This is Haslemere caught up with Ishani Bhoola a professional violinist and the force behind the Haslemere International String Competition. Ishani used to live in Haslemere and has kept up her close connections here through her charity The Waverley Ensemble which hosts this wonderful competition.

If you’ll pardon the pun, Ishani has many strings to her bow. As well as running Waverley Ensemble, she is also artistic director at Issigeac International Music Academy and recently she took up an international advisory board role with the English Chamber Orchestra. She claims to be retired but in truth she is busier than ever. The bulk of her volunteering these days centres on giving young musicians opportunities not just to compete in but also receive mentorship and recitals with professional musicians.

We focussed our conversation with Ishani on the 2026 Haslemere International String Competition. Launched in 2017, this competition gives talented young string players at the beginning of their career a chance to gain significant professional concert exposure.

In 2026, the competition will grow into two categories, with a Junior Competition for players under 16, and a Senior Competition for players aged 17-24. For the time in its history, all finalists will be given the opportunity to be part of a performance project with the English Chamber Orchestra. You get a real sense that Ishani is constantly innovating trying to broaden the reach and scope of her competition.

The First Prize for the Junior Competition in 2026 will be £500, and all three finalists will be involved in a group masterclass with an English Chamber Orchestra leader. In addition, an opportunity to perform with or direct a small ensemble for a short session will be offered.

The First Prize for the Senior Competition will be £1500 and the opportunity to direct a concerto with the English Chamber Orchestra in concert at the Haslemere Festival 2027. Past winners have performed at Haslemere Festival with The London Mozart Players but this will be the first time that the winner will also direct the performance. As Ishani said to This is Haslemere, it is invaluable experience.

We encourage you to navigate your way around the competition website to understand the rules, entry requirement and how to apply. Here is a snapshot of the performances in the 2025 final. The standard is incredibly high!

The deadline to enter The Haslemere International String Competition is January 5th, 2026, at 6pm and the junior and senior finals both take place on 22nd March 2026 at The Royal Academy of Music.

Pictured Elfida Su Turan, joint winner of the 2025 Haslemere International String Competition.