International Russian Rotary Children Music Competition

The International Russian Rotary Children Music Competition is one of the leading events in cultural life of Russian youth. In 2007 the finals of the greatest European music competition for children 8 to 12 years old was held in Moscow, in the concert hall of the Central Music School of the State Tchaikovsky Conservatory on March 26, 2007.In 2008 the finals will be held at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory March 16.

This competition was initiated by Rotary Club Moscow International [http://www.rc-mi.org] in 2002 and in just 5 years it is giving an important chance to young, talented musicians to become known and to make a serious step in their development as artists. The best European music schools and Rotary Clubs from 24 countries and more than 72 cities, from Vladivostok in the east to Saint Lois Potosi (Mexico) in the west, from Stord (Norway) in the north to Kfar Saba (Israel) in the south, have already participated in Rotary music competitions and nominated especially talented children who play violin, cello, piano and wind instruments.

In 2007 the international jury was headed by People's Artist of the USSR, Professor of Moscow Conservatory, soloist of Moscow Philarmony, Art Director and Conductor of Chamber Orchestra Moskovia Eduard Grach. Rotary Club Moscow International gave prizes and diplomas to 7 finalists: the first prize of 75,000 rubles was received by a talented violinist from Korolev, Alexandra Lee (11 years), the second prize of 45,000 rubles was received by a pianist from Moscow, Vsevolod Brigida (9 years), and the 3rd prize of 30,000 rubles went to Christina Toroshchina from Krasnogorsk. 5 participants who did not reach the finals were awarded special scholarships of 14,000 rubles by Rotary Club Moscow International. In 2008 the organizing committee has elected as chairman of the jury the national artist of Russia and chief conductor of the Moscow State Philharmonic Orchestra Pavel Kogan.

"Russia was always famous for its musical talents. We consider it our task to support remarkable and talented young musicians in order to make music education more prestigious and to attract the interest of Russian and foreign companies to financing of music education in Russia by paying of grants" – said Josef Marous, Chairman of Organizing Committee, Chief Representative of ThyssenKrupp AG in RF.

This musical competition is supported by many ambassadors in Moscow. Leading Russian and foreign companies and individuals, as well as famous Russian musicians Vladimir Spivakov, Yuri Bashmet and Natalia Gutman, who was the Chairman of the 3rd Musical Competition, which took place in the Residence of the Ambassador of France in Moscow.

Advisory Board

The advisory Board is composed of the following prominent music experts and businessmen:

Amirov Shaukat, rector of Musorgsky Ural State Conservatory, National Artist of Russia, Professor

Grach Eduard, National artist of the USSR, Professor of Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, soloist of Moscow Philharmonic Society, Art Director and conductor of chamber orchestra “Moskovia”

Khokhlov Mikhail, Director of Gnesin music school, honored worker of arts in RF, Honored Artist of Russia

Spivakov Vladimir, National artist of the USSR, Conductor of the Orchestra “Moscow Virtuosi”

Yakupov Alexander, Director of music school by Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Art Director of opera-house of Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory, member of the International Academy of Informatization, honored worker of arts in RF, Doctor of fine art, Professor.

Tsarev Mikhail, Professor, Partner KPMG

This competition is member of the European Union of Music Competitions for Youth, which highlights the very high status of the competition. Many children who have won the competition or participated in the finals have become well known to the public. The winner of the 2nd competition in 2003, Anna Denisova, played a year later in Holland at a concert attended by President Putin and the Prime Minister of Netherlands.

Elena Ilinskaya, 3rd place in 2003, was playing for living in the Moscow Metro and underground passages before receiving a long term scholarship from RC Moscow International. About her destiny before and after receiving the scholarship Russian television made a film shown in the program “Faith, Hope and Love”.

Most children and finalists from previous competitions are from poor or needy families, which is not surprising. You must not only have great talent but must work very hard to arrive at the finals of the most prestigious musical competition in this age category in Europe.

External links

* [http://www.rcmc-moscow.com The official site of the Competition]