Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists

The competitors are pre-selected by video recording and compete in three rounds during the actual competition. There is a required repertoire, which is chosen by the competition's organizers. However, the competitors also play a virtuoso violin work of their own choice as part of the semi-finals. In the first round, each competitor is also given a four to eight bar phrase on which to improvise for three minutes. In later years the required repertoire and the gala concerts have included new works especially commissioned for the competition or works closely associated with the host country.