Justin Saulnier is an 18-year-old Franco-Ontarian violinist. He was the recipient of the Lloyd Carr-Harris String Scholarship to attend McGill University Schulich School of Music and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree in violin performance with Andrew Wan.

He was the concertmaster of Canada’s National Youth Orchestra for their 2022 season. He is also the former concertmaster of the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra.

As a soloist, Justin has received many awards, notably the first prize in the 2023 NACO Bursary Competition and in the OMFA’s provincial competition. He is also the winner of the 2023 McGill Concerto Competition and the 2023 Oakville Chamber Orchestra Concerto Competition. He made his orchestral solo debut at age 12 with the Ottawa Chamber Orchestra and since then, has performed with the Pembroke Symphony Orchestra and the Ottawa Youth Orchestra. Justin plays on a 1680 Ruggeri from Cremona, generously loaned to him by CANIMEX INC.

Final Round

VIOLIN

SERGEI PROKOFIEV (1891-1953), Violin concerto no. 1 in D major, op. 19 (21 min)

I. Andantino (9 min)
II. Scherzo. Vivacissimo (4 min)
III. Moderato (8 min)

Semi-final Round

MICHAEL OESTERLE (1968- )
Rondeau

CÉSAR FRANCK (1822-1890)
Sonata for Violin and Piano

I. Allegretto ben moderato

II. Allegro

III. Recitativo-Fantasia (ben moderato)

IV. Allegretto poco mosso

EUGÈNE YSAŸE (1858-1931)
Violin Sonata no. 3 in D minor, op. 27, “Ballad”

J.S. Bach Special Round