A 3rd Year for "Classical Idol" Music Competition!

Annual José Iturbi International Music Competition at UCLA June 15-20 Offers Pianists and Singers More Than $250,000 in Prizes
Application Deadline Is April 15, 2009

LOS ANGELES, CA - The Third Annual José Iturbi International Music Competition, which awards the largest cash prizes (more than $250,000) of any classical piano and singing competition worldwide, will take place June 15 - 20 at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall in Los Angeles. Applications for pianists and singers to compete in the week-long competition that adds features of "American Idol" to the world of classical music may be completed and submitted online at www.joseiturbifoundation.org. April 15, 2009 is the application deadline.

The José Iturbi Foundation's competition is open to pianists and singers of any nationality who are 17 to 32 years old on June 1, 2009. Last year, there were applicants from 37 countries. Admission to the preliminary round of the competition will be limited to a maximum of 24 applicants in each category. 12 pianists and 12 singers will advance to the semi-final round and six singers and six pianists will compete in the final round. The competition's 10 world renowned judges will be announced shortly.

The schedule for the competition is as follows:


June 14 Registration and Orientation at The Beverly Hilton

June 15 and 16 Preliminary Rounds for 24 pianists and 24 singers
Semi-Finalists announced

June 17 and 18 Semi-Final Rounds for 12 pianists and 12 singers
Finalists announced

June 19 Final Round for 6 singers followed by Awards Ceremony

June 20 Final Round for 6 pianists followed by Awards Ceremony

The competition's $250,000 in cash prizes include first place prizes of $50,000 in each category. There will be two People's Choice prizes (one for a pianist and one for a singer) of $3,000 voted "live" by attendees of the final competition round.

Last year's First Place prize winners, Mariya Kim (from the Ukraine) and Angela Meade (USA), will present Cunard Command Performances(TM) aboard Queen Mary 2 during the April 26, 2009, Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton, England. To make reservations on the April 26, 2009 Queen Mary 2 Crossing, contact your travel professional, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go online to www.cunard.com.

"It's clear that there is a huge audience for outstanding classical music as evidenced by the overwhelming response to the first two José Iturbi International Music Competitions," said Donelle Dadigan, President of the José Iturbi Foundation. "The talent of last year's participants blew everyone away! Just call us 'Classical Idol.' Especially inspiring was the tremendous camaraderie among the participants that was evident throughout the week-long contest."

For rules and regulations on The José Iturbi International Music Competition 2009 or to submit an application, go to www.joseiturbifoundation.org.