Johansen International Competition

The next JIC will take place March 17-20, 2025

The application deadline is December 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m., EST

To see audition requirements, please use the drop-down menus on this page under "Start an Application" to open the Guidelines tab. For "Program Group," select Johansen International Competition (it is the only choice). For "Program," select instrument. Note: guidelines are the same for all three instruments. 
2025 Johansen International Competition for Young String Players (Ages 13–17)

Sponsored by the Friday Morning Music Club Foundation, Inc.

Applications open March 1st, 2024

The Johansen International Competition (JIC) for Young String Players Ages 13–17 (violin, viola, and cello) takes place once every 3 years. The next competition will take place March 17–20, 2025 in Washington, DC.

The JIC, which was held for the first time in 1997, is made possible through the generosity of a Charitable Trust established by the late Anna Storch Johansen of Falls Church, Virginia. Mrs. Johansen was a violinist and a Life Member of the Friday Morning Music Club. She wanted to encourage young musicians with significant prize awards at a time when they need it most and when they must make decisions about whether to continue with their dedication to music.

In addition to the prizes and opportunities listed below, winners receive 5 years of complimentary student membership in the Friday Morning Music Club.

Prizes and Awards

Equal prizes for violin, viola, and cello: 
First prizes: $10,000 each
Second prizes: $7,000 each
Third prizes: $5,000 each

Prize for Best Performance of Commissioned Work: $1,000

Judges' Commendation Prizes: $500

Judges:  Rachel Barton Pine, Chauncey Patterson, Michael Mermagen

Official Pianists: Eri Kang, Akira Eguchi

Composer of Commissioned Work: Mark Simon

Performance opportunities may include:

• Winners’ Recital, Washington, DC
• Concerto performances with Apollo Orchestra, Washington, DC; Avanti Orchestra, Washington, DC; Capital City Symphony, Washington, DC; Prince George’s Philharmonic, MD; National Philharmonic at Strathmore Hall, Bethesda, MD
• Scholarship to Brevard Music Festival
• Scholarship to Morningside Music Bridge

Eligibility

• Eligible contestants are students of violin, viola, or cello who will be age 13 through 17 during the semifinal and final portions of the competition March 18, 2025 to March 20, 2025. That is, contestants must have birthdates from March 21, 2007 to March 18, 2012. A copy of the applicant’s birth certificate or passport is required as proof of age.
• Current students of the official judges are not eligible.
• Applicants must not be under professional management.
• Too old? You may be eligible to compete in the Washington International Competition for Strings (ages 18–28). Click here for details.

Deadline and Important Dates

• December 1, 2024: Deadline for completing online application. Completed application must include all required videos.
• January 2025: Preliminary video auditions held and selected semifinalists notified.
• 2025 Competition Dates: March 17–20

Additional Rules

1. FMMC Foundation, Inc., assumes no responsibility for actions of the applicants or escorts or injuries sustained by them during the course of the applicants’ stay in the Washington area, and assumes no responsibility in connection with the applicants’ participation in the Competition.
2. All eligibility requirements must be met for participation in the competition.
3. Decisions of the judges are final. Awards may be withheld at the discretion of the judges.
4. All semifinalists and finalists must perform with the competition’s official pianists. No other pianists are permitted.

Questions? Contact:

Harriet Kaplan, Administrative Director
johansencomp@fmmc.org

Michael Casassa, JIC Steering Committee Chair
mpcasassa@yahoo.com

To view repertoire requirements, please click on "Start an Application" and follow the prompts. Please visit our website here for more information about the history of the competition.

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NOTE: The application fee is $130 US. Payment can be made by credit card, gift credit card, or in some cases, electronic transfer.

At the live portion of the competition, all COVID-related requirements of the venue and the District of Columbia that are in effect at the time of the competition, such as proof of vaccination or negative COVID test as well as masking, will be observed.