From May 9-12, 2008, Amsterdam’s new
concert hall, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, will host the premiere of the
International Jewish Music Festival in its new format. The main event
of the festival will be a 3-day Competition for Jewish music ensembles.

For the first time ever, a jury of international Jewish music experts
will judge a competition for musicians and ensembles with a goal of
an international career focusing on Jewish music. This includes folk,
pop, klezmer, classical, and liturgical music, and music by Jewish
composers with clearly discernible Jewish elements.

Contestants are welcome from all countries and do not need to be
Jewish, but must be 16 years or older. Registration forms & more
information are now available online: www.ijmf.org

The jury will include leading figures from the music and recording
industry including Peter van der Heyden (Universal Music) and Frank
London (The Klezmatics). Besides prize money, the musicians will be
competing for the possibility of a professional recording contract.
That prize alone is already drawing a high level of contestants,
including professional bands and ensembles.

The Muziekgebouw’s 100-seat BAM Hall will house the competition’s
first rounds, and the 725-seat Main Hall will be the scene of the
Finale.

March 1, 2008 – Registration closes
Please take a minute to look at the IJMF website, www.ijmf.org.