National violin competition: Crickboom - A competition like no other

Created and designed for young violinists enrolled in music academies, the second edition of the "Crickboom" Competition will welcome candidates from all over Belgium at the Verviers Conservatory on October 5th and 6th, 2024.

The "Crickboom" Competition is reserved for young violinists enrolled in the music academies of the three communities of the country. All student profiles are welcome to participate in two categories: Category A (up to 13 years old) and Category B (up to 18 years old).

The "Crickboom" Competition aims to offer a different perspective on the event. Friendliness will be at the heart of our concerns on October 5th and 6th. Our goal is to reward each candidate for the meticulous preparation work they will have done to present themselves at the competition. The jury selected for the occasion will pay particular attention to considering each performance as a step in an artistic journey, rather than as a final goal.

For this second edition, the jury members will be:

• Philippe Koch (Luxembourg) – Concertmaster of the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Liège
• Shirley Laub (Brussels), professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music of Brussels
• Kati Sebestyén (Hungary), honorary professor at the “Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel,” and extraordinary professor at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel
• Olivier Giot (Liège), soloist at the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liège
• Anne-Sylvie Primo (Verviers), president of the Asbl Prix Artistiques of the city of Verviers and Director of the Academy of Fine Arts of Verviers

The public performances will be approached and commented on constructively. Each candidate will receive a diploma, supplemented by written feedback that will help them positively envision the continuation of their journey. A first prize, a second prize, and a public prize will be awarded in both categories. The artistic personality of each candidate will capture the jury's attention far beyond mere performance or technical challenge.