Apply for a SINFONIMA Foundation instrument!
The sound,
that turns talent
into a career.
The SINFONIMA Foundation lends outstanding violins and cellos – some up to 300 years old – to talented musicians under the age of 30.
We are delighted to have the Foundation as a supporting partner of the EYOA.
When your skills deserve a better instrument
Many young string players reach a point where their instrument can no longer keep pace with their talent. This is where SINFONIMA comes in: since 1991, the foundation has supported promising young musicians by providing them with high-quality string instruments on loan – accompanying them on their path towards a professional career. For a period of two years, the foundation awards master violins, violas, and cellos spanning several centuries through an annual competition – from a 17th-century Ruggeri violin made in Cremona to outstanding contemporary instruments. The collection currently comprises fifteen master violins, two violas, and nine cellos, each with its own unique musical history – a story that the scholarship recipients are given the opportunity to continue for two years.
How to apply
To apply for an instrument, candidates must submit an application as part of the SINFONIMA Foundation's annual competition. Applicants whose submissions impress the jury are invited to a live audition in Mannheim, where they perform a set repertoire. Together with the Foundation's Board of Trustees, a panel of experienced music professionals decides which instrument will best support each musician's next step towards a professional career.
The competition alternates annually between violins and cellos. Information about the current call for applications, eligibility requirements and application deadlines is available directly from the Foundation.
Why we're proud of this partnership
At the European Youth Orchestra Academy, we bring together young musicians from across Europe every year who are at exactly this stage of their musical journey: talented, ambitious, and looking for the opportunities and tools that allow them to reach their full potential. The SINFONIMA Foundation shares our commitment to supporting young talent – not only through financial support, but by providing meaningful, long-term opportunities that help shape professional careers. We are therefore delighted to have the Foundation as a supporting partner of the EYOA.
Meet the instruments and their makers
Violins
* Francesco Ruggeri, Cremona 1673
* Bapt. Rogerius Bon Nicolai Amati, Cremona, 1678
* Dom Nicola Amati, Bologna, ca. 1720
* Pierre Saint-Paul, Paris, 1742
* Francois Gaviniés, Paris, 1756
* Lazarus Bertoni, Venedig, 1759
* Laurentius Storioni, Cremona, 1774
* Giuseppe Odoardi, Ascoli, 1780
* Vincenzo Trusiano Panormo, Palermo / Monreale, 1784
* Vincenzo Trusiano Panormo, Palermo / Monreale, 1790
* Joseph Ceruti, Cremonensis, 1844
* A.S. Bernardel (Père), Paris, 1850
* Deutsche Geige, Markneukirchen, ca. 1890
* Georg Winterling, Hamburg, 1909
* Ivano Conti, Bern/Cremona, 1998
Cellos
* Nicola Amati, Cremonensis, 1636
* Giovanni & Francesco Grancino, Milan, 1660-1670
* René Champion, Paris, 1753
* Onorato Gragnani, Livorno, 1783
* Nicolas Vuillaume, Paris, ca. 1860
* Franz Johann Glass, Leipzig, 1898
* Ivano Conti, Cremonese, 1990
* Ekkard Seidl, Markneukirchen, 2001 (Guarneri model)
* Hans-Jörg Homolka, Stuttgart, 2012.
Everything you need to know about your application
How many instruments does the SINFONIMA Foundation own?
The SINFONIMA Foundation's collection currently comprises fifteen master violins, two violas and nine cellos spanning several centuries—exceptional instruments that not only tell their own stories but also help shape the sound of the next generation of musicians.
How long are instruments loaned for?
Instruments are loaned by the SINFONIMA Foundation for a period of 24 months.
When does the competition take place?
The SINFONIMA competition is held once a year. Applications are usually invited at the beginning of the year, followed by a live audition for shortlisted candidates. The competition alternates annually between violins and cellos. Please visit the SINFONIMA Foundation's website for the current application dates and deadlines.
When is the next call for applications?
The call for applications usually opens in autumn each year. The application deadline is 31 January of the following year.
When do the auditions take place?
The auditions are usually held in Mannheim in late February or early March. The exact date for the 2027 competition will be announced in due course.
Jury & Selection Criteria
* The Foundation's two Executive Board members are Dr. Lothar Stöckbauer and Jürgen Wörner
* The Board of Trustees consists of distinguished experts with a wide range of musical specializations
* Together, these individuals form the jury
* The awards are granted based on the performances presented during the competition. The jury selects the musical instrument that will best support each winner's artistic development, enabling them to take the next step forward and helping to lay the foundation for their musical career.
For more information, please visit the SINFONIMA Foundation website.
Apply for an instrument loan
Ansprechpartnerin bei der SINFONIMA-Stiftung:
Sarah Güth
Augustaananlage 66
68161 Mannheim
T: 0621 457 4601
E: sarah.gueth@mannheimer.de
Dr. Lothar Stöckbauer, SINFONIMA Stiftungsvorstand
EYOA Friends & Partners – For young talent. For Europe
The heart of our foundation beats for young talent, art, and culture – and with the EYOA, this comes alive: E stands for European unity and diversity, Y for young musical talent, O for orchestral collaboration, and A for Academy, representing support and education. The academy provides young people with a stage to showcase their skills and gives the audience the chance to experience the world-famous Mannheim musical tradition.
In addition to our institutional partners and their representatives, numerous private supporters are also involved in the EYOA Friends.
