Concours Tibor Varga | Draw
22.08.25 > 16:00

The Tibor Varga International Violin Competition, founded in 1967 in Sion by the renowned Hungarian violinist Tibor Varga, has established itself as one of the most prestigious violin competitions in the world. Organized by the Sion Violin Music Foundation, it aims to discover and support young international talents, enrich their musical experience and practice, and provide a springboard for the winners’ future careers. Open to violinists aged 17 to 30, the competition stands out for the quality of its international jury and its commitment to showcasing each candidate’s musical excellence. The competition unfolds over several stages, all broadcast live, and offers prizes worth over CHF 40,000. The jury is chaired by Pavel Vernikov and includes eight other specialists, such as pianist Adrian Oetiker and cellist Thomas Grossenbacher for the final, along with musician Shin Kim, laureate of the Geneva Competition and composer of the specially commissioned piece for the event.

The official start of the Tibor Varga Competition is marked by the draw ceremony, held on August 22 at 4 p.m. at the Sion Music Center. This solemn moment brings together all selected candidates and the international jury. The draw determines the performance order of the 28 violinists for all rounds, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the process. This stage holds particular importance, as it puts all participants on an equal footing from the outset while fostering a spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect. The candidates, coming from all over the world, get to meet the jury chaired by Pavel Vernikov and discover the detailed rules of the competition. It is also an opportunity for the Sion Violin Music Foundation, the event’s organizer, to reaffirm the competition’s core values: excellence, openness, and support for young artists. The draw ceremony, broadcast live, symbolizes the opening of an intense week where each talent will have the opportunity to shine before an international audience and an exceptional jury.