The Menuhin Competition has announced its 2016 competitors

6 January 2016, 11:30

The world’s premier violin competition for young people has announced its list of finalists ahead of the event at London's South Bank Centre.

In the centenary year of violinist and pioneering teacher Yehudi Menuhin, the competition boasts an international line-up of finalists.

The competition is made up of two main categories with 22 finalists in each. In the junior category (under-16s) there are only 7 male competitors, while in the seniors (under-22s) there is just one.

Juror and previous winner Tasmin Little OBE commented on the makeup of the list: I celebrate the fact that gender is no longer an issue in the world of violinists.”

“I know my mentor Menuhin would also be delighted as, for him, the most important thing was always the music and the musician, and never their gender, colour, creed or nationality.”

The youngest competitor has already made a name for himself thanks to his previous performances. Samuel Tan, 10, from Singapore, has already won international competitions.

Three British finalists have been selected, Louisa Staples (15), Juliette Roos (20) and Mathilde Milwidsky (21).

The competition will run from April 7th - April 17th 2016. See the full list of competitors here.