2006 Parkening International Guitar Competition

15 competitors from around the world have been selected for the 2006 Parkening International Guitar Competition, one of the world's preeminent classical guitar competitions featuring the largest prize purse (cash awards in excess of $50,000 USD). The event takes place Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2, 2006, on the Pepperdine University campus in Malibu, California.

The competitors are:

-- Michael Bautista, 27, Cupertino, California;

-- Robert Belinic, 24, Popovaca, Croatia;

-- Petrit Ceku, 20, Zagreb, Croatia;

-- Andras Csaki, 24, Budapest, Hungary;

-- João Paulo Figueiroa, 26, Tallahasse, Florida (Brazil);

-- Christian Haimel, 25, Linz, Austria;

-- Fan-Chen Huang, 22, Los Angeles, Californai (Taiwanese-American);

-- Samuel Klemke, 27, Weimar, Germany;

-- Goran Krivokapic, 27, Koln, Germany (Montenegro);

-- Roberto Moron Perez, 26, Madrid, Spain;

-- Pablo Sainz Villegas, 28, Logrono, Spain;

-- Marco Sartor, 27, Charleston, South Carolina (Uruguay);

-- Jorgen Skogmo, 23, Skogn, Norway;

-- Andrew Stroud, 25, Safety Harbor, Florida (UK-US Citizen);

-- Edward Trybek, 24, Pasadena, California.

The first full day of competition begins on May 31. Five semi- finalists will be chosen for the second day of competition. On the third and final day, three finalists will perform a concerto with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Required repertoire for the Parkening is demanding and finalists are judged on musicianship, tone, technique, and stage presence.

The Parkening International Guitar Competition honors classical guitarist Christopher Parkening's lifetime commitment to fostering musical excellence in young artists as demonstrated by his mentor, the great Spanish guitarist Andres Segovia. Parkening's concerts and recordings have received the highest acclaim worldwide for more than three decades. With his rare combination of dramatic virtuosity, eloquent musicianship and beautiful sound, Parkening is recognized as Segovia's heir. Parkening currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Music at Pepperdine University.

Pepperdine University is an independent, medium-sized university, enrolling approximately 8,300 students in five colleges and graduate schools. Courses are taught at the main Malibu campus, at six graduate campuses in Southern California, and at international campuses in Germany, England, Italy, and Argentina.

Religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine University is committed to the highest standards of academic excellence and Christian values, where students are strengthened for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

For more information visit the competition website.