Klein Competition Partners With San Francisco Chamber Orchestra

Beginning in the 2024/25 season, the partnership will combine both organization’s goals of supporting emerging musicians

Continuing its many decades of supporting emerging artists, the Irving M. Klein International String Competition and the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra (SFCO) have formed a new partnership to increase opportunities for the next generation of musicians.

The arrangement will involve a series of concerts in April 2025 during SFCO’s 2024/25 season, when the first-place winner of the 2024 Klein Competition will feature as a soloist with the orchestra. 

“We are thrilled to partner with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra to showcase the incredible talent cultivated by the Klein Competition,” said the competition’s artistic director, Mitchell Sardou Klein in the press release. “This collaboration not only honors our shared commitment to musical excellence but also provides a platform for young artists to shine on a professional stage with a world-class ensemble.”

“As an organization deeply rooted in the Bay Area's musical community, we are delighted to collaborate with the Klein Competition in celebrating the next generation of musical talent,” added SFCO’s principal conductor Jory Fankuchen. “We look forward to welcoming the 2024 competition’s winner as a featured soloist in our April concerts.”

The live finals of the 2024 Klein Competition will begin at 3 PM PT on June 2 and will stream live here on The Violin Channel. 

The Klein International String Competition is open to musicians aged 15 to 23. Its past winners have included VC Artists Nikki Chooi, Tessa Lark, and Zlatomir Fung — as well as Vadim Gluzman, Frank Huang, Oliver Herbert, Jennifer Koh, Mark Kosower, and Teng Li.

Founded in 1953 the SFCO comprises acclaimed musicians in the Bay Area. The ensemble’s full season of over 36 performances is admission-free, and presents classical, contemporary, and commissioned works to all audiences.