Salt Lake City’s Stradivarius International Violin Competition, held every three years, is set to start Monday. The competition was founded and is funded by Charles W. Liu Fine Violins and co-sponsored by the University of Utah School of Music.

As at the previous two competitions (in 2007 and 2010) there will once again be two categories: the Junior International Division and the Utah Division.

The 18 Junior Division participants come from around the world, including China, Canada and the United States. They will be vying for a first prize that will include $7,500 in cash, a hand made violin by Charles Liu valued at $15,000 and the opportunity to solo with the Utah Symphony.

Andrés Cárdenes will be one of the judges for the International Junior Division

Judging this category is a panel of distinguished artists. Among them are Andrés Cárdenes, former concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony; Robert Lipsett, professor of violin at the Colburn School in Los Angeles; and Elmar Oliveira, artist-in-residence at Lynn University Conservatory of Music.

The Utah Division has seven talented young players from around the state. They, too, will be competing for cash prizes. The first place winner will receive $750 and the opportunity to appear with the Utah Symphony.

Adjudicating this division is Robert Baldwin, director of orchestras at the University of Utah and music director of the Salt Lake Symphony; Monte Belknap, professor of music at Brigham Young University; and Matthew Johnson, associate principal cello of the Utah Symphony.

Monte Belknap will be on the panel judging the Utah Division

During the competition, which goes until July 13, there will also be master classes and concerts. One concert will feature Marie Rossano, first prize winner of the 2010 Junior International Division. The other concert will highlight two rare violins, the 1714 Jackson Stradivarius and the 1742 Sloan Guarneri del Gesù.

Below is a schedule of events. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public and take place in Libby Gardner Concert Hall in David Gardner Hall on the University of Utah campus. For more information log on to http://www.stradcompetition.org/2013-competition.html.

• July 8, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Utah Division Round 1.
• July 9, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Utah Division Round 2.
• July 10, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. – International Junior Division Dress Rehearsals. (Closed to public)
• July 10, 7 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies and Concert by Marie Rossano. Finalists in the Utah Division will be revealed; concert will feature Rossano in Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto accompanied by the Salt Lake Symphony and Robert Baldwin.
• July 11, 10:30 a.m.-1:10 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.-6:35 p.m.; 8 p.m.-9:45 p.m. – International Junior Division Semifinals Round 1.
• July 12, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 2 p.m.-5:30 p.m. – International Junior Division Semifinals Round 2.
• July 12, 7:30 p.m. – Stradivarius and Guarneri del Gesù Concert.
• July 13, 8-10 a.m. – Utah Division Final Round.
• July 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Master Classes with International Judges, Thompson Recital Hall, David Gardner Hall. ($25 for two classes; tickets available at Charles W. Liu Fine Violins, 7450 S. State St., Midvale, or at the door)
• July 13, 1-5 p.m. –  International Junior Division Final Round.
• July 13, 1-4 p.m. –  Fine Instruments Exhibition, featuring a selection of Italian, French and German violins, including Stradivarius.
• July 13, 7:30 p.m. – Awards Ceremony and Final Concert; concert will  feature performances by the winners.