The 23rd annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 415/621-3186
Brechin Flournoy, x104, bflournoy@quinn-assoc.com
Lisa Okuhn, x112, lokuhn@quinn-assoc.com

The California Music Center and San Francisco State University, College of Creative Arts are pleased to present one of the foremost competitions for the world’s most outstanding young string players

The 23rd annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition Public concerts: June 14-15, 2008 McKenna Theatre, San Francisco State University

(San Francisco, CA -- April 17, 2008) The annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition is recognized as the world's leading competition for young string artists. For the past 23 years, the Klein Competition has given classical music virtuosos between the ages of 15 and 23 a place to showcase their skills and to initiate their careers.
Over the course of four days at San Francisco State University's McKenna Theatre, some of the world's most dazzling young cellists, violinists, bassists, and violists will compete against each other for cash prizes and solo appearances with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz symphonies, recitals in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), and the Tulsa Chamber Music Series (Oklahoma), plus a benefit concert and performances to be announced. All of the cash prizes are to be applied toward future educational and vocational training expenses for the winners.

This year, 74 young musicians entered the 2008 Klein Competition -- they represented 11 countries and ranged from 15 to 23 years of age. From this group, nine exceptional young artists from the United States, China, South Korea, and Spain advanced to the Semifinalist stage of the competition.

Mitchell Sardou Klein, Director of the Competition commented that according to the Jury "this is one of the strongest groups of applications ever into the Klein Competition. The level of artistry and maturity in the qualifying performances was exceptional. We are also pleased that this year we expect to have all four instruments included among the performers (including double bass, which is not often represented at the Competition)."

Comprising the Semifinalists are five violinists, two cellists, a violist, and a double bassist each of whom will perform a new Commissioned Work by Frank Stemper.

Among the Semifinalists is one San Francisco resident, Meta Weiss, a 20-year old cellist who is studying with Norman Fischer at Rice University in Houston, TX.

The other Semifinalists are:
SiWoo Kim (violin, age 18) from Seoul, South Korea is a returning contestant to the Klein Competition. Kim studies with Roland and Almita Vamos and attends Westerville South High School in Westerville, OH. Last year, Kim placed fourth at the Klein Competition, winning a $1,000 cash prize.
Emily Deans (viola, age 23) studies with Kim Kashkashian at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.
Luis Esnaola (violin, age 22) hails from Madrid, Spain. He studies with Donald Weilerstein at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.
Tessa Frederick (violin, age 18) from Richmond, KY, studies with Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.
Benjamin Jensen (double bass, age 23) from Syracuse, NY studies with Bruce Bransby at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN.
Char Prescott (cello, age 19) from Bethesda, MD, studies with Hans Jorgen Jensen at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
Robin Scott (violin, age 21) from Indianapolis, IN studies with Miriam Fried at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.
Ying Xue (violin, age 22) from Urumqi, 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 $10,000 from the Irving M. Klein Memorial Award including solo appearances with the Peninsula and Santa Cruz Symphonies, recitals in San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), and the Tulsa Chamber Music Series (Oklahoma), 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.
Additionally, there will be Semifinalist Awards in the amount of $1,000 for each semifinalist.

In addition to these cash prizes there will be a Special Award from The Allen R. and Susan E. Weiss Memorial Prize for best performance of commissioned work. The composer of this year's commissioned works is by Frank Stemper, a celebrated and respected Professor of Music, Composer in Residence, and Director of the Center for Experimental Music at the University of Southern Illinois in Carbondale. Prof. Stemper's works have been critiqued as being "curiously accessible."

The distinguished jury of the 23rd annual Klein Competition includes members of the Alexander String Quartet, members of the Cypress String Quartet, Peter Gelfand, Marc Gottlieb, Patricia Taylor Lee, Melvin Margolis, Jeffrey Miller, Donna Mudge, Alice Schoenfeld and Frank Stemper.

Take note of June 11-15 and reserve your seat to this illustrious competition where young stars shine in a most inspiring way. It's a competition that’s not to be missed!

Interviews with the Semifinalists and representatives of the Klein Competition can be arranged through NEQA/Communications.

CALENDAR LISTING
WHAT: The Irving M. Klein International String Competition
WHEN: Semifinal round with Piano Accompaniment: Sat. June 14, 2008 @ 10:00am - 4:00pm
Final round with Piano Accompaniment: Sun. June 15, 2008 @ 4pm
*An award ceremony will follow the Final Round at 7pm on June 15.
WHERE: McKenna Theatre, San Francisco State University
(1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco)
TICKETS: Saturday, June 14 (Semi-final round) - $10 general; $5 student/senior
Sunday, June 15 (Finals) - $20 general; $10 students and seniors
Weekend Pass to both concerts: $25 general, $15 student/senior
BOX OFFICE: Advance tickets www.kleincompetition.org; tickets also available at the door.
PUBLIC INFORMATION: (415) 282-7160 www.kleincompetition.org
High-res jpegs and interviews with Mitchell Sardou Klein, Director Klein Competition are available through NEQA/Communications. ###