Michael Hill International Violin Competition


The Michael Hill International Violin Competition is a :wikt:biennial|biennial music competition for violinists aged between 18 and 28. It was founded by Michael Hill in 2001 as the Michael Hill World Violin Competition. Hill remains a major sponsor, claiming that "It is my dream that New Zealand will one day become a much more balanced society with not just wonderful sport - but also wonderful classical music." In 2004, the event became a member of the World Federation of International Music Competitions.
The event is held in New Zealand, with the first two semi-final rounds of competition conducted in Queenstown and the third and final rounds held in Auckland. There is a total prize pool of NZ$100,000, with the winner receiving $40,000. In 2009, the events gained about $500,000 worth of sponsorship.
Special guests at the competition have included Prime Minister of New Zealand Helen Clark, and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson.

Laureates