Strings United
A Chronicle of the 2025 Joint Tertis and Aronowitz Viola Competitions
This blog will cover the 2025 Tertis and Aronowitz Competition, held at the stunning Glasshouse in Gateshead, Newcastle, UK. Over the next seven days, I’ll provide regular updates here to keep you informed about all the exciting developments.
Karin Dolman
Prologue
Today, my husband and I arrived in Newcastle upon Tyne to cover the historic joint hosting of the Lionel Tertis and Cecil Aronowitz International Viola Competitions. This is the first time these prestigious events are being held concurrently, and it promises to be a remarkable celebration of the viola.
The weather greeted us with clear skies and a crisp chill, around 0°C, which felt surprisingly pleasant without any wind.
The competitions are set to take place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, just across the River Tyne from Newcastle. The Tertis Competition, now in its 14th iteration, is open to violists aged 19 to 30, while the Aronowitz Competition welcomes participants 18 and under. With both events running simultaneously, each with separate juries and schedules, I’ll need to carefully plan which performances to attend. The surrounding festival offers a plethora of activities for viola and music enthusiasts alike, making it a vibrant week ahead.
Exploring Newcastle today, we witnessed the city’s passion for football as Newcastle United supporters filled the streets en route to St James’ Park. The match against AFC Bournemouth ended in a 4-1 defeat for the home team, with Justin Kluivert from the Netherlands scoring a hat-trick.
In the late afternoon, we found ourselves in a lively pub with live music. Amidst the cheerful atmosphere, we connected with Donna, a local who shared stories of her days playing the viola in her youth. Her warmth and enthusiasm made us feel right at home in Newcastle.
As the competitions commence tomorrow, I’m eager to meet the talented violists and esteemed musicians who have significantly contributed to the world of viola. It’s shaping up to be an inspiring and memorable week.