competitors may play with or without music, regardless of the repertoire.
In the semi-final round, orchestral tuttis may be cut.
Competitors are free to decide their performance order for each round, but those who do not abide by the time limits may be stopped by the jury.
Copies of sheet music must be provided for the panel and should be given to or emailed to the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer on concerts@uct.ac.za before 17 August.
For further enquiries, please contact the Competition Organiser, Fiona Grayer, on concerts@uct.ac.za
2024
Senior Category
1st prize: Pieter Joubert, violin
Runners up: Ashlin Grobbelaar, cello; Micalea Arries, viola
Junior Category
1st prize: Emma Steenkamp, violin
Runners up: Luke Stamer, cello; Bianke van Staden, violin
2023
1st prize: Nicholas Bruiners, violin
Runners up: Rebekah Beelders, violin; S’celo Chris Njapha, cello
2022
1st prize: Pieter Joubert, violin
Runners up: Ashlin Grobbelaar, cello; Nicola McLachlan, cello
Prizes totalling R135 000 include:
SENIOR CATEGORY PRIZES
R40 000 Overall Winner
R20 000 Runners Up
R10 000 Best semifinalist not in the finals
R 5 000 Best Performance of a South African Work
JUNIOR CATEGORY PRIZES
R15 000 Overall Winner
R10 000 Runners Up
R 5 000 Best Performance of a South African Work
The competition is adjudicated by a panel of widely recognised and experienced professional musicians. Previous adjudicators have included: Bernhard Gueller, Francois du Toit, Petrus Coetzee, Johanna Roos.
