The purpose of the Aviv Competitions is to recognize young performing musicians who are ready for a professional career by awarding prizes in their various instruments. The Aviv Competitions are open to young musicians ages 21 to 29 (in conducting up to 32) and to composers ages 24 to 32. The Competitions include every year several categories, repeated in a three-year cycle (except in the piano category, which is held every two years). In each of the participating categories there is only one prize, and only if a proper candidate is found. Winners receive prize money, exposure to the public and to professional critics, and are given performance opportunities, including radio broadcasts in Israel, assistance in developing a career in Israel and abroad (if possible).

The Aviv Competitions are co-sponsored by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the Music Department of the Culture Administration of the Ministry of Culture and Sport, Ensemble Meitar and the Jerusalem Music Centre.

The competitions are held between December and January each year, and they are free and open to the public.

AVIV COMPETITIONS 2011 – Winners

Violin competition
The Ilona Kornhauser Prize
a violin from Yehuda Zisapel Foundation, for three years
Kobi Malkin
Brass
The Rachel and Dov Gottesman Family Prize
Alon Stoler - Trombone
Conducting competition
The Yuri Ahronovitch Prize
Jonathan Spandorf received an Honorable Mentionfor his performance
The Ministry of Culture and Sport Prize for the best performance of an Israeli Work
Hed Yaron Mayersohn
Composition
The Adele and John Gray Prize
Asaf Matityahu
The “Ensemble Choice” Prize – the first-prize composition in the Composition Competition will be performed by Ensemble Meitar in a concert:
Asaf Matityahu
The Meira Gayra "Audience Choice" Prize, donated by The Rachel and Dov Gottesman Family
Conducting: Sivan Albo Ben-Hur
Brass: Nir Erez - Trombone
Violin: Nitzan Bartana