KCET on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. will air a documentary about last year’s Parkening International Guitar Competition at Pepperdine University. Fifteen competitors from an elite international pool of guitarists took part in the prestigious three-day contest for cash awards that totaled $57,000. The program culminates with the final competition round, and three remaining competitors performing a concerto with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra under the baton of celebrated conductor Alondra de la Parra.
The Parkening competition began in 2006. It is named for renowned guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening, who is its artistic director and a distinguished professor of music at Pepperdine’s Seaver College.