EMCY

Polstjärnepriset

All competitions
01/01/2025 - 06/01/2025
Vänersborg, Sweden
Brass instruments | Piano | Strings | Woodwind Instruments

Polstjärnepriset was established in 2007 by the municipality of Vänersborg as an annual competition for Sweden’s best young classical musicians. Over the years, Polstjärnepriset has evolved into more than a competition – the purpose of Polstjärnepriset is to recognise young talents who play classical music and help them in their continued musical development. The competition element is complemented by teaching and seminars as well as orchestral and ensemble playing where all participants also get the chance to play and perform together.

Since 2023, the competition alternates between a Nordic Edition, where young musicians from all
Nordic countries can participate, and a Swedish Edition. Polstjärnepriset 2025 will be a Nordic
Edition.

Information

Organiser

Nationellt centrum för musiktalanger (based in Vänersborg, Sweden)

Structure

The participants should be aged from 14 to 18 years old.
The competition has three rounds (the final round with the accompaniment of Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra).
Polstjärnepriset consists of both a competition and a course.

Cycle

Every year

31/10/2024 – 03/11/2024 – part 1
01/01/2025 – 06/01/2025 – part 2

Deadline

15 June every year.

Application

The following information is required to complete the application form:

  • Standard personal information
  • Short personal presentation (ca 300 words)
  • Two recordings
  • The repertoire for the first round, semifinal and final

Eligible for the competition are musicians born 2006-2010, playing one of the standard classical orchestral instruments including piano. Organ, guitar, accordion, and percussion are excluded from the competition.

Rules

Polstjärnepriset is divided into two periods: part 1, 31 October-3 November 2024 and part 2, 1-6 January 2025. The semi-final takes place on 3 January in Vänersborg. The final will be held on 5 January at Gothenburg Concert Hall (Göteborgs Konserthus).

During Polstjärnepriset part 1, in November, the competition focuses on development, inspiration and preparation. The participants will receive individual lessons and have the chance to play together with the other musicians, both from the course and the competition. Most participants also perform during concerts in Vänersborg.

During the first week of January, competitors play their first round for the Polstjärnepriset jury.
From the first round, eight participants will be chosen for the semi-finals, which are held as a public concert in Vänersborg. All participants who do not progress to the semi-finals receive
feedback and classes from the jury. They also continue to play in ensembles and orchestras, participating in the Polstjärnepriset concerts in Vänersborg, Gothenburg and Stockholm.

At the semi-final, the jury selects four finalists who will play their final round at the Gothenburg Concert Hall together with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. At the final, the jury chooses the winner and announces the other prize-winners.

On 6 January, a concert will be held in Stockholm, presenting the winner of Polstjärnepriset 2025 and the Polstjärnepriset Symphony Orchestra.

Jury

Anna-Karin Larsson
Head of the jury

Camilla Lundberg
Assistant head of the jury

Randi Krogvold Lundqvist
Woodwinds

Lisa Ford
Brass

Judith Ingolfsson
Strings

Marko Ylönen
Strings

Katrine Gislinge
Piano

More jury members of Polstjärnepriset 2025 will be announced soon!

Prizes

First Prize50 000 SEK

Second Prize – 10 000 SEK

Third Prize – 5 000 SEK

Fourth Prize – 5 000 SEK

All taxes are paid by the prize-winners.

The winner of the competition is also offered:

  • a performance as soloist with a short piece with one of the major Swedish symphony orchestras during the next season
  •  to perform a complete concert programme together with friends in Vänersborg in November 2025

Contact

Visit original competition page www.yomacenter/polstjarnepriset

Prize winners

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