Breaking: Philly cracks 5-year deal with Beijing

The Philadelphia Orchestra has done a five-year deal with the China Conservatory of Music to accompany the now-annual China International Music Competition.

In the next contest, held in Beijing next May, 24 violinists from around the world, aged 16 and 28, will contest a first prize worth US$150,000, with second and third prizes of US$75,000 and US$30,000.

The inaugural Competition this year, won by Canadian pianist Tony Siqi Yun, had Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Phillies in the final.

In the years to come, players from the Orchestra will also be involved in coaching, master classes, and joint music-making opportunities with the students and faculty of the China Conservatory of Music.