The 2011 Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition is set to take place at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music from August 11 to 19. Last year’s inaugural event was for pianists; this year’s competition, presented by Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Cleveland Orchestra and directed by Oberlin Professor of Violin Gregory Fulkerson, is for violinists. Twenty-four young violinists will compete for a top prize of $10,000 and concert engagements with orchestras in Beijing and Shanghai, China. The competition will also award a second prize of $6,000, third prize of $3,000, with fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-place winners receiving prizes of $1,000 each. Musicians will also vie for three full scholarships to Oberlin Conservatory of Music, pending admission. Jahja Ling will conduct the Cleveland Orchestra at in Severance Hall for the final round of the competition on August 19 at 8 p.m.; the event will also be broadcast live on WCLV. A complete competition schedule is available at http://www.oberlin.edu/cooper.
Posted July 29, 2011