About the Klein Competition

For over 38 years, the Irving M. Klein International String Competition has attracted some of the world’s finest young string players to San Francisco each June to compete for cash and performance prizes totaling over $30,000. The Klein Competition has achieved international recognition as one of the most prestigious classical music competitions, recognized for the high caliber of the contestants, its unique, nurturing environment, and its commitment to the commissioning of new works.

Past Klein prize winners comprise a who’s who of the classical music artistic community. They include notable soloists and educators Alyssa Park (1989), Jennifer Koh (1993), Vadim Gluzman (1993), Alban Gerhardt (1989), Caroline Campbell (2002), David Requiro (2006), Tessa Lark (2008) and Nikki Chooi (2009); and principal chairs in many of the finest U.S. orchestras, including the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Buffalo Philarmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony.

Have questions? Read our FAQs.

Want to preview the application form before you submit? View it HERE.

Ready to apply? For detailed instructions, review our guidelines HERE.

Questions about repertoire? Take a look at sample repertoire. Please note that it is not inclusive of all acceptable works. Browse past Competition programs for ideas on accepted repertoire.

Want to know how submissions and the Competition are judged? Read our policies and procedures HERE.

Still have questions? Please reach out – we’ll respond to you promptly.