2011 Fulbright Concerto Competition Semi-Finalists

Jura Margulis, creator and artistic director of the Fulbright Concerto Competition, announced today the selection of the 12 young pianists from America, Russia, Germany, France, China, Korea and Australia who will compete in Fayetteville on May 19-22 in the second Fulbright Concerto Competition at the Walton Arts Center.

The first Fulbright Concerto Competition was held in Fayetteville in 2007 and brought some of the best talent from around the world to compete in what has quickly become an internationally renowned and respected piano competition. “The response this year was extraordinary,” said Margulis. “We received 149 applications from artists representing 38 countries,” he adde.

Applicants must be between 16 and 30 years of age as of May 19, 2011.

Margulis, the McAllister Professor of Piano at the University of Arkansas, is no stranger competitions, as he has won prizes in a dozen international competitions himself and has been a judge in international competitions in the United States and Europe for many years. He is truly a “pianist’s pianist,” when it comes to structuring a competition, as the concerto competition allows contestants to freely choose their own solo program and provides accommodations through host families as well as travel money.

The Walton Arts Center’s Starr Theater will be the scene as the 12 semi-finalists perform solo recitals, up to 60 minutes in length, on May 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Admission is free. From the 12 semi-finalists, a top-level international jury selects three finalists who will be announced at a private evening reception on the May 20. The three finalists go on to perform three concerti with the Artosphere Festival Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor David Hayes on the May 22 at 5 p.m. at the Baum Walker Hall at the WAC. The audience will be participating in the selection of the winner by voting for a favorite to receive an Audience Prize.

The winners of the competition will be announced from the stage in a closing ceremony following the finalists’ performances.

First Prize is $5,000; 2nd Prize is $3,000; 3rd prize is $1,000; Audience Prize is $1,000. The nine semi-finalists who don’t make it to the finals will receive a $350 honorarium. The winner of the competition will be invited to a tour of eight cities including New York and Los Angeles in the United States and Berlin and London in Europe for piano recitals in collaboration with Steinway & Sons. All semi-finalists will meet on Saturday, May 21, with a professional artist manager for a personal career consultation.

The distinguished panel of jurors for the Fulbright Concerto Competition in 2011 are Robert McDonald, Boris Berman and Nelita True. Andreas Vierziger, an artist manager from Vienna, Austria, will be an advisor to the jury. Jura Margulis will serve as the non-voting jury chair with the authority to break a potential tie.

The 12 Fulbright Concerto Competition semi-finalists:

• Arthur Ancelle, France
• Christopher Falzone, USA
• Vladimir Khomiakov, Russia
• Sun-A Park, Korea
• Anna Bulkina, Turkmenistan
• Yunjie Chen, China
• Aura Go, Australia
• Mateusz Moleda, Germany
• Jiayan Sun, China
• Oxana Shevchenko, Russia
• Anastasya Terenkova, Russia
• Yoonjung Han, Korea

Sponsors of the 2011 Fulbright Concerto Competition include Walton Arts Center, University of Arkansas, KUAF, Steinway & Sons, Bordino’s, and Common Grounds. Official Website of the FCC: http://www.fulbrightconcertocompetition.org

For ticket information, call the Walton Arts Center ticket office at 479-443-5600. The Walton Arts Center is at 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville.