MTSU Guitar Grad selected as semi-finalist in Parkening Int'l Guitar Competition

(Updated) MTSU Guitar Grad Silviu Ciulei has been selected as one of 5 finalists in the Parkening International Guitar Competition at Pepperdine University on May 28, through Saturday, May 30, 2009.

Silviu was awarded the $500 semi-finalist prize and the $1000 Fifth Prize. Silviu was the only college student presently attending in the United States to win a prize in this, the preeminent guitar competition in the world.

This competition has the largest cash awards of any classical guitar competition in the world. Over $65,000 in prize money, including the $30,000 First Prize. (The $30,000 1st Prize exceeds even that of the famous Van Cliburn piano competition).

After graduating from MTSU last spring, Silviu was awarded a Graduate Assistantship and a Dean's Fellowship last fall at Florida State University where he studies with Bruce Holzman, my old teacher.

Watch Silviu performing one of the required pieces for the competition on youtube.

(Pic of Silviu partying out on my boat)

Also, congrats to MTSU Guitar students Javier Castellote and Kip Minton for winning 2nd and 3rd Prize at the Beethoven Club Young Artist Competition in Memphis on 3/7. They earned $200 and $100 in Prize money.