A Musical Launching Pad

For 40 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.

Apply
FAQs

Competition Format

The Semifinal and Final rounds of the Klein Competition are short recitals performed in a concert hall, without interruption, in front of both the jury and an audience.

Semifinalists are responsible for creating programs for each round that satisfy both the repertoire requirements and the specified time limits, as well as giving the jury and audience the most complete picture of the contestant as a musical artist.

Semifinalists submit their proposed programs (in performance order, and with timings for each work) in April so the jury may assist in choosing selections that will both satisfy the Competition requirements and represent their playing in the most favorable light. The Competition reserves the right to recommend changes in programs. Semifinalists may direct questions regarding repertoire, cuts, etc. to Competition Artistic Director Mitchell Sardou Klein.

Program for the Semifinals includes a 25-minute program of:

  • An unaccompanied Bach work (at least one substantial movement)
  • Movement from a Classical, Romantic, or major 20th/21st century concerto (with cuts as necessary)
  • The entire commissioned work (unaccompanied)
  • No sonata movement in this program.

Program for the Finals includes a 30-minute program of:

  • Additional movements of the concerto
  • At least one substantial movement of a Classical, Romantic, or major 20th/21st century sonata with piano (unless the chosen sonata has only short movements, in which case more than one may be programmed)
  • May also include more unaccompanied Bach and/or the commissioned work, if time permits

Prizes

First Prize

$5000 cash prize + Performances ($10,000 in total fees)

  • Full-length recital performance at the Gualala Arts Chamber Music Series; Gualala, CA.
  • Concerto performance with Santa Cruz Symphony; Santa Cruz, CA
  • Concerto performance with San Francisco Chamber Orchestra; San Francisco, CA, Berkeley, CA, and Palo Alto, CA [new in 2024]
  • Performances as part of the Music in the Vineyards Festival; Napa Valley, CA

May include:

  • Concerto performance with Peninsula Symphony Orchestra; Los Altos, CA
  • Recital performance at Noontime Concerts series; San Francisco, CA

Second Prize

$3,500 cash prize and a concerto performance with San José Chamber Orchestra; San José, CA; others TBA

The Second Prize is given by Ruth Short in memory of Elaine H. Klein, wife of Irving M. Klein, and for 25 years, an active board member and supporter of the Klein Competition and California Music Center.

Third Prize

$2,500 cash award

The Third Prize is given by David and Judy Anderson, in memory of Judy’s father, Milton Preves, who was Principal Violist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra from 1939 to 1986 and was instrumental in developing the basis for the current judging procedures for the Klein Competition.

Fourth Prize

Two $1,500 cash awards

Semifinalist Prizes

Each semifinalist not awarded a named prize will receive $1,000.

Best Performance of the Commissioned Work

$500 cash award

The prize for best performance of the commissioned work is named in memory of Allen R. Weiss and Susan E. Weiss, who were often seen ushering together at the competition, typically wearing a dress and bowtie made from the same fabric. They were tireless volunteers for musical and theatrical organizations, and they spent their lives encouraging children (especially their own) to express themselves through the arts.

Pablo Casals Prize

$500 cash award

The Pablo Casals Prize is given for the best performance of the solo Bach work, in honor of the musical tradition of the great master.