Violin contest semifinalists

Michael Hill International Violin Competition competitors (from left) Richard Lin, of Taiwan/the United States; Nadir Khasimov, of Uzbekistan/the US; Stefani Collins, of the US; Sergey Malov, of Russia; Xiang Yu, of China; and Eric Silberger, of the US took to the stage at Queenstown Memorial Hall on Monday night after making round three of the event's semifinals.

Seven international judges and a chairman deliberated during the first two rounds of competition involving a field of 18 semifinalists.

Mr Lin won the $2000 purse for best performance of New Zealand composer John Psathas' specially commissioned work, Gyftiko.

The six musicians will go on to the third round of the semifinals in Auckland today.

From there, the top three will advance to the final round, performing with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.