Classical guitar contest scheduled

The first Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition, named after the L.A.-born classical guitarist, is scheduled to be held at Pepperdine University in Malibu from May 30 to June 2, 2006.

The top prize will include a cash award of $25,000, the largest for any such competition in the world.

“It has long been my vision for there to be a world-class guitar competition equal to the great piano and violin competitions,” Parkening, who is on the Pepperdine faculty, said in a statement.

The contest will be held every four years. The second- and third-place winners will receive $10,000 and $5,000, respectively.

The five judges will be chosen from a pool of guitarists, conductors, composers and arts management representatives. The deadline for applications is Feb. 13.