We were so happy at This is Haslemere to have been invited to attend The Haslemere International String Competition in February. This biennial competition has been running since 2017 and is organised by Ishani Bhoola of The Waverley Ensemble. At the end of each competition, she declares “never again” (it is hard work running an event like this!), however, Ishani’s passion for music education and giving young musicians significant solo experience keeps this competition alive. She has successfully grown the competition from being offered to musicians in the South East in its early days to having competitors from all over the world.

Ishani narrowed a longlist of entrants down to 7 finalists for the February final. In that final, we were introduced to four violinists, four cellists and a double bass player. They ranged in age from 14 years old to 22. They performed pieces from Bach, Beethoven, Paganini to more modern composers, for example, Tabakov and Gershwin. These are young musicians who take their craft seriously and devote hours and hours every day to their lessons and practice to improve their technique and performance ability.

For the first time in the history of this event, there were joint winners! The judges could not decide between the two top performers and said it was too close for them to declare a single winner. Double Bass player, Levi Andreassen, and violinist, Elfida Su Turan, therefore share the 2025 trophy. In addition, Hugo Svedberg won the Cellist Award and will now be part of a 5 day stay at Scandinavian Cello School “The Musical Farm” in Denmark (which will include having lessons with Jacob Shaw). Many congratulations to all the finalists and thank you for your performances.

Three double bass players have now won The Haslemere International String Competition, all taught by Caroline Emery. She is a professor of Double Bass at the Royal College of Music in London where for over 20 years she has had the largest class. 

By being part of this competition, these young finalists will now receive positive constructive insight and encouragement. All finalists will have the chance to perform chamber music in a 'side by side' setting with professionals, giving students the opportunity to experience rehearsal and performance with professional musicians. There is no financial gain for Ishani - just admirable and monumental giving back to the next generation of string players. This is an expensive competition to run so please consider supporting Ishani's Competition GoFundMe.

A 2019 finalist, Imaan Kashim, wrote: 'The competition was a very positive experience with a friendly, supportive atmosphere and useful, detailed feedback. I was thrilled to be selected as a finalist and I very much look forward to working with a professional musician for the forthcoming chamber music concert. I have learnt a great deal through the Haslemere String Competition, it is a brilliant opportunity for young musicians like myself!'

We asked Ishani where we could hear some of these musicians again and it turns out that she is actively working with local Haslemere groups to support these talented musicians.

Here are some dates for your diary from our events calendar. Click on the Live Music tab.

Hugo Svedberg, winner of the Haslemere String Competition 2025 Cellist Award, is performing in Haslemere at St. Christopher’s Church at 1pm on 19th February. This is a free recital with a retiring collection in aid of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and falls in half-term. The concert has been arranged by HHH Concerts.

Levi Andreassen will be performing a double bass programme in Haslemere at 7.30pm on Saturday March 8th at St. Bartholomew's Church.

One of the prizes of The Haslemere International String Competition is a winner’s concerto with London Mozart Players at this year’s Haslemere Festival at 7.30pm on Friday 16th May 2025 in St. Christopher’s Church. Now that there are joint winners, we suspect the Haslemere Festival will offer a joint winners’ concerto for Levi Andreassen on double bass and Elfida Su Turan on violin. No doubt, Ishani is having discussions with the soloists, London Mozart Players and Haslemere Festival to accommodate these joint winners. 

We have also heard that HHH Concerts will offer a lunchtime concert to this year’s finalists and is engaging with past finalist (2023), Ezo Sarici to perform in Haslemere in the Autumn. Keep an eye on our events calendar which will be updated as soon as HHH Concerts launch their 2025/2026 season.

It was a privilege for us to attend the Haslemere International String Competition yesterday. It is unquestionably feeding through into some great live music in Haslemere!