NDP Speaks Menuhin, Do You?

Cue the virtual violins! The international Menuhin Competition showcases the world’s most talented young violinists, all under the age of 22. Held every two years in a different country, the Competition was scheduled to be in Richmond in 2020 but was postponed to 2021 due to the pandemic. Ongoing safety concerns led to the decision to hold the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021 in an all-virtual format for the first time in the Competition’s storied history.

NDP has played an instrumental role in several aspects of this prestigious Competition. We were proud to host the “big reveal” reception at our office in the Scott’s Addition Historic District when Richmond was officially selected as the host city at the conclusion of the 2018 event in Geneva, Switzerland. Our agency created and produced the video to generate worldwide excitemet about applying to be considered as a competitor. Also, we designed the logo for the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2020, along with the tweak to change the year from 2020 to 2021.

“A silver lining to the pandemic is that more people can now enjoy and appreciate the extraordinary talents of these young violinists by watching their virtual performances,” said Brent Morris, CEO of NDP. “Here at NDP, we’ll be speaking Menuhin from May 14-23, and we hope everyone will join us in a celebration of the language of music.”

About the Menuhin Competition

  • The Menuhin Competition is named for Yehudi Menuhin (1916-1999), who is widely considered one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century.
  • Menuhin is pronounced MEN-yoo-in.
  • Informally known as “The Olympics of the Violin,” it is the world’s leading international competition for young violinists.
  • As a stated mission, “The Menuhin Competition discovers, encourages and nurtures exceptionally talented young musicians under the age of 22 to develop into the next generation of great artists.”
  • The Competition began in 1983 and is held every two years in a different country
    • Recent competitions were held in Geneva, London, Austin, Beijing, Oslo
  • The Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021, originally scheduled to be held in 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, is only the second time it has ever been hosted in the US (first time was Austin, Texas in 2014), and the first time that the Competition has been held in an all-virtual format.
  • The Menuhin Competition Trust is based in England and is where the Competition started. Although born in New York City, Yehudi Menuhin lived in England for most of his career and adult life.
  • The Competition features an international nine-member jury made up of world-famous soloists and top instrumentalists.

About Menuhin Competiton Richmond 2021

  • The Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021 will be held virtually from May 14-23, 2021.
  • This edition of the Competition received 321 applicants from 32 countries across five continents.
  • The original Competition guidelines are as follows: 44 competitors under the age of 22
    • 22 Juniors: ages 15 and under
    • 22 Seniors: ages 15-21
    • Competitors who are age 15 can pick the age group that they want to compete in
  • Competitors were announced in January 2020, but the 2020 Competition was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Competitors were allowed to retain their 2020 age-status for the 2021 event.
  • The First Rounds of the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021 took place on April 26-29 and can be viewed on 2021.menuhincompetition.org and on the Menuhin Competition YouTube Channel.
  • The Menuhin Competition Celebration Concert kicks off the Competition with an in-person event at he Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center for the Performing Arts, on May 14 at 7:00 PM EDT and on May 15 at 8:00 PM EDT. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Richmond Symphony website.
  • Semi-Final Rounds can be viewed on May 15-16 on 2021.menuhincompetition.org and on the Menuhin Competition YouTube Channel.
  • Junior Finals can be viewed on May 21 and Senior Finals can be viewed on May 22 on  2021.menuhincompetition.org and on the Menuhin Competition YouTube Channel.
  • The Closing Gala Concert at 5:00 PM EDT on May 23 features performances by the Richmond Symphony, the Junior and Senior winners, juror Angelo Xiang Yu and other guest artists from the 10-day virtual Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021. The concert can be viewed on 2021.menuhincompetition.org and on the Menuhin Competition YouTube Channel.
  • A number of professional musicians will perform as guest artists throughout the virtual Menuhin Competiiton, including Regina Carter, Mark and Maggie O’Connor, the Sphinx Virtuosi, Chloe Chua and Christian Li (Junior co-winners of the Menuhin Competition Geneva 2018), and more! For details, visit 2021.menuhincompetition.org.
  • Co-Hosts of the Menuhin Competition Richmond 2021 are the Richmond Symphony, the City of Richmond, Universiy of Richmond, VCU and VPM, Virginia’s home for public media..
  • All events and times are posted on 2021.menuhincompetition.org.