Event Schedule 2026

Thursday, September 17

Opening Ceremonies – 6:00 PM
Newfields
4000 N Michigan Road

Sunday, September 19 –
Saturday, September 23

Preliminaries
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
Frank and Katrina Basile Theater
450 W Ohio Street, Indianapolis

Each violinist performs a 45-minute recital of masterworks selected from Ernst, Hindemith, Milstein, Mozart, Paganini, Prokofiev, Reger, Schubert and Ysaÿe, plus a work from the encore repertoire.

* End times may vary according to actual number of Participants.

Friday, September 25 –
Monday, September 28

Semi-Finals
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
Frank and Katrina Basile Theater
450 W Ohio Street, Indianapolis

1:30 PM – 4:15 PM – Session I
7:30 PM – 10:15 PM – Session II

Each of the 16 Participants who advanced from the Preliminaries presents a full recital showcasing 19th and 20th century works from the standard repertoire. This round also includes the World Premiere of the 2026 Commissioned Work, Rhapsody No. 3 for Solo Violin by Jessie Montgomery.

Tuesday, September 29

Donor Appreciation Concert – 8:00 PM
Featuring 2022 Gold Medalist Sirena Huang with Chih-Yi Chen, piano
Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University
610 W 46th Street, Indianapolis

2022 Gold Medalist Sirena Huang takes the stage with IVCI Official Pianist Chih-Yi Chen to perform a recital featuring Mozart’s Sonata in B-flat, K. 454, Gabriela Lena Frank’s Sueños de Chambi, Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 2, Ysaÿe’s Solo Sonata No. 5, and Sarasate’s Introduction et tarantelle, Op. 43.

Wednesday, September 30 –
Thursday, October 1

Classical Finals – 8:00 PM
Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University
610 W 46th Street, Indianapolis

Each evening, three of the six Finalists who advanced from the Semi-Finals collaborate with the East Coast Chamber Orchestra in a concerto by Haydn or Mozart, plus an encore work by Kreisler.

Friday, October 2 –
Saturday, October 3

Finals – 8:00 PM
Hilbert Circle Theatre
45 Monument Circle, Indianapolis

Each evening, three of the six Finalists perform a Romantic or post-Romantic concerto with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Leonard Slatkin. Laureate placement will be announced following the performance on Saturday evening.

Sunday, October 4

Gala Awards Ceremony and Reception – 4:00 PM
Scottish Rite Cathedral Theater
650 N Meridian Street, Indianapolis

Join us for the grand finale of the Competition as we recognize the 2026 Laureates and hear encore performances by each.