Newsletters - Spring 2009

The 24th annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition

Public concerts: June 13-14, 2009 at Knuth Hall San Francisco State University

(San Francisco, CA – May 5, 2009) The annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition is recognized as the world’s leading competition for young string artists. Since its inception 24 years ago, the Klein Competition has given classical music virtuosos between the ages of 15 and 23 a place to showcase their exceptional skills and from which to embark upon a professional career.

Over the course of several days in June, The 24th annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition will bring together eight gifted semi-finalists from across the U.S., South Korea, China, Canada, and from the Bay Area (Daly City and San Francisco). These are some of the world’s most dazzling young cellists, violinists, and violists who will compete against each other for cash prizes; solo appearances with the Peninsula Symphony and the Santa Cruz Symphonies; and recital appearances in Tulsa, OK and Music in the Vineyards series in the Napa Valley All of the cash prizes are to be applied toward future educational and vocational training expenses for the winners.

The 24th annual Klein Competition reviewed 62 entrants who represented nine countries and ranged from 15 to 23 years of age. From this group, eight young artists advanced to the Semifinalist stage of the competition.

Mitchell Sardou Klein, Director of the Klein Competition remarked that “once again the jury was deeply impressed with the remarkable artistry and technical prowess of the applicants.”

Among the Semifinalists are two Bay Area natives – Eunice Kim and Meta Weiss.

Eunice Kim, a 17-year-old violinist from Daly City, studies with Wei He at the San Francisco Conservatory in San Francisco, CA.

San Francisco native, Meta Weiss, a 21-year-old cellist returns to the Klein Competition at which she competed in 2008. Weiss is a student of Norman Fischer at Rice University in Houston, TX.

The other Semifinalists are:

Jacqueline Choi, a 22-year-old cellist from Old Tappan, NJ, studies with Paul Katz at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.

SuJin Lee, a 17-year-old cellist from South Korea, who studies with Paul Katz at the New England Conservatory and who attends Newton South High School.

Vicki Powell, a 20-year-old violist from Chicago, IL, studies with Roberto Diaz at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA.

So Jin Kim, a 23-year-old violinist from South Korea, studies with Cho- Liang Lin at Rice University in Houston, TX.

Nikki Chooi, a 19-year-old violinist from Victoria, Canada, studies with Joseph Silverstein and Ida Kavafian at Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, PA.

Xiang Yu, a 20-year-old violinist from Shanghai, China, studies with Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.

The Irving M. Klein International String Competition is a singular event filled with the thrill and excitement of a competition, and the bravura artistry of classical music. Since its inception in 1985, the Klein Competition has earned recognition as one of the leading string competitions in the world. The award carries the prestige that has helped many top soloists gain prominence in the competitive world of classical music. First prize of the Irving M. Klein International String Competition is $14,000 from the Irving M. Klein Memorial Award including solo appearances with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, recitals at the Tulsa Chamber Music Series (Oklahoma), performances at the Music in the Vineyard festival in the Napa Valley, plus a benefit concert and other performances to be announced.

Second prize is $5,000 from the William M. Bloomfield Memorial Award.

Third prize is $2,500 from The Alice Anne Roberts Memorial Award.

Two Fourth Prizes of $1,500 will also be awarded: the Thomas and Lavilla Barry Award and the Jules and Lena Flock Memorial Award.

There will also be Semifinalist Awards in the amount of $1,000 for each Semifinalist.

The distinguished jury of the 24th annual Irving M. Klein Competition includes members of the Alexander String Quartet, members of the Cypress String Quartet, Peter Gelfand, Marc Gottlieb, Alan Grishman, Joel Hoffman, Joshua Kosman, Patricia Taylor Lee, Jeffrey Miller, and Alice Schoenfeld.

The best seats in the house await you at the Klein Competition! To secure your place at this prestigious competition or to speak with the Klein Competition, please contact NEQA/Communications.

CALENDAR LISTING

WHAT:	The Irving M. Klein International String Competition
WHEN:	Semifinal round: Sat. June 13 @ 10:00am - 3:00pm. Final round: Sun. June 14 @ 4pm *An award ceremony will immediately follow the Final Round on June 14.
WHERE:	San Francisco State University, Knuth Hall (1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco)
TICKETS:	June 13 (Semifinal round): $10 general admission; $5 students, seniors June 14 (Final round): $20 general admission; $10 students and seniors Weekend Pass (Sat. and Sun.) $25 general admission/$15 students and seniors
BOX OFFICE:	kleincompetition.org
PUBLIC INFORMATION:	(415) 252-1122