PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release

KOBE INTERNATIONAL FLUTE COMPETITION ANNOUNCESAPPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR ITS 10TH EDITION
Kobe, Hyogo Japan (August 5, 2020)— Kobe International Flute Competition (KIFC) announces
application guidelines for its 10th edition, taking place August 26 through September 5, 2021, inKobe, Hyogo Japan.
Committed to act as a stepping stone to success for young talented flutists since its inception in 1985,
the KIFC is highly valued as a competition that produces many flutists currently at the forefront ofinternational stages. Celebrating a milestone with its 10th edition, the KIFC brings back its fivelaureates who have become internationally well-respected flutists and professors—Petri Alanko,Sarah Louvion, Ayako Takagi, Arife Gülşen Tatu, and Henrik Wiese—as jury members,
demonstrating the KIFC’s growth and contribution to the field of music.
KIFC’s chairperson of the management committee Hiroaki Kanda said: In the light of current
uncertainty brought about by the novel coronavirus pandemic, I hope that, by announcing theapplication guidelines today, young talented flutists around the world will set this competition astheir next goal, and that their wonderful performances demonstrated as fruits of their hard work
would lead to a bright future that enriches the heart of audiences.
Backgrounder Attached.

***About KIFC
Established in 1985 and held every four years, the Kobe International Flute Competition (KIFC) is committed
to providing young promising flutists from around the world the opportunity to launch an international career
while enhancing international cultural exchanges and friendships through music. In addition, the KIFC aims
to promote cultural enrichment of our community in Kobe through music. The KIFC is one of the rarecompetitions in the world dedicated solely to flute, becoming the first Japanese member of the World
Federation of International Music Competitions in 1987.
For information about the KIFC, visit kobe-flute.jp/en/

Contact:
Secretariat for the Management Committee of the Kobe International Flute Competition
c/o Kobe Cultural Foundation
kifc@kobe-bunka.jp+81 (0)78 351 3597###

BACKGROUNDER
10TH KOBE INTERNATIONAL FLUTE COMPETITION
Beginning of Its New Chapter
After three decades since its inception, the KIFC was on the verge of suspending its 9th edition(2017) due to the Kobe City Government’s decision to eliminate public funding to the KIFC; theCity’s concerns were its high dependence on the public funding and its low recognition among Kobecitizens. Yet, with great supports from Kobe citizens and admirers of music all over the world, theKIFC overcame challenges and made its 9th edition great success, making its turning point.
With the experiences the KIFC gained during those challenging years, it is keen to further contributeto the promotion of music culture, international friendship, and Kobe’s prosperity by aiming highand coping with changing times. And, its 10th edition will set a new starting point for the KIFC’sfuture.

DATES
Thursday, August 26, through Sunday, September 5, 2021
1st Round
August 26 (Thu) – August 28 (Sat)
2nd Round August 30 (Mon) – August 31 (Tue)
3rd Round September 2 (Thu)
Final Round September 4 (Sat)Awards Ceremony & Exhibition Concert September 5 (Sun)*Depending on the situation of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the dates above will be subject to change.

VENUES
Kobe Bunka Hall - First Round through Final RoundPortpia Hall - Awards Ceremony & Exhibition Concert:
ORGANIZERSManagement Committee of the Kobe International Flute Competition, Kobe City Government,
Kobe Cultural Foundation, Japan Federation of Musicians, Japan Flutists Association
STRUCTURE OF THE COMPETITION
The Competition consists of four rounds: the First, Second, Third, and Final Rounds.
Approximately fifty contestants who passed the Preliminary Screening based on the submitted
recording and document will participate in the Competition. The order in which contestants
perform will be determined by drawing lots for each round. All performances will be open to thepublic.

-cont.-JURYSAKAI Hideaki [Chairperson]
Japan Flutists Assoc., Vice-Chairman; Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, visiting Prof. / Japan

Petri ALANKO*
Sibelius Academy, Lecturer / Finland

Renate GREISS-ARMIN
University of Music Karlsruhe, Former Professor / Germany

KANDA Hiroaki
NHK Symphony Orchestra, Principal; Professor, Toho Gakuen School of Music / JapanLEE Soyoung
Seoul Performing Arts High School, Instructor / Republic of Korea

Sarah LOUVION*
Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra, Principal / France

TAKAGI Ayako*
Tokyo University of the Arts, Assoc. Professor / Japan

Arife Gülşen TATU*
Trossingen University of Music, Former Professor / Turkey

Henrik WIESE*
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Principal / Germany* Laureates of the KIFC

PRIZES
1st prize
2nd prize
3rd prize
4th-6th prizes

JPY2,000,000
JPY1,000,000
JPY500,000
JPY200,000*Special prizes may be awarded apart from those mentioned above.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to flutists of all nationalities born between 1988 and 2005.
(between the ages of 15 to 32 as of December 31, 2020)
APPLICATION PERIOD
Thursday, October 1, 2020 through Monday, February 1, 2021
COMPLETE RULES AND CONDITIONS
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