Event Schedule 2026
12th Quadrennial Competition
Thursday, September 17
Opening Ceremonies – 6:00 PM
Newfields
4000 N Michigan Road
Preliminaries
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
Frank and Katrina Basile Theater
450 W Ohio Street, Indianapolis
| Saturday, September 19 | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM* |
| Sunday, September 20 | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM* |
| Monday, September 21 | No recitals |
| Tuesday, September 22 | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM* |
| Wednesday, September 23 | 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM | 2:30 PM – 6:50 PM* |
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.