Schedule of events for the 2008 Klein Competition
2007 Klein Competition:Winner Announced
New Commissioned Works
by Frank Stemper
Where Are They Now:What Past Competition Winners Are Doing
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2008 Irving M.Klein International String Competition
Semifinalists Announced
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, eight exceptional young artists from the United States, China, and South Korea 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 four violinists, two cellists, a violist, and a double bassist each of whom will perform a new Commissioned Work by Frank Stemper.
The 2008 Klein Competition Semifinalists are:
Meta Weiss, a 20-year old cellist who is studying with Norman Fischer at Rice University in Houston, TX.
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 $1,500 cash prize.
Emily Deans (viola, age 23) studies with Kim Kashkashian at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA.
Tessa Lark 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.
Lydia Hong (violin, 19 years old) was born in Chicago, IL. She studies with Itzhak Perlman and Donald Weilerstein at Juilliard School in New York City. Lydia is a seasoned competitor as three years ago she advanced to the Semifinalist stage of the Klein Competition.
Congratulations and best wishes to all of our Semifinalists!