Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition

Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition

$15,000 in Cash Prizes

October 30 - November 1, 2008 - Mazzoleni Hall, Royal Conservatory

The Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition which honours the memory of Aaron Brock, a brilliant young classical guitarist, composer and Royal Conservatory instructor, who died tragically two years ago, will be held from October 30 to November 1, 2008.

The Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition is the first initiative of the Foundation created in Aaron's name. The Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes that, as a result of Aaron's young life being cut tragically short, were left unfulfilled.

The Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition will take place in Mazzoleni Hall in conjunction with The Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor St. W. Access through the Philosopher's Walk entrance.

Aaron Robin Brock passed away suddenly at his home on August 3, 2006 at 31 years of age, when his good heart failed without warning, the result of an undiagnosed condition known as ARVC. Aaron was already an accomplished performer having given concerts across the United States, Europe, Canada and Mexico. At the time of his death he was regarded as a great musician of exceptional talent, capable of evoking deep emotion, and sharing a warm, generous connection with his audiences. He graduated from the Eastman School of Music with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in 2003, where he was chosen to be the inaugural recipient of the Andres Segovia Award. He had won top prizes at numerous international competitions such as the Schadt String Competition, Rantoucci Guitar Festival, Appalachian Guitarfest, Canadian Music Competition, Barnett Foundation Guitar Competition, Stotsenberg Guitar Competition, Guitar Foundation of America Competition and the Concert Artists Guild.

Aaron had collaborated as a guitar soloist with many distinguished musicians, ensembles and orchestras in Canada and abroad. His performances were broadcast on CBC radio and City-TV television. Aaron was also a dedicated teacher on the guitar faculty of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, as well as an active composer. His first CD, Toccata was released May 2006.

An international panel of accomplished guitarists and judges from Canada, U.S.A. and Norway will adjudicate the Aaron Brock Memorial International Guitar Competition which is the largest prize guitar competition in Canada offering $15,000 in cash prizes, a three week music residency at the Banff School of Music, and engagements in Canada, U.S.A. and Mexico.

This year's qualifying competing guitarists are from Canada, Australia, U.S.A., Mexico and Greece. The Preliminary Round is Thursday, October 30th from 10am to 2pm. That night at 7:30pm three of the judges, Nicholas Goluses, Mark Delpriora and Randal Avers will play a short concert celebrating the guitar in Mazzoleni Hall.

The Semi-Final Round is Friday, October 31st 10am to 2pm. The Final Round (Concerto] is Saturday, November 1st at 7pm with results announced at the end of the evening. All events are open to the public and are FREE! For complete details and a schedule of events, visit www.aaronbrockcompetition.com.

Worldwide search for aspiring new composers begins

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

October 23, 2008

Worldwide search for aspiring new composers begins

A worldwide search for 21^st century compositional talent will begin this Friday (October 24) with the call for scores for the 2009 University of Aberdeen Music Prize.

The Aberdeen Prize – as it has become known in musical circles – is a unique, biennial competition for aspiring new contemporary composers from around the globe.

Established in 2005, it represents a unique collaboration between the University of Aberdeen and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (SSO), and will be judged by the pre-eminent Scottish composer James MacMillan.

Hundreds of scores from as far afield as Australia, China, India and Russia were submitted for the 2007 prize, with South Korea's Jun Lee eventually coming out on top.

He was awarded £5,000 in the form of a commission to write a full piece for orchestra, which will be premiered by the BBC SSO at Aberdeen Music Hall this Friday (October 24), before being broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

The event will also see the launch of the global call for scores for the 2009 prize. Five works will be selected by a panel of experts and the composers brought to Aberdeen in November 2009 for a series of workshops with the distinguished composer James MacMillan and members of the BBC SSO.

Under the patronage of Dame Evelyn Glennie, the University of Aberdeen Music Prize competition forms the centerpiece of a wider celebration of contemporary musical creativity in the form of a weekend of hands-on events, workshops and concerts in Aberdeen.

Dr Paul Mealor, Senior Lecturer in Music and Director of the University of Aberdeen Music Prize said: "Since it was first launched, this search for creative talent has helped to develop Aberdeen's role as one of the major cultural centres in the UK. Hundreds of composers from every corner of the globe embraced the 2007 competition, many of whom wrote to us to express their gratitude that such an event exists.

"We are also honoured to have such a well respected judge in James Macmillan, and in the BBC SSO we have a body of musicians that understands the techniques of modern music better than anyone. We're delighted to be able to open the call for scores for the 2009 competition."

Gavin Reid, Director of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, said: "The BBC SSO has an international reputation for promoting new music and developing the work of young composers, and so we're delighted to continue our partnership with the University of Aberdeen Music Prize."

Jun Lee will have his commission, Marea, premiered by the BBC SSO, under the baton of American conductor Andrew Litton, at Aberdeen Music Hall on Friday, October 24, 7.30pm. The concert will also include Gershwin's Piano Concerto in F and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony.

The University of Aberdeen Music Prize is open to composers of any nationality, with no age limit or restrictions. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday, May 29, 2009.

For further information and application details for the Music Prize please visit www.abdn.ac.uk/aberdeenmusicprize, email musicprize@abdn.ac.uk or call + 44(0)1224 273 874. Alternatively, contact Aberdeen Music Prize, Office of External Affairs, University Office, King's College, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom AB24 3FX.

Le nouveau Prix de composition de CBC/Radio-Canada

ESPACE MUSIQUE ET CBC RADIO 2 LANCENT UN TOUT NOUVEAU

CONCOURS DE CRÉATION MUSICALE :

ÉVOLUTION

Montréal, 15 octobre 2008 Espace musique, la radio musicale de Radio-Canada, et CBC Radio 2, en partenariat avec le Banff Centre, sont fiers d'annoncer la naissance du concours ÉVOLUTION, le nouveau Prix national de composition de CBC/Radio-Canada.

Date limite d inscription : 15 décembre 2008 à Radio-Canada.ca/evolution

Ouvert à tous les compositeurs canadiens ou résidents permanents âgés de 19 à 35 ans au 15 décembre 2008, ÉVOLUTION accueille toutes les esthétiques musicales contemporaines, une vitrine unique sur la création musicale d'aujourd hui. En plus des 55 000 $ en prix remis par CBC/Radio-Canada et ses collaborateurs, le Banff Centre offre aux cinq finalistes une résidence de composition unique, un séjour de 25 jours (du 2 au 26 mars) au cœur d'un des plus imposants parcs nationaux canadiens. Cette résidence intensive et obligatoire culminera avec la présentation en concert des cinq œuvres finalistes, le 26 mars 2009, un événement diffusé en direct sur CBC Radio 2, à l'antenne d'Espace musique et en son et en images sur Radio-Canada.ca/evolution.

« ÉVOLUTION a pour but d'identifier et d'encourager les jeunes compositeurs les plus prometteurs au pays, et de démystifier, par différents moyens, le processus de création musicale. Nous espérons ainsi mettre en lumière l immense talent de ces artistes issus d un milieu encore trop méconnu, tout en jetant un regard attentif et très personnel sur les étapes de composition d'une œuvre », ont déclaré Christiane LeBlanc et Mark Steinmetz, respectivement première directrice d'Espace musique et directeur de la programmation musicale de CBC Radio 2.

À partir de toutes les candidatures reçues au 15 décembre 2008, un jury national sélectionnera cinq finalistes dont les noms seront dévoilés publiquement le 2 février 2009. Les cinq compositeurs obtiendront alors des indications leur permettant de procéder au travail préliminaire de composition de l uvre finaliste. Mais c'est à partir du 2 mars, à leur arrivée au Banff Centre, que les compositeurs vivront la partie la plus intense du concours, des moments que pourront suivre dans le détail les internautes sur Radio-Canada.ca/evolution. Des entrées de blogues, des vidéos, des entrevues et autres permettront au grand public de ne rien manquer de cette grande aventure.

CBC/Radio-Canada accordera une bourse de 5000 $ à chacun des cinq finalistes. De plus, à l'issue de la grande finale en concert le 26 mars 2009, le Grand Prix national de composition de 20 000 $ sera remis au lauréat par CBC/Radio-Canada et le Conseil des Arts du Canada. Le prix de l'Orchestre de la Francophonie canadienne, sous forme d une commande de 5000 $, sera quant à lui remis à l'un des cinq finalistes. Les auditeurs et les internautes seront appelés à faire connaître leur oeuvre préférée par un vote qui déterminera le lauréat du Prix du public d une valeur de 5000 $, offert par la Fondation Jeunesses Musicales du Canada.

CBC/Radio-Canada est le radiodiffuseur public national du Canada et l'une des plus importantes institutions culturelles du pays. Avec ses 28 services offerts sur toutes ses plateformes radio, télévision, Internet, radio par satellite, audio numérique, sans compter un service de distribution de disques et de musique, et ses services de messagerie sans fil WAP et SMS , CBC/Radio-Canada est de plus en plus accessible à tous les Canadiens, en tous lieux, à tout moment et d innombrables façons.

Radio-Canada.ca/evolution

CBC.ca/evolution

Mount Royal Conservatory students perform Olympian-style musical feats

Mount Royal Conservatory Students perform Olympian-style musical feats Tuesday Aug 26, 2008 The final count is in and Canadian athletes have taken home a total of 18 medals at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics. Outside the sports arena, summer also produced wins for Mount Royal Conservatory students who led internationally and nationally in the field of music. In early August, Tiedan Yao won first prize at the prestigious Eastman Young Artists International Piano Competition in Rochester, New York, having outperformed 23 contenders (aged 15-18) from around the world. The 16-year-old champion impressed the globally-selected panel of judges in several intense rounds of competition, securing the gold medal with what the local Democrat and Chronicle newspaper describes as "a spectacular and sparkling version of Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto. Through the lightness of the music, he (Yao) demonstrated brilliant control laced with feeling." In addition to the $4,000 cash award, Yao, who is a student in the Academy of Music at the Conservatory, also received $1500 in other special prizes, including the audience choice award. And although the highly-gifted musician is still two years away from graduating from high school, Yao has been offered a four-year full tuition scholarship at the Eastman School of Music upon graduation. "This was my first time travelling outside of Canada for an international competition and I'm so happy to have won. Between the nerves, excitement and happiness, it was a great experience. Everyone was very focused and played really well, so it made me play my very best," says an excited Yao. Conservatory student Jan Lisiecki also finished ahead of the musical pack in August. The 13 year old now adds the title of 2008 grand prize winner of the National Music Festival to his medal-laden resume. After taking on 59 other classical musicians and choral groups from across Canada, Lisiecki was one of seven to advance to the final rounds for the top spot and $5,000 prize. According to the director of the Mount Royal Conservatory both students are potent piano forces whose skills and training are not unlike those of Olympic athletes. "To perform at the artistic level demonstrated by Tiedan and Jan requires the same dedication, discipline and specialized training that we see with our Olympic athletes in sports like gymnastics or diving," says Paul Dornian, who goes to compare the two disciplines physically and psychologically. "Playing the piano is a physical process and these young people train their muscles and hone their reactions for many hours a day. Of course, they work with the small muscles in the hands and arms rather than large muscles that athletes need to develop - but like elite athletes - they must constantly be in training," explains Dornian. In addition to the physical similarities, playing concerts or competing in international competitions poses the same psychological challenges of athletic competition and requires the same mental discipline and poise of a winning athlete. "At the level of competition these young artists are involved in - the competitors are all strong and the difference between winning and losing is usually who has prepared the best, and who engages the audience and the jury most effectively," says Dornian, who concludes the eventual result is a combination of technical skill and creative artistry. ___________________________

 ___________________________
 Silvana Saccomani 
 Senior Public Relations Consultant

 Mount Royal College Conservatory
 4825 Mount Royal Gate S.W.
 Calgary, AB T3E 6K6
 Ph    403. 440.6710
 Cell  403. 827.4415
 ssaccomani@mtroyal.ca
 http://www.mtroyal.ca/conservatory/

Junior Piano E-competition final results

1st Minnesota International JUNIOR

Piano-E Competition is now final

Calgary's Jan Lisiecki ties for 3rd place in Yamaha Sponsored Piano Competition for pianists under the age of 17 !

The winners of the e-Piano Junior have been announced in the dramatic Awards Ceremony at 5:30PM on Friday, July 11, 2008 from the stage of the Orchestra Hall. The Ceremony featured performances of all finalists from the earlier rounds. With a Yamaha Disklavier Pro Concert Grand (DCFIIISM4 PRO), video projector, and screen set up on stage, the audience was able to experience the same video-sync technology that was used in the Virtual Audition phase of the competition.

The first prize was shared by Frank Dupree, 16 yrs old, Germany and Nansong Huang, 14 yrs old, China. Both winners have performed again with the Minnesota Orchestra on Friday evening Gala Concert that followed the award ceremony. Second Prize was not awarded The third prize was shared by Osip Nikiforov, 14 yrs old, Russia and Jan Lisiecki, 13 yrs old, Canada. Fourth Prize was not awarded. The fifth prize was awarded to Vladimir Levitsky, 16 yrs old, Russia.

The archived videos of all solo rounds, pictures from the competition will be available on the Minnesota E-Competition website soon. MIDI files of all solo performances will be available shortly after. Please stay tuned.

For further information visit:

www.piano-e-competition.com

NEC Students Sweep Four Top Prizes at International Klein Strings Competition

New England Conservatory String Players Sweep Irving M. Klein Competition

Take First, Second, and Third Prizes, Tie for Fourth

Four New England Conservatory string students swept the 23rd annual Irving M. Klein International String Competition, held June 14—15 at San Francisco State University. This was the second major competition this month in which NEC students took the top prizes: On June 8, two NEC violists, Dimitri Murrath and Emily Deans, took First and Second Prizes at the Primrose International Viola Competition.

At the Klein Competition, Tessa Lark (Frederick), 18, from Richmond, KY and a student of Miriam Fried, won both First Prize and the Weiss Prize for Best Performance of a Commissioned Work by Frank Stemper. Her prizes included a cash award of $10,000 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 other performances to be announced.

Second Prize of $5000 went to Robin Scott, 21, from Indianapolis, IN who also studies with Fried.

Ying Xue, 22, from Urumqi, China and a student of Donald Weilerstein won the $2500 Third Prize.

Emily Deans, the 23-year old violist who was a prize winner in the Primrose competition, shared the 4th Prize. She is a student of Kim Kashkashian.

Founded in 1985, the Klein is recognized as one of the world’s leading competitions for young string players, age 15—23. This year, 74 young musicians, hailing from 11 countries, entered the competition. Eight played in the semi-finals and finals in San Francisco. The jurors included members of the Alexander and Cypress Quartets, Peter Gelfand, Marc Gottlieb, Patricia Taylor Lee, Melvin Margolis, Jeffrey Miller, Donna Mudge, Alice Schoenfeld, and Frank Stemper.

For further information, check the NEC Website at: http://www.newenglandconservatory.edu/faculty/index.html

or call the NEC Concert Line at 617-585-1122. NEC’s Jordan Hall, Brown Hall, Williams Hall and the Keller Room are located at 30 Gainsborough St., corner of Huntington Ave. St. Botolph Hall is located at 241 St. Botolph St. between Gainsborough and Mass Ave.

Winners of the 2008 Primrose Competition

Dimitri Murrath of Belgium Wins

the 2008 Primrose International Viola Competition

On Sunday night, June 8th, in the Smith Music Theatre of Arizona State University's Herberger College of the Arts, 26 year-old Dimitry Murrath and fellow finalists Emily Deans, Lambert Jun-Yuan Chen, Wei-Ting Kuo, Molly Carr, and Barbara Buntrock appeared during the Eleventh Primrose International Viola Competition Final Round. Over the course of the evening five Bartok concerti and one Walton concerto were performed.

As evening turned into morning the audience eagerly awaited results joined by listeners streaming live online from around the world.

Murrath was overwhelmed by his win. "This is an unbelievable moment," he said. First Prize includes $5,000 USD, a viola made by Italian master luthier Carlo Testoni, a gold-mounted Arcos Brasil bow, and select concert appearances in the United States and Europe.

Second Prize of $3,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 24 year old Emily Deans of the United States; Third Prize of $1,000 and an Arcos Brasil bow went to 21 year old Molly Carr of the United States. The Liben Music Prize for a Semi-Finalist who had the best performance of Scott Slapin's composition Recitative for Solo Viola, a piece specially commissioned for the Competition, was won by First Prize Winner Dimitri Murrath. The Linnet Music Prize for an outstanding performance of a Bach work was awarded to Barbara Buntrock of Germany. The Primrose Prize for an outstanding performance of a Primrose transcription was awarded to YiYin Li of China and Second Prize winner Emily Deans. The Sonata Prize for an outstanding performance of a sonata was awarded to Victor de Almeida of the United States and First Prize winner Dimitri Murrath.

The 2008 Competition jury, chaired by former Competition director Claudine Bigelow, was internationally representative and included Amir Shiff of Israel, Bruno Pasquier of France, Steven Tenenbom of the United States, Eugene Sarbu of Romania, and Ensik Choi of Korea. Carol Rodland of the United States returned having served as juror for the semi-final and final rounds in 2005.

Leading up to the finals was a week of intense competition for 70 competitors representing 18 countries. Live Preliminary Rounds were held June 2nd and 3rd, during which competitors were required to perform the first movement of their chosen concerto and a Primrose transcription. At the completion of those rounds the jury selected seventeen competitors to go through to the Recital Round. During the Recital Round competitors were required to perform Scott Slapin's Recitative for Solo Viola, a second Primrose transcription, a sonata, and a selection of Bach. From this round, the jury chose the six finalists. All rounds were streamed live online.

The triennial Primrose International Viola Competition, chaired this year by past winner Nokuthula Ngwenyama, aims to recognize and showcase young musicians who have achieved world class excellence through intensive hard work and unusual talent. Founded in 1979 as the first international competition solely for violists, William Primrose served as chair of the jury for its inaugural year. The American Viola Society (AVS), through an endowment established by memorial contributions made by friends, colleagues, artists, and admirers of the great virtuoso, has sponsored the competition since 1986. Over the last 30 years it has established an impeccable track record for identifying the talent of tomorrow and is respected for its integrity. Past winners are currently engaged in the highest levels of professional artistic careers.

The Twelfth Primrose International Viola Competition is scheduled to begin the end of May, 2011.

2008 Honens ProAm amateur piano competition raises more than $80,000

CALGARY, AB, June 3, 2008 – Five Calgarians, all of them accomplished musicians with day-jobs in other professions, took their turn at a 9-foot Steinway concert grand on Saturday night to stake their claim on the 2008 Honens ProAm title. In a surprise twist, two of the pianists walked away winners. Derek Bullen, founder and President of S.i. Systems Ltd and Kieth Mullback, a partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP tied as 2008 ProAm Champion Prize. Bullen also received the Audience Choice Prize.

Bullen and Mullback and fellow competitors Terry Slabe, Ruth Spivak, and Amy West, each performed a 20- minute recital for a near full-house at The GRAND, and raised more than $80,000 for the prestigious Honens International Piano Competition. Each pianist committed to raising $15,000 individually since signing on to the event last September. They exceeded their fundraising target of $75,000 early last week.

"These five professionals really have nerves of steel,"commented Stephen McHolm, Executive Director of Honens. "They each have demanding careers in other professions but found time to perform at a remarkably high level. Honens is truly lucky to have the support of people like Derek, Kieth, Terry, Ruth, and Amy."

The Honens ProAm jurors were Irene Besse, owner of Irene Besse Keyboards Ltd; Minsoo Sohn, First Laureate, 2006 Honens International Piano Competition; and Joyi Wei, winner of the 2005 Honens ProAm and an engineer with Enbridge Inc.

The Sixth Honens International Piano Competition takes place in Calgary, October 22 to November 6, 2009. For more information about Honens, please visit honens.com.

CMIM Piano 2008: l’étape quart de finale / Quarter Finals

For English, see below

Piano 2008: Aujourd'hui !

C'est aujourd'hui que débute l'étape quart de finale du 7e Concours Musical International de Montréal (CMIM), consacré cette année au piano. Suite au désistement d'Eun-Shik Park de la Corée-du Sud, c'est 23 pianistes (11 hommes et 12 femmes) de 12 pays qui prendront part à cette première portion de la compétition.

Photo: Gunther Gamper

Voici l'ordre de passage, déterminé par tirage au sort :

Salle Pierre-Mercure
Centre Pierre-Péladeau
300, boul. de Maisonneuve Est
Montréal
Réservations : 514-987-6919
Réseau Admission : 514-790-1245
www.admission.com

Mardi 20 mai

13 h	Chun-Chieh YEN - Taiwan
13 h 50	Andrejs OSOKINS - Lettonie
15 h	Wei-Jen YUAN - États-Unis
15 h 50	Irina SHKURINDINA - Russie
19 h	Marie-Hélène TREMPE - Canada
19 h 50	Vladimir MILOSEVIC - Serbie
21 h	Sara DANESHPOUR - États-Unis
21 h 50	Alexandre MOUTOUZKINE - Russie

Mercredi 21 mai

13 h	Lang Ning LIU - Canada
13 h 50	Kotaro NAGANO - Japon
15 h	Sanja BIZJAK - Serbie
15 h 50	Michelle NAM - Canada
19 h	Yu-Lin SHEN - Taiwan
19 h 50	Sergei SARATOVSKY - Canada
21 h	Dorel GOLAN - Israël
21 h 50	Piotr Tomasz SZCZEPANIK - Pologne

Jeudi 22 mai

13 h	Gintaras JANUSEVICIUS - Lituanie
13 h 50	Aiko YAJIMA - Japon
15 h	Elizabeth SCHUMANN - États-Unis
15 h 50	Masataka TAKADA - Japon
19 h	Jiny CHOI - Corée du Sud
19 h 50	Carlos AVILA - États-Unis
21 h	Nareh ARGHAMANYAN - Arménie

L'identité des 12 candidats qui seront retenus pour l'étape demi-finale sera dévoilée à l'issue de la dernière session du jeudi 22 mai. Rappelons que l'épreuve quart de finale est diffusée en direct, en son et en images, sur le site Internet de Radio-Canada au www.radio-canada.ca/cmim De plus, toujours en direct sur ce même site web et à l'issue de chaque session, l'animatrice Françoise Davoine recueillera les commentaires du pianiste français Bruno Rigutto. Notons par ailleurs que CBC Radio Two, 93,5 FM à Montréal, diffusera les meilleurs moments du quart de finale et de la demi-finale, lors d'une émission spéciale, le dimanche 25 mai à 15 h 30. L'animateur Kelly Rice sera alors entouré du pianiste canadien David Jalbert et de la réalisatrice Martha de Francisco.

Horaire complet

Tous les détails du CMIM 2008 au www.concoursmontreal.ca

Piano 2008 : Today !

The Quarter Final round of the 7th Montreal International Musical Competition, dedicated to piano, begins today. Following South Korean Eun-Shik Park's withdrawal, 23 pianists (11 men and 12 women) will take part in this first part of the Competition.

Photo: Gunther Gamper

Here is the candidates' order of appearance, determined by random draw:

Salle Pierre-Mercure
Centre Pierre-Péladeau
300, Maisonneuve East Bwd
Montréal
Berri-UQAM Subway
Réservations : 514-987-6919
Réseau Admission : 514-790-1245
www.admission.com

Tuesday, May 20

1 p.m.	Chun-Chieh YEN - Taiwan
1:50 p.m.	Andrejs OSOKINS - Latvia
3 p.m.	Wei-Jen YUAN - United States
3:50 p.m.	Irina SHKURINDINA - Russia
7 p.m.	Marie-Hélène TREMPE - Canada
7:50 p.m.	Vladimir MILOSEVIC - Serbia
9 p.m.	Sara DANESHPOUR - United States
9:50 p.m.	Alexandre MOUTOUZKINE - Russia

Wednesday, May 21

1 p.m.	Lang Ning LIU - Canada
1:50 p.m.	Kotaro NAGANO - Japan
3 p.m.	Sanja BIZJAK - Serbia
3:50 p.m.	Michelle NAM - Canada
7 p.m.	Yu-Lin SHEN - Taiwan
7:50 p.m.	Sergei SARATOVSKY - Canada
9 p.m.	Dorel GOLAN - Israel
9:50 p.m.	Piotr Tomasz SZCZEPANIK - Poland

Thursday, May 22

1 p.m.	Gintaras JANUSEVICIUS - Lithuania
1:50 p.m.	Aiko YAJIMA - Japan
3 p.m.	Elizabeth SCHUMANN - United States
3:50 p.m.	Masataka TAKADA - Japan
7 p.m.	Jiny CHOI - South Korea
7:50 p.m.	Carlos AVILA - United States
9 p.m.	Nareh ARGHAMANYAN - Armenia

The names of the 12 candidates who will move to the Semi-final round will be announced following the outcome of the last Quarter Final session on Thursday, May 22. Remember that video and audio of the Quarter Final round is broadcast live on Radio-Canada's website at www.radio-canada.ca/cmim. In addition, also live on the same website at the end of each session, host Françoise Davoine will take comments from French pianist Bruno Rigutto. Please note that CBC Radio Two, 93.5 FM in Montreal, will broadcast highlights of the Quarter Final and Semi-final rounds on a special show on Sunday, May 25 at 3:30 p.m. Host Kelly Rice will welcome Canadian pianist David Jalbert and producer Martha de Francisco to the studio.

Complete schedule

Complete MIMC 2008 details can be found at www.concoursmontreal.ca

Le Concours international d'orgue du Canada : Une première à Montréal !

Le nouvel événement majeur prend son envol avec l'annonce de
16 concurrents

MONTREAL, le 5 mai /CNW Telbec/ - Cet automne, Montréal accueillera du 8 au 19 octobre 16 organistes virtuoses dans le cadre de la première édition du Concours d'orgue international du Canada (CIOC). "Ce Concours est une vitrine extraordinaire pour l'imposant patrimoine culturel montréalais, notamment, pour les magnifiques orgues de ses nombreuses églises, a déclaré Kent Nagano, directeur musical de l'Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal et patron d'honneur du Concours. Je salue les efforts investis dans la démystification de la musique d'orgue, et je suis fier d'offrir mon soutien en vue de cet événement musical de premier plan." Seul concours international d'orgue des Amériques en 2008, l'événement triennal misera sur la qualité pour offrir au public un nouveau rendez-vous musical de classe internationale.


Montréal, berceau de l'orgue

Ville aux cent clochers, Montréal possède une collection d'orgues de grande envergure d'une valeur inestimable. Les professeurs d'orgue des universités et conservatoires du Québec sont reconnus et le talent des facteurs d'orgues d'ici rayonne à l'étranger. "Avec autant d'éléments jouant en faveur de Montréal, la création d'un concours international d'orgue devenait incontournable. Octobre 2008 sera mémorable dans l'histoire de l'orgue au pays !", a déclaré M. John Grew, organiste de l'Université McGill et directeur artistique du CIOC.

Avec l'arrivée du Concours, un nouveau rendez-vous est maintenant inscrit à l'agenda culturel des Montréalaises et des Montréalais et à celui des visiteurs. "Je me réjouis de la tenue de ce concours d'envergure internationale dans la métropole, a déclaré madame Catherine Sévigny, conseillère associée à la culture et au centre-ville à la Ville de Montréal. Indéniablement, ce nouvel événement est source de fierté et contribue au rayonnement de Montréal comme métropole culturelle."


Un concours international prestigieux

Menée auprès de 1500 facultés de musique et conservatoires autour du monde, la campagne de recrutement du CIOC a permis de recevoir 60 candidatures de 17 pays. Outre le nombre important d'inscriptions pour un nouvel événement, le niveau très relevé des musiciens ressort de façon claire.

Des 16 organistes retenus par un jury préliminaire, 13 sont lauréats de concours d'orgue établis. Représentant 11 pays, cette sélection de très haut calibre regroupe six femmes et dix hommes d'une moyenne d'âge de 28 ans. Pendant le concours un jury de neuf éminents spécialistes de sept pays déterminera les lauréats et leur remettra 65 000 $ en bourses et de nombreux prix spéciaux. "C'est à la fois grâce au jury international et avec les prix les plus importants de tous les concours d'orgue que le Concours international d'orgue du Canada a attiré 16 des meilleurs jeunes organistes au monde", a déclaré M. Grew, qui présidera le jury en octobre prochain.

Le volet compétitif du concours se déroulera en trois épreuves, entre le 8 et 17 octobre, et se clôturera par un concert gala des lauréats le 19 octobre. La première épreuve se tiendra à l'Eglise Immaculée-Conception, la deuxième à l'Eglise Saint-Jean-Baptiste et la finale à la Basilique Notre-Dame. John Grew, directeur artistique du CIOC, promet aussi des concerts et des activités de formation dont l'annonce se fera en septembre prochain.

"Le CIOC ancrera le statut de Montréal comme capitale nord-américaine de l'orgue. Dès la première édition, nous souhaitons positionner notre Concours parmi les meilleurs au monde", a fait remarquer M. E. Noel Spinelli, C.M., le président du conseil d'administration du CIOC.

Partenaires et visionnaires

C'est grâce aux efforts et à l'engagement des membres du conseil d'administration du Concours que des appuis financiers importants ont été obtenus. Comme diffuseur officiel, Radio-Canada contribuera à la découverte. Avec les intervenants du milieu de l'orgue, ses donateurs et ses partenaires fondateurs soit RBC, Equipe Spinelli, Financière Sun Life et Hydro Québec, le Concours international d'orgue du Canada jouera un rôle de premier plan pour faire connaître de nouveaux talents qui mettront en valeur ces instruments spectaculaires, souvent inconnus du public. Mentionnons aussi la participation du Ministère de la culture, des communications et de la condition féminine, du Ministère du tourisme et de la Ville de Montréal. Fort de l'appui de ses partenaires, le CIOC poursuit les démarches de recherches de fonds afin de garantir le succès de sa première édition et d'assurer sa continuité.

A propos du CIOC

Le Concours international d'orgue du Canada (CIOC) accueille au pays de jeunes organistes recrutés à travers le monde. L'organisme effectue un travail annuel pour promouvoir l'orgue comme instrument majeur dans la culture musicale au pays en plus de contribuer au développement de la carrière de jeunes organistes. Présenté sur des instruments de qualité dans des lieux d'une grande beauté architecturale, le CIOC jouera un rôle important dans la mise en valeur du patrimoine qui a fait de Montréal une référence nord-américaine dans le domaine de l'orgue. Vous pouvez consulter le site Web du CIOC au www.ciocm.org.

Canadian International Organ Competition: A "First" in Montreal!

Major new event launches, 16 international competitors revealed

MONTREAL, May 5 /CNW Telbec/ - This Fall, between October 8 and 19, Montreal will welcome 16 brilliant young organists from around the world under the auspices of the first edition of the Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC). "This Competition will showcase Montreal's diverse heritage, notably through the exceptional collection of instruments held in churches throughout the city," commented Kent Nagano, Music Director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal and Honorary Patron of the competition. "I salute the efforts made in demystifying the organ and its music, and I am proud to offer my support in preparation for this major musical happening." The only international organ competition in the Americas in 2008, this triennial event is of such high quality that it offers the public a new musical experience of international calibre.

Montreal, cradle of the organ

City of a hundred churches, Montreal possesses an extraordinary collection of priceless organs. Professors of organ music at Quebec universities and conservatories are well renowned and the talent of our organ builders is recognized all over the world. "With all these elements playing in favour of Montreal, the creation of an international organ competition here was inevitable. October 2008 will be memorable in Canada's history of the organ!" so said Mr. John Grew, Organist at McGill University and Artistic Director of the CIOC.

With the arrival of this competition, a new rendezvous is now written in the cultural agenda of all Montrealers and all visitors to Montreal. "I am thrilled that we are holding this international competition in the heart of the city," declared Ms. Catherine Sévigny, associate councillor for culture and downtown, City of Montreal. "This new event is without a doubt a source of great pride, and contributes to the influence of Montreal as a cultural centre."

A prestigious international competition

After a major launch in 1500 faculties and conservatories of music around the world, the CIOC recruitment campaign brought forward 60 candidates from 17 countries. In addition to this important number of entries for a new event, the high level of talent in the musicians became rapidly obvious.

Of the 16 organists chosen by a preliminary jury, 13 are already prize winners in well-established international organ competitions. Representing 11 countries, this selection of very high calibre talent includes six women and ten men with an average age of 28 years. For the Competition, a jury of nine eminent specialists from seven countries will determine the winners, and who will ultimately receive the $65,000 in prizes and other special awards. "It is thanks to the quality of this international jury and the appeal of the Competition's generous prizes, which are greater than any other organ competition in the world, that the Canadian International Organ Competition has attracted 16 of the finest young organists from across the globe," declared Mr. Grew, who will preside over the jury next October.

The competitive part of the event will take part in three rounds, between October 8 and 17, and will close with a Gala Concert showcasing the winners on October 19. The first round will take place at the Immaculate Conception Church, the second at the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church and the final round at the Notre-Dame Basilica. Artistic Director John Grew promises that a number of concerts and educational activities will be held conjointly. The exact place and time of these will be announced in September.

"The CIOC will confirm Montreal's status as North America's pipe organ capital. And for its first edition, we want the CIOC to position itself as one of the most prestigious organ competitions in the world," commented Mr. E. Noel Spinelli, C.M., Chairman of CIOC's Board of Directors.

Partners and visionaries

It is thanks to the generous efforts and the commitment of the members of the Competition's Board of Directors that important financial support has been obtained. Radio-Canada will contribute to the experience as the contest's official broadcaster. The support of the pipe organ world, private sponsors, and founding partners, such as RBC, Team Spinelli, Sun Life Financial and Hydro Québec, will allow the CIOC to play a leading role in highlighting those new talents that are able to bring out the spectacular, and often unknown, nature of these instruments. The event is also being bolstered by the participation of the Quebec Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Tourism and the City of Montreal. Greatly encouraged by this support, CIOC is actively seeking other sources of funding to ensure the success of this first edition of the Competition and guarantee its continuance.

About CIOC

The Canadian International Organ Competition (CIOC) welcomes young organists to Montreal from around the world. Each year, the organization works to promote the organ as a major instrument in the world of music, and also contributes to the development of the careers of the young organists. The Competition, by showcasing these impressive instruments in their historically beautiful settings, plays an important role in emphasizing the value of our heritage, and recognizing Montreal as a major North American centre for pipe organ music. Please visit the CIOC's website at www.ciocm.org.

NAC announces winners of 2008 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition

Ottawa, Canada – The National Arts Centre (NAC) has announced the winners of the 2008 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition following the finals held on Sunday, May 4 in the NAC Studio. Eight finalists had been chosen from the 26 contestants heard in preliminary auditions held on April 30 and May 1. The grand prize-winner of the 2008 NACO Bursary ($7,000) is flutist Amelia Lyon (age 22). In 2007, Amelia was the winner of both the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award and the Special Prize for Orchestral Excerpts.

This year’s winner of the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award of $5,000 is cellist Brian Jangho Yoon (age 21). The Friends of the NAC Orchestra Award ($3,000) went to percussionist Krystina Marcoux (age 18), while violinist Yolanda Bruno (age 18) won the NAC Vic Pomer Award ($2,000). The Piccolo Prix ($1,000) went to flutist Lara Deutsch (age 16).

The NACO Special Prize for the best performance of prescribed orchestral excerpts was not awarded this year.

Honourable mentions of $150 went to violinist Won-Hee Lee (age 19); oboist Marc Gibbons (age 22), and violinist Justin Lamy (age 18).

The Bursary Committee and Jury were chaired by Vernon G. Turner, Canada’s former Ambassador to the USSR and to Israel, and an active volunteer at the National Arts Centre. Mr. Turner said: “The dedication of these young artists is admirable. It makes me feel very optimistic about their prospects.”

The 2008 Bursary Committee and Jury consisted of NAC Orchestra concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki, assistant principal second violin Winston Webber (upper strings), bassist Murielle Bruneau (lower strings), flutist Emily Smethurst (winds), French horn Félix Acevedo (brass and percussion), and Ross Francis, (Friends of NACO representative). The Committee included Kelly Abercrombie as the NAC Music representative. The Jury included Turner and Francis (non-voting members), and also included special guests Jean-Guy Brault (former NACO flutist) and Rosalind Sartori (former NACO cellist), and special advisor Ian Bernard (non-voting member).

The National Arts Centre Orchestra (NACO) Bursary Competition was first held in 1981. The NACO Bursary was created by the musicians of the NAC Orchestra as a gesture of appreciation to the audiences who had been so supportive to the Orchestra during its first decade. It is meant to provide recognition and financial support to help further the development of young Canadian orchestral musicians who have connections to the National Capital Region (NCR). In subsequent years thanks to the generosity of additional organizations and individuals, other prizes have been added for a total in 2008 of $18,500. These prizes, in addition to the NACO Bursary, are the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award, created in 2003 by this Foundation which strongly believes in the importance of helping young people; the Friends of the NAC Orchestra (formerly NACOA) Award created in 1993 to celebrate the Orchestra’s 25th anniversary season; the NAC Vic Pomer Award commemorating one of the founding violinists of NACO and a dedicated teacher who died in 2001 at age 70; the Piccolo Prix provided “to encourage and support our young artists” by NAC volunteer and Donors Circle member Cav. Pasqualina Pat Adamo, and the NACO Special Prize of $500 for the best performance of prescribed orchestral excerpts.

All prizes are intended for music students aged 16 to 24 whose principal or family residence is in the National Capital Region, or who have been following a recognized course of music study in the NCR in the previous year in preparation for careers as professional orchestral musicians. Each year, a jury identifies deserving recipients through audition and selection.

CBC Radio One & The Quebec Writers' Federation Announce The Winners Of The 2007 Quebec Writing Competition

And a New Book Of Winning Stories From Vehicule Press

Montreal, May 4, 2008

Creative non-fiction by Joel Yanofsky wins the 2007 Quebec Writing Competition.

CBC Radio One and the Quebec Writing Federation are pleased to announce that Joel Yanofsky has won the top prize in the 2007 Quebec Writing Competition with a moving piece about being the father of a child with autism.

We're also celebrating the launch of a new book of winning stories from the last 3 years of the competition: In Other Words (Vehicule Press).

For 9 years the Quebec Writing Competition (formerly the Quebec Short Story Competition) has supported new writing in Quebec by offering authors a chance to create pieces for broadcast on CBC Radio as well as for publication by Maisonneuve Magazine + Vehicule Press. Two years ago, the competition was opened up to include creative non-fiction as well as short stories.

The awards ceremony took place at the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival on May 4, 2008 and was hosted by CBC Radio One's Jeanette Kelly. The 2007 QWC Jurors were Lee Maracle, Sherry Simon + Matthew Fox.

About the 2007 QWC Winners:

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Joel Yanofsky for 'What You Need'

Jurors' Comments: In a story that describes an adulthood of thoughts in a single drive home, readers will find the sobriety of an essay, the honesty of a memoir and the truth of narrative fiction. Crisp sentences roll smoothly yet surprisingly along, showing us that parenthood is a journey of unpredictable emotions.

Joel Yanofsky is the author of Mordecai & Me: An Appreciation of a Kind. His most recent work is Love U: The Grad School Musical.

Other 2 winners of 2007 QWC:

Jessica Block for 'Common Gull'

Jurors' comments: Nostalgia and violence conspire here to offer a quiet and understated story. "Common Gull" uses simple dialogue to show us the complexity of childhood, and how even the earliest parts of our life can offer surprising depths of both compassion and curiosity.

Author Bio: Jessica Block works as a subtitle editor in Montreal. She is also completing an MFA in creative writing through UBC's Optional Residency program.

Jennifer Neri for 'The Mistake'

Jurors' Comments: [This story] brings to life the hypocrisy and racism that exist under the veneer of everyday life, even in a multicultural society. The author shrewdly embeds her social observations in the history of both the central character and her city—Montreal.

Author Bio: Before she could read, she told stories. Once she began reading, she was never without a book. It is this fascination with the unknown, and the known, that led her to do Masters degree in Biochemistry at McGill University. She has recently completed her first novel, and is eager to embark on a second.

Young musicians compete for $18,500 at the Finals of the NACO Bursary Competition 2008 on May 4

Ottawa, Canada – Up to eight young musicians with connections to the National Capital Region will compete for prizes totaling $18,500 at the Finals of the 2008 NAC Orchestra Bursary Competition to be held on Sunday, May 4 at 19:00 in the National Arts Centre Studio. These finalists will be selected from 30 applicants who auditioned before a jury of National Arts Centre Orchestra musicians and guests on April 30 and May 1. The winners will be announced and presented with certificates and cheques at the May 4 Finals. Admission is FREE, but donations to the NAC Orchestra Bursary Trust Fund are greatly appreciated.

Each finalist will perform short orchestral excerpts followed by a movement from a concerto or sonata that features their instrument, sometimes accompanied by piano. Refreshments will be served while the jury deliberates before the announcement of the winners.

The NACO Bursary Competition is open to music students in or from the region aged 16 to 24 who are following a recognized course of music study in preparation for careers as professional orchestral musicians. This year’s Bursary Committee and Jury are chaired by Vernon G. Turner, Canada’s former Ambassador to the USSR and to Israel, and an active volunteer at the National Arts Centre.

The NACO Bursary Trust Fund was established in 1979 to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the founding of the National Arts Centre Orchestra and to thank the people of the National Capital Region for their support during the Orchestra’s first decade. The top prize is the NACO Bursary of $7,000 funded from the NACO Bursary Trust Fund. A second Trust Fund prize of $2,000 is the NACO Vic Pomer Award named for the late NACO violinist. A third prize covered by the Fund is the NAC Orchestra Special Prize of $500 for Best Orchestral Excerpts. Also available are three additional prizes to be awarded at the Jury’s discretion: the Harold Crabtree Foundation Award of $5,000; the Friends of the National Arts Centre Orchestra Award of $3,000, created in 1993 to celebrate the Orchestra’s 25^th season; and the Piccolo Prix of $1,000 initiated in 2001 by Pasqualina (Pat) Adamo.

Former CBC producer Joe Fingerote joins Honens

news release
for immediate Release

Monday, April 21, 2008 - Joe Fingerote, Executive Producer of Radio Music, Arts, and Entertainment for CBC Alberta, will join the management of Honens International Piano Competition as Director, Recording and Online Development in June.

Producer and host of numerous CBC Radio shows including Arts Encounters, Shaken Not Stirred, Shuffle, and guest host of In Performance, Joe Fingerote will lead Honens' live recording, and internet-based broadcasting projects.

"With the changing landscape of classical music broadcasting and the emerging ease of online music streaming, a door has opened for Honens," said Stephen McHolm, Honens' Executive Director. "We will soon make hundreds of concerts from past Honens International Piano Competitions available for streaming, and share the incredible talents of Honens laureates through online broadcasts of their recordings and performances from around the world. We're thrilled that Joe will lead this charge."

Commenting on his new position, Fingerote said, "Honens is recognized for its creativity, imagination and integrity. My goal is to bring this important music institution to a much wider, global audience."

Honens is Canada's leading presenter of music for piano. Every year, Honens produces and supports more than 100 concert, education and outreach events in Calgary, across Canada and around the globe. The triennial Honens International Piano Competition is one of the world's great music competitions.

Joe Fingerote
Director, Recording and Online Development

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Joe Fingerote aspired to a career in music from an early age. He studied both piano and cello, completing a Bachelor of Music at the University of Manitoba. During his undergraduate studies, Fingerote found that his love of music was matched by his interest in audio and electronics. This discovery launched his career as a music producer and recording engineer. Still an undergraduate student, he joined the CBC Radio Music department in Winnipeg where he worked on live music recordings of all kinds, in addition to daily music programs. His first assignment was the classical music request show RSVP. Fingerote maintained his work at CBC while continuing his studies in music and sound, first at The Banff Centre, and later at McGill University. In 1999, while his work as a producer continued behind the scenes, he began hosting regional and national programs on CBC Radio 2. In 2005 Fingerote moved to Edmonton to take on the role of Executive Producer for CBC Radio Music in Alberta and led the Radio Music teams in Edmonton and Calgary as they launched several new programs for CBC Radio 2.

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Julie Wright
Honens
403 299 0130 x 138
jwright@honens.com
honens.com