Golden Note - IMF International Music Foundation For Highly Gifted Children
On Thursday, 21 November 2019, IMF Chairwoman Leona König invited the International Music Foundation (IMF - Verein zur Förderung musikalisch hochbegabter Kinder) to a press conference at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna. Together with KS Juan Diego Flórez and the support of ORF Director General Dr. Alexander Wrabetz, she was pleased to announce the numerous news about the "Golden Note" 2020.
For the year 2020, Leona König, IMF Chairwoman, Heart and Soul, succeeded in significantly increasing the promotion of highly talented young musicians both within Austria and internationally, thus supporting the education of young talents regardless of their origin. In addition to the annual prize money, the young finalists and the winner of the talent competition "Goldene Note" can expect invaluable stage presence in the future alongside established greats of classical music such as Valentina Nafornita, Lidia Baich and Hyung-ki Joo, appearances at the Cannes Film Festival and the Pannonian Forum Kittsee, and further musical training in the form of IMF Masterclasses.
Since 2016, the non-profit association for the promotion of musically gifted children (IMF - International Music Foundation for short) of Chairwoman Leona König has been promoting musical talents between the ages of five and sixteen - regardless of social and cultural origin - and organises, among other things, the gala concert "Golden Note", which will enter its fourth round on 19 June 2020 at the ORF Radiokulturhaus. Highly talented young musicians will be auditioned for the solo instruments violin, piano and cello by a top-class jury of experts consisting of Tamás Varga, solo cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic, Prof. Klaus Sticken, Music and Art Private University of the City of Vienna, Prof. Alma Sauer, University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, Ao. Regina Brandstätter, University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, Snezana Kis, Albrechtsberg Music School Klosterneuburg, and Natalie Baich, Music and Art Private University Vienna, who was selected from the most important music institutions in Austria.
IMF conducts age-appropriate master classes at the highest level and thus enables gifted children and young people to attend specific and individual lessons according to their needs and to learn from experienced, professional musicians. In addition to the "Golden Note Music Award", the IMF organises concerts and other events through which young talents can gain stage experience.
The projects of the IMF can be made possible by Leona König with the help of committed supporters. The International Music Foundation would like to thank the Liechtensteinische Landesbank, Chopard, the Kronen Zeitung, the Austrian Lotteries and the ORF as well as the esteemed sponsors Hotel Sacher, Steinway and Kattus.
This year, highly gifted children (piano, cello and violin) will again have the opportunity to apply for the audition via video from December 2019 to March 2020. A top-class jury under the head of the jury Tamás Varga, solo cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, will select 6 finalists on the day of the audition, which will take place at the MDW on 18 April 2020. As part of the gala concert "Golden Note", which will enter its fourth round on 19 June 2020 at the ORF Radiokulturhaus, the finalists will present themselves to the honorary committee with Valentina Nafornita, Lidia Baich and Hyung-ki Joo. The winners can look forward to a trophy provided by Chopard, musical training and age-appropriate master classes, prizes and concert appearances.
