Christian Choh, winner of the 2010 VMF student Jazz competition. Photo by James Lee Needham.

Ventura County, CA. – For the fifth year in a row, the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) will host a music competition for talented young jazz musicians. Open to middle and high school students throughout Southern California, the VMF Student Jazz Competition offers a rare opportunity for young musicians to showcase their talent and compete for the privilege of performing live on stage with a professional jazz artist during a live VMF concert.

Funded by the Ventura Music Festival’s Board of Directors, the three top contestants are awarded scholarships of $500, $250 and $100. The winning student musician is invited to perform with jazz legend Arturo Sandoval on Feb. 12, 2011 at his VMF concert at Seaside Park.

Students are encouraged to mail or email examples of their instrumental work to the Ventura Music Festival by Jan. 4, 2011. Five finalists will perform for a panel of judges and an open-to-the-public live concert competition on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 16th at Ventura’s Laurel Theater.

Last year’s competition winner was Christian Choh, a 17-year-old alto sax player from Agoura Hills.

All competitors receive discounted tickets to Arturo Sandoval’s 2011 Valentine’s Day weekend concert. In addition, the winner will be able to invite his or her entire Jazz Ensemble to the Sandoval Concert. For more information, call the Ventura Music Festival at: (805) 648-3416 or email: Brenda Yates: by@venturamusicfestival.org.

About the Ventura Music Festival
Founded in 1994, the Ventura Music Festival presents world renowned classical, jazz, and crossover musicians in various venues throughout Ventura and surrounding areas. Most of the venues have historical significance and provide warm and intimate settings for the world-class musical performances. Today, the festival stands as one of Ventura County’s signature events, attracting upwards of 10,000 concert-goers during 10 days in April and May, 2011.

For the 17th season, April 28 through May 7, 2011, the Ventura Music Festival welcomes jazz trumpeter, Chris Botti, Italian classical pianist, Roberto Prosseda, Grammy award-winning violinists, the Mark O’Connor String Quartet and Martina Filjak, winner of the 2009 Cleveland Piano Competition.

Each year, the Ventura Music Festival’s Education Outreach Program presents live performances, stories, and interaction to nearly 4,000 local students through “Music in the Schools” presented by Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta.

The Ventura Music Festival is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Information: (805) 648-3146 or www.venturamusicfestival.org