APPLICATIONS OPEN NOV 1st 2023
For the 39th Annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition
June 1 – 2, 2024, San Francisco California

(San Francisco CA) Applications open online November 1, 2023 for The Irving M. Klein International String Competition, produced by the California Music Center at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music June 1 – 2, 2024. The Klein will be streamed live as well as before a live audience at the Conservatory. Eight to nine semifinalists will compete over two days for cash prizes and performance contracts totaling $30,000 in value. For details and to apply, visit californiamusiccenter.org.

String players ages 15 to 23 at the time of the Competition of any nationality, not currently under professional management, are eligible to compete. Applications close February 4, 2024. A limited number of application fee waivers and scholarships will be available for applicants demonstrating financial need.

For 38 years, the Klein has attracted some of the world’s finest young string players to San Francisco each June to compete for cash and performance prizes. 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. John Wineglass will compose the Commissioned Works to premiere at the 2024 Klein Competition.

The competition is named for the late cellist and master teacher who devoted himself to the development of young artists. Its award carries the distinction that has helped many top soloists gain prominence in the competitive world of classical music, including Jennifer Koh, Mark Kosower, Vadim Gluzman, Jennifer Frautschi, Alban Gerhardt, Frank Huang and Robert deMaine; Francesca DePasquale, Teng Li, Oliver Herbert, David Requiro, Tessa Lark and Nikki Chooi, among many others. Laureates include principal chairs in many orchestras, including the Philadelphia and Cleveland Orchestras, the Buffalo, New York and LA Philharmonics, and the Boston and Pittsburgh Symphonies.

Violist Emad Zolfaghari won 2023’s First Prize. Admitted at 16, he studies with Hsin-Yun Huang and Misha Amory at the Curtis Institute of Music. Violinist Audrey Goodner placed second, and violinist Ray Ushikubo won Third Prize. The complete 2023 competition can be viewed on the Klein’s YouTube channel.

The distinguished jury will include cellist and Klein laureate Mark Kosower, principal cello of the Cleveland Orchestra and a scholar and teacher of cello; Daniel Stewart, Music Director of the Santa Cruz Symphony, and the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra; violinist Ian Swensen, Chair of Violin at San Francisco Conservatory’s String Department; Barbara Day Turner, Music Director of San José Chamber Orchestra; and this year’s commissioned composer John Wineglass. Additional jury members will be announced soon.

ABOUT COMPOSER JOHN WINEGLASS
John Wineglass’s compositions are inspired by the beauty of creation and the splendor of nature – as well as
bringing to light social justice issues of the past and present. Wineglass currently serves as Composer-in-Residence with the Monterey Symphony. He has received commissions from the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, National Endowment for the Arts; and the Alfred P. Sloan and Heinz Foundations, among others. Commissioned for the Cape Symphony, his #elijah―a symphonic tribute to the life of Elijah McClain, and lost lives of many people of color at the hands of those who are entrusted to serve and protect, was recently released on Navona Records. Wineglass received his Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with a minor in Viola Performance at American University, and a Master’s in Music Composition with an emphasis in Film Scoring at New York University, studyingprimarily with Justin Dello-Joio of the Juilliard School.

ABOUT THE KLEIN COMPETITION
The Klein’s presenting organization, California Music Center, was founded in 1974 by Irving M. Klein, a virtuoso chamber musician and master cello teacher, as the sponsoring organization for a summer music institute and chamber music series for young artists. Following Mr. Klein’s passing in 1985, CMC inaugurated the Irving M. Klein International String Competition (“the Klein”) in 1986; since then, the Klein has become one of the most prestigious events of its kind, attracting entries annually from throughout the world and helping to enhance the developing careers of players who have gone on to become renowned soloists, chamber musicians, teachers, and prominent members of the world’s finest orchestras. Learn more: californiamusiccenter.org.

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MEDIA
PHOTOS: Hi-res photos available from marcy@californiamusiccenter.org cell: 510-409-7855
VIDEO: The complete 2023 competition can be viewed on the Klein’s YouTube channel.
AUDIO DOCUEMTARY: A documentary portrait of the 2022 Competition recorded by NPR’s From the Top can be heard on fromthetop.org.