JESSICA ONI
Staff Writer
There are those who indulge in the personal benefits of success, and then there is Christopher Parkening. A widely successful classical guitarist, Parkening was offered teaching opportunities at more than one university before he decided to start the classical guitar program at Pepperdine in the fall of 2002.
“It was the mission statement at Pepperdine that so greatly impressed me,” he said. “Pepperdine University, like myself, values the pursuit of art.”
When he came to the Seaver Campus four years ago, Parkening shared his vision to start a world-class guitar competition unlike any other. This summer, his dream will finally be realized as the first Parkening International Guitar Competition is launched.
All applicants to the competition were required to submit a 30-minute unedited DVD or VHS on which they performed Bach’s “Chaconne” from the “Violin Partita No. 2,” Agustín Barrios Mangoré’s “La Cathedral” and a free-choice selection.
They were also required to be under the age of 30. Sophomore Damjan Rokonjac, was one of more than 80 applicants who auditioned for the competition.
“I wasn’t gonna even go for it because of the really difficult requirements,” he said. “But my friends told me to go for it.”
Though Rokonjac was not one of the final 15 competitors chosen, he said he doesn’t regret auditioning.
“I didn’t feel as much pressure because I’m a young student,” he said. “It was understandable.”
Rokonjac, who takes private lessons with Parkening, spoke highly of his teacher.
“The very first concert I ever saw was him,” he said. “He’s a warm person even when he criticizes. He’ll say something nice and then say fix this.”
According to Parkening, the competition stands out from others like it for two main reasons. First, the prize money totals $50,000, which is more than any other classical guitar competition worldwide. Second, the judges are world-class, successful in the music industry.
The panel of judges consists of classical guitarist Eliot Fisk, independent record producer Thomas Frost, cellist/conductor Lynn Harrell, Song BMG Masterworks President Gilbert Hetherwick and Miryam Yardumian, daughter of American composer Richard Yarumian.
The judges, according to Parkening, will be looking for four elements in the performance: musicianship, sound, technique and stage presence. Parkening said he elected these four categories based on the example set by his idol and former instructor, the world-renowned Andres Segovia. Parkening described Segovia’s influence on the popularity of classical guitar saying, “never before had guitar been played at the concert halls of the world.”
The competition’s prize purse consists of a grand prize of $25,000 sponsored by Dorothy Stotsenberg, as well as a performance tour of recitals and concerts with an orchestra. There will also be a $10,000 award for second place and a $5,000 gift for the bronze medalist. $1,000 gifts will be awarded to the fourth and fifth place finalists, and the remaining 10 competitors will be given $500 a piece.
Parkening said he sees it as his duty to help give young guitarists a push into the professional world.
“I feel the responsibility at this time in my life to pass on what I’ve learned in concretizing,” he said. “This competition could very likely launch the career of a young artist.”
Senior Jonathan Roth, one of only three Pepperdine students studying under Parkening did not audition for the event.
“The Parkening competition seemed like a lofty goal,” he said. “I was focusing on the Bernstein concert and my senior recital.”
Like Rokonjac, Roth came to Pepperdine specifically to study under Parkening.
“I had seen him in concert twice before I came here,” he said. “But I didn’t realize how great and accomplished he was before I got here. I’m pretty blessed.”
The large amount of applicants to the competition came as no surprise to Parkening.
“I somewhat expected it because of the fact that it’s the largest cash prize of any competition in the world,” he said. “And they’re competing at the magnificent oceanside campus of Pepperdine University.”
The job of the judges will be a difficult one, as the competitors are all very accomplished guitarists. The judging, however, will not be based on past achievements.
“They’re looking for soul, feeling and passion,” he said. “Ultimately, the most important category is the one left undefined; the summation of all the parts. I’ve encouraged the judges to listen with their hearts.”
Though he will not take part in the competition, Roth said he is not surprised that Parkening’s desire to hold such a competition is finally going to materialize.
“It’s always been his dream,” he said.
The Parkening International Guitar Competition will take place Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2 in Smothers Theatre. The Parkening Young Guitarist Competition, which welcomes 11 competitors all under age 18, will be held prior to Tuesday’s competition.
“In our technical world, art is an essential element which must not be left out of the education process,” he said. “For me, the guitar is a vehicle by which I hope to bring glory to God. Motivation for playing music with excellence is what I hope to pass on to the next generation.”
04-13-2006
