Graff, Lanzarone & More Judge The José Iturbi International Music Competition 6/18-19

The José Iturbi International Music Competition awards over $100,000 in cash prizes includes two first place prizes of $10,000 in each category (one for a pianist and one for a singer). In addition to the traditional prizes awarded, there are two People's Choice prizes of $5,000, which are voted on during the final competition round by the "live" audience. This competition is one of the most prestigious, as it is only international music competition that awards cash prizes annually, while most competitions take place bi-annually or every few years.

The José Iturbi Foundation's competition is open to pianists and singers of any nationality who are 17 to 35 years old on June 1, 2010. The deadline for application submission was May 1, 2010 (www.joseiturbifoundation.org). Past winners and finalists the competition have hailed from Italy, Spain, Canada, Mexico, Japan, France, Austria, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Croatia, China, South Korea and the United States. Last year there were hundreds of applications submitted from contestants representing 39 countries, making this an international musical extravaganza.

Competition is fierce; past competitors and winners have concerticized all over the world. The level of talent is outstanding and the judges in competition look for contestants to have a full range vocally, including the ability to perform pieces from opera to Broadway and Cole Porter; and for pianists to perform works from J.S. Bach to Chopin, to Gershwin and beyond.

Join special guest Hanna Montana's Romi Dames, TV and Broadway Star Ilene Graff and Musical Director-husband Ben Lanzarone, as the José Iturbi International Music Competition awards over $100,000 in cash prizes. The 2010 Judges for the music competition Final Rounds taking place June 18th in Los Angeles at Schoenberg Hall are: David Pollack (Chairman), Jorge Mester, Lalo Schifrin, Mark Swed, and Ilana Vered. The judges for voice on June 19th are: Matthew Epstein (Chairman), David Daniels, Marilyn Horne, Peter Kazaras, Carol Vaness. The collaborator/accompanist for the final round of competition is Martin Katz.

WHEN: Friday night, June 18 at 7:00PM at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall - Voice Competition
Matthew Epstein, David Daniels, Marilyn Horne, Peter Kazaras and Carol Vaness

Saturday night, June 19 at 7:00PM at UCLA's Schoenberg Hall - Piano Comp
Daniel Pollack, Jorge Mester, Lalo Schifrin, Marc Swed and Ilana Vered
There will be Red Carpet Arrivals on Saturday.

TICKETS: All Seats $15 through UCLA ticket office 310-825-2101 or www.tickets.ucla.edu

The José Iturbi Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to continuing the legacy of concert great José Iturbi, to fulfill his desire of bringing to the public's attention today's greatest emerging classical pianists and vocalists. It is the mission of The José Iturbi Foundation to globally expand the passion for classical music through dynamic competition and compelling live performance. The foundation's goal is to provide a platform for young classical pianists and singers to debut their talent and for the foundation to launch their careers.

Photo Credit: BWW-Staff