Watch highlights from former editions:
Former chief conductor of Trondheim Symfoniorkester, Finn Audun Oftedal, founded the competition in order to give young musicians an opportunity to show their talent. Several of the prize winners throughout the years have gone on to becoming internationally renowned musicians and soloists.
Ever since 1956 the Princess Astrid International Music Competition enjoys the royal patronage of Princess Astrid, Mrs Ferner of Norway. The Princess has shown the competition inestimable support, and continues to be its active patron and wonderful ambassador , decade after decade.

In 2012 two significant changes were made to the competition: Instead of disciplines rotating between most solo instruments, it was decided to alternate between violin and conducting only. Most significantly, the competition went from being national to becoming international. To honor and acknowledge the national perspective of its founder, the "Finn Audun Oftedal Memorial Scholarship" is awarded the best Norwegian candidate.
Recent winners of Princess Astrid International Music Competition:
- Alvin Ho, conducting, 2022
- Yukari Ohno, violin, 2021
- Yuwon Kim, conducting, 2018
- Mayumi Kanagawa, violin, 2016
- Elena Schwartz, conducting, 2014
- Miriam Helms Ålien, violin, 2012