Violinist Ray Chen and the Los Angeles
Philharmonic Announce “Play with Ray” Competition
at the Hollywood Bowl

 Winner will Perform Bach’s Double Violin Concerto with the
Los Angeles Philharmonic and Ray Chen

Competition: March 22 – May 1, 2019

Los Angeles (March 22, 2019) – World-renowned violinist Ray Chen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic have announced the “Play with Ray” competition. The international skills-based talent search aims to find a violinist to perform Bach’s Double Concerto with Ray and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by Ben Gernon, at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, Thursday, August 8, 2019.

The idea for “Play with Ray” is one the recently turned 30-year-old has dreamed of for years.

“I want to provide people around the world a fun, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Chen. “People who have a dream to perform on stage, this project is for you. I couldn’t think of a better partnership to help realize everyone's passion for music than the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl.” 

Entrants can play alongside a video of Ray and the orchestra from the comfort of their own living room, then record and submit along with an essay. The top three finalists will be flown to Los Angeles to play violin with Ray in person on rare violins provided by Tarisio, the leading international establishment of fine instruments and bows. The finalists will also attend masterclasses and concerts in the days leading up to the concert. The grand-prize winner will join Ray and the LA Phil on stage at the Hollywood Bowl, performing the first movement of Bach’s Double Violin Concerto at the nearly-18,000-seat venue. The concert will be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Entry is open to non-professional violinists of all ages and is free.

For further information and to submit an application, please visit hollywoodbowl.com/playwithray. 

About Ray Chen
Ray Chen is a violinist who redefines what it is to be a classical musician in the 21st century. With a media presence reaching millions, Ray Chen’s remarkable musicianship transmits to a global audience that is reflected in his engagements with the foremost orchestras and concert halls around the world.

About the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
The LA Phil, under the vibrant leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, presents an inspiring array of music from all genres – orchestral, chamber and Baroque music, organ and celebrity recitals, new music, jazz, world music, and pop – at two of L.A.’s iconic venues, Walt Disney Concert Hall (laphil.com) and the Hollywood Bowl (hollywoodbowl.com). The LA Phil’s season at Walt Disney Concert Hall extends from September through May and throughout the summer at the Hollywood Bowl. With the preeminent Los Angeles Philharmonic at the foundation of its offerings, the LA Phil aims to enrich and transform lives through music, with a robust mix of artistic, education, and community programs.

Hollywood Bowl
One of the largest natural amphitheaters in the world, with a seating capacity of nearly 18,000, the Hollywood Bowl has been the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic since its official opening in 1922 and plays host to the finest artists from all genres of music, offering something for everyone. It remains one of the best deals anywhere in Los Angeles; to this day, $1 buys a seat at the top of the Bowl for many classical and jazz performances. In February 2018, the Hollywood Bowl was named Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue for the 14th year in a row at the 29th Annual Pollstar Awards and in November 2018 was awarded the Top Amphitheater prize at the 2018 Billboard Live Music Awards for the second consecutive year. For millions of music lovers across Southern California, the Hollywood Bowl is synonymous with summer. hollywoodbowl.com