PSO's Cardenes judges contest

Pittsburgh Symphony concertmaster Andres Cardenes is a judge in the inaugural Stradivarius International Violin Competition in Salt Lake City, Utah, this week. First prize is $10,000 and a solo engagement with the Utah Symphony during the summer of 2008.

Local choir in Oregon

Young Pittsburgh voices will soon be heard in Eugene, Ore. The Bel Canto Singers, one of the three choirs of the Children's Festival Chorus of Pittsburgh, will participate in the 10th Pacific International Children's Choir Festival there from June 27 to July 3.

The Children's Festival Chorus is one of just nine choirs around the nation and world that were selected for the festival. They'll participate in a week of rehearsals and workshops that will culminate in a gala concert premiere of a work by Paul Halley for choir and orchestra, commissioned by the festival in honor of its 10th season.

-- Michael Birnbaum