2008 SEMI-FINALISTS HAVE BEEN CHOSEN:

• Brandi Berry | Bloomington, Illinois
• Andrew Fouts | San Rafael, California
• Diana Lee-Plaines | Bayonne, France
• Marc Levine | Islip, New York
• Aisslinn Nosky | Toronto, Canada
• Johanna Novom | Cleveland Heights, Ohio

American Bach Soloists announce their Fifth
International Young Artists Competition
in Berkeley, June 2008

VIOLIN

American Bach Soloists announce the fifth Henry I. Goldberg International Young Artists Competition which will take place in June 2008 in conjunction with the 10th Biennial Berkeley Festival & Exhibition.

BACKGROUND
In 1998, in conjunction with the Fifth Biennial Berkeley Festival & Exhibition, the American Bach Soloists established the International Young Artists Competition as a way to foster emerging musicians who wish to pursue a career in early music. The competition has been recently named the American Bach Soloists & Henry I. Goldberg International Young Artists Competition, in memory of Dr. Henry I. Goldberg, who served as Board President for the ensemble from 2002 until September 2005. In addition, the First Prize is named in honor of Laurette Goldberg, a leading force in the Bay Area’s early music community for many years. To ensure the broadest scope in this endeavor, each of the three past competitions has focused on a different instrument, attracting musicians from around the globe. The first competition, in 1998, was for harpsichord. Violin took the spotlight in 2000, followed by flute and oboe in 2002. The competition was postponed in 2004. The 2006 competition was for vocalists, and we return to violinists for the 2008 competition.

OVERVIEW
The process begins with a call for recorded audition materials, which must include repertoire specifically selected for that year’s competition, as well as a resume, photo, and proof of birth date. A group of approximately six semi-finalists will be selected for the live competition in Berkeley, at which required repertoire is performed with members of American Bach Soloists before a panel of judges. All semi-finalists will receive travel stipends. Following the semi-finals, three finalists then compete (with full orchestral accompaniment) for the Laurette Goldberg Prize, which includes a $3,000 cash award and a featured appearance on an American Bach Soloists subscription concert the following season (for the 2008 winner, the appearance will take place during ABS’ 2009/2010 Season). Second- and Third-Place winners receive cash prizes of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.