CONTENT COURTESY MELBOURNE CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC
In February, 2022 the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music is hosting the Dorcas McClean Travelling Scholarship for Violinists and the Australian National Violin Conference.
The ‘Dorcas’ is Australia’s top bursary prize for young violinists, supporting the education and training of outstanding musicians through the provision of travelling scholarships. The competition will award a first prize of $40,000 to the winner enabling the recipient to pursue further overseas studies at leading conservatories worldwide. Second and third place receive $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
Seven semi-finalists have been selected for participation by an international audition panel. They will be adjudicated by a competition jury of esteemed local and international violinists including Cho-Liang “Jimmy” Lin, previous Dorcas winner Adele Anthony, Robert Davidovici and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Head of Strings Curt Thompson.
Over the four-day event, two semi-final concert rounds will be held from 10-13 February. Three finalists will be selected to present concerti by W. A. Mozart on 13 February accompanied by the Conservatorium’s Camerata Orchestra and conductor Richard Davis. A special Guest Artist recital will be presented on 10-13 February (details coming soon). All events will take place in Hanson Dyer Hall at The Ian Potter Southbank Centre in Melbourne.
Performances will be presented live, if Covid-19 restrictions allow, and audience members ages eight and older are welcome to attend. Concerts will also be streamed online by our partners 5Stream and Melbourne Digital Concert Hall. Guests can purchase tickets to attend both in person and online.
Alongside the competition, the Conservatorium will present the inaugural Australian National Violin Conference. The ANVC will present performances, master classes, lectures and interviews exploring the rich heritage of Australian violin playing and teaching, its roots and traditions, and leading exponents of violinists through the generations.
Please join us for the Dorcas McClean competition and the ANVC. Together, these incredible events offer a unique opportunity for lovers of music and musicians of all ages to explore the rich, living history of the violin in Australia!
