Cooper Violin Competition

The excitement has returned to Oberlin for the 8th annual Thomas and Evon Cooper International Competition for Piano and Violin. This is the year for the 13 – 18 year old violinists who will be moving into Oberlin today. After getting settled in and drawing for performance order the competitors will have Friday as a rehearsal day with the opening rounds in the semi finals beginning on Saturday at 1:30 in Warner Concert Hall with each performance lasting for 35 minutes.

Monday around 11:00 P.M. the 10 violinists moving on to the Concerto round will be announced. Tuesday at 11:00 P.M. the 6 recital finalists will be announced. Wednesday at 11:00 P.M. will be the announcement for the 3 finalists who will then get to perform with the Cleveland Orchestra on Friday at 7:30 P.M. at Severance Hall  in Cleveland.

The grand winner will be announced around 11:00 P.M. at Severance. Each young musician will perform from 30 – 45 minutes depending on the round and that is without music. Wow! Such talent! And to think that anyone, if  you live close or are just visiting, can go to Warner Concert Hall at Oberlin College and watch these young people perform for FREE!

So take some time during the next week to come to Oberlin and listen to the music, feel the music, enjoy the music! You will be glad you did. And check our website if you want to stay overnight. We still have some rooms available. Make it a little mini vacay. Hear the violins for FREE, watch a play performance at the Theater Festival for FREE, visit the Art Museum for FREE, tour the Heritage Center for FREE. That should fill up a couple of days. Hope to see you soon!

And a shout out to Maya Buchanan who stayed with us two years ago.  Good luck! Play strong! See you at Warner!