THIS STORY TO BE UPDATED FOR MAIN PAPER

THE world-renowned Windsor Festival International String Competition (WFISC) is underway with a prize-fund of over £20,000.

This is the seventh of the annual competitions designed to launch the international career of one successful violinist, violist or cellist.

Drawing together nations from across the globe this year's semi-finalists were selected from 192 applicants from 45 countries worldwide, in a meeting of extraordinary talent.

Semi-finals are taking place tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday at the Old Court Arts Centre in Windsor. They are open to the public but will also be live-streamed via www.windsorfestival.com

The semi-finalists come from Turkey, America, Switzerland, Holland, South Korea, and Britain.

This year’s international jury includes several distinguished musicians: violinist Pierre Amoyal, violist and conductor Wolfram Christ and cellist David Strange. They will be joined by Helen Sprott, managing director of the Philharmonia; Alexander Van Ingen executive producer of Champs Hill Records, the festival's recording partner and Martin Denny, festival director for the final.

During the week the WFISC Semi-finalists will also each go into a local school accompanied by a member of the WFISC team to give performances for the students and to talk with them.

The final will take place on Friday, March 29 in the Waterloo Chamber, Windsor Castle.

His Royal Highness, The Earl of Wessex KG, GCVO, Patron of Windsor Festival, will present the prizes. The winner will receive prizes to the value of £20,000. These include a minimum of one concerto performance with Associate Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra in the Waterloo Chamber during Windsor Festival 2019; a fine contemporary bow to the value of £5,000 from Bishop Instruments and Bows; a solo recording opportunity with Recording Partner, the Royal Philharmonic Society award winning independent recording label, Champs Hill Records; recitals; and a

cash prize of £5,000. There is also an audience prize, and further cash prizes for second and third place.

Tickets for the final are now on sale: www.windsorfestival.com 01753 743585, and at Royal Windsor Information Centre.