Music Academy of the West to Host Concerto Competition Finals
For Immediate Release June 12, 2007
Contact:
Tim Dougherty
805.695.7908
Santa Barbara, CA- It's a talent competition like no other, featuring fiercely determined performers, independent-minded judges occasionally given to spirited debate, and a rapturously enthusiastic audience. Unlike a certain televised music showdown, however, the Music Academy of the West's Concerto Competition Finals features exceptionally talented classical musicians vying for the opportunity to perform concerti with the Academy Festival Orchestra at the Lobero Theatre.
This year's Concerto Competition Finals will take place Saturday, July 7, in Abravanel Hall on the Music Academy campus, 1070 Fairway Road in Santa Barbara. The all-day event will begin at 10 am. This year's judges are conductor Edwin Outwater, music director of the Kitchener Waterloo Symphony; Music Academy alumnus Carey Bell, principal clarinetist with the San Francisco Symphony; and violist Paul Coletti, a faculty member at UCLA and the Colburn School.
The Music Academy Concerto Competition begins with 55-60 Academy young artists auditioning for the opportunity to compete in the finals. Of the 20-25 who will compete on July 7, as many as five will be selected to perform with the Academy Festival Orchestra on Concerto Night. Featuring Mr. Outwater conducting the Academy Festival Orchestra, the latter event will take place at 8 pm Saturday, July 21, at the Lobero Theatre.
The Music Academy of the West will celebrate its 60th anniversary with an unprecedented 2007 season program featuring numerous classical music luminaries. The Academy will present more than 190 events over the course of this year's Summer School and Festival, which begins June 18 and concludes on August 11. Highlights will include a community concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl featuring conductor/composer John Williams and violinist Gil Shaham, an ambitious production of La Bohème, performances by baritone Thomas Hampson, violinist Gilles Apap, and the Takács Quartet, and conducting turns by Alexander Lazarev, David Robertson, and Jeffrey Tate.
For tickets and information, call 969-8787. Information is also available online at www.musicacademy.org.
Founded in 1947, the Music Academy of the West is among the nation's preeminent summer schools and festivals for gifted young classical musicians. The Academy provides these promising musicians with the opportunity for advanced study and performance under the guidance of internationally renowned faculty artists, as well as guest conductors and soloists. Admission to the Academy is strictly merit based, and students receive full scholarships. Academy alumni are members of major symphony orchestras, chamber orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, and university and conservatory faculties throughout the world. Many have established themselves as prominent solo artists. Based in Santa Barbara, the Music Academy of the West presents more than 175 public events annually, including performances by faculty, visiting artists, and students; masterclasses; orchestra and chamber music concerts; and fully staged opera. For more information, visit www.musicacademy.org.
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