“The Schadt Competition is celebrating 25 years. Presenting the Schadt String competitions for all these years has really created positive national recognition for the Allentown Symphony and the Lehigh Valley region,” says Diane Wittry, Allentown Symphony Orchestra Conductor.

The “Schadt String Competition: Finals Round” is at 2 p.m. March 3, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown. The event is free and open to the public.

Three finalists will compete for cash prizes ranging from $2,500 to $12,000 and a performance with the Allentown Symphony.

The audience can vote for the “Audience Favorite Prize.”

The competition alternates every other year between violin and cello. The instrument for the 2024 contest is cello.

“I certainly find all of the contestants to be incredibly inspiring with their musical performances. Many of our winners have gone on to internationally-recognized careers as soloists and orchestral musicians,” Wittry says.

The competition developed as a result of funding from two brothers, Edwin H. and Leigh W. Schadt, each of whom played violin. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, the brothers became successful businessmen.

They attended Allentown Symphony concerts. They established a trust fund to support string instrument playing. In 1997, the Allentown Symphony Association established the Schadt String Competition.

“We are so grateful to the Schadt brothers, Leigh and Edwin, long-time Allentown residents, for establishing a trust that enables the Allentown Symphony to present this wonderful National Schadt String Competition,” says Wittry.

“It was important to the Schadt brothers that residents and students in the Lehigh Valley had the opportunity to hear string playing of the highest level.

“Since its inception, we have brought hundreds of contestants and judges from all over the world to the Lehigh Valley to participate in this renowned and respected competition.

“The first-place winner is always invited back the following year to be featured as a soloist with the Allentown Symphony.

“New this year is the addition of a recital opportunity at Miller Symphony Hall for the second-place winner.

“Additionally, we now have a network of previous competition winners and two of them are soloing again with the orchestra this season,” says Al Jacobsen, Allentown Symphony Executive Director.

“We remain grateful to Leigh and Edwin Schadt for their large bequest, which continues to fully fund the Schadt Competition to this day,” Jacobsen says.

“Schadt String Competition: Finals Round,” 2 p.m. March 3, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; Free admission, tickets required; Tickets: at box office; 610-432-6715; https://www.millersymphonyhall.org

“Classical View” is a column about classical music concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnon-line.com