12 VIOLIN FINALISTS INCLUDE 2 AMERICANS

Two Americans--including Californian Frank Almond--and all five Soviet entrants were among the 12 contestants chosen for the final round of the violin section contest at the International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Americans David Kim, 23, from Carbondale, Ill., and Almond, 22, from San Diego, on Tuesday advanced to the third round, where contestants perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto and one concerto by another composer.