Young Artists Competition (YAC)

The Westmoreland Symphony announces the winners of the 2010 Young Artists Competition (YAC). Now in its 9th year, the YAC is open to all instrumental and vocal students up to and including seniors in high school who are legal residents of Westmoreland County or who are taking their private lessons in Westmoreland County.

Level I – up to Grade 9

Piano

McKenna Barney (Venetia) – student of Jacqueline Herbein (Export) – 1st place

Mary Mammone (Jeannette) – student of John Kulik – 3rd place

Olivia Syphan (Greensburg) – student of David Volker – 2nd place

Instrumental

Alexandra Heinimann (New Alexandria), flute – student of Michele Boulet  - Honorable Mention

Tara Lee (Murrysville), violin – student of MaryBeth Schotting  - 1st place, overall winner

Janine Schomer (Greensburg), violin – student of Nancy Podey – 3rd place

RhoEun Song (Export), flute – student of David Graham – 2nd place

                         

Level II – Grades 10-12

Piano

Theodora Chu (Export) – student of Tatyana Gelman – 2nd place

Jeanne Ding (Murrysville) – student of Jacqueline Herbein (Export) – 1st place

Voice

Caroline Niezelski (Latrobe) – student of Cindy Baltzer – 1st place

Instrumental

Cassidy Deutsch (Youngwood), clarinet – student of Natalie Williams – Honorable Mention

Julia Luczkow (Murrysville), violin - student of Nancy Podey – 2nd place

Madison Grapes (Irwin), violin – student of Nancy Podey – 1st place

Location and Dates

The YAC site is Seton Hill University's Performing Arts Center for the live auditions and the Winners' Recital. The deadline for entry was January 15, 2010. Live auditions were held on February 14, 2010, beginning at 11:30 am. The Winners and Honorable Mention recipients were presented in recital on February 21, 2010, at 7 pm.

Entry Fee

$10 for preliminary taped audition; $15 for the final live audition if contestant is accepted for final round.

Prizes

Performance in the Winners’ Recital as determined by a panel of professional musicians. Finalists given an Honorable Mention by the judges will be asked to perform in the recital.

Pending our success in identifying a new corporate sponsor, cash prizes may be awarded.

Categories

Level I Up to Grade 9 Piano - Instrumental - Voice (up to 10 minutes performance time)

Level II Grades 10-12 Piano - Instrumental - Voice (up to 15 minutes performance time)

Contestants may only win the top prize once per level (i.e., a 1st prize winner at Level I may not enter at Level I again unless he/she applies on another instrument). Prizes may or may not be given in each of the six categories, at judges’ discretion.

Applications

Registration Form: Registration PDF

Guidelines

YAC Guidelines: Guidelines PDF

Applicants must perform a minimum of two contrasting pieces from classical repertoire. Vocalists may include one non-classical selection along with a minimum of two or more classical pieces.

Performing from memory is required for pianists and singers and encouraged for instrumentalists.

Contestants choosing to perform accompanied works must provide their own accompanist. If chosen to perform, winner must use the same accompanist for live audition and recital.

Contestants should highlight both lyricism and facility in their programs. Contrasting style periods must be represented.

Audition tape/CD (no videos allowed) may include music other than that which applicant plans to perform in the live audition. Please submit only 10 minutes of music per entry (judges may disqualify longer tapes/CDs). We simply need to hear whether a student will be competitive at his/her level. Tapes/CDs must be received by the WSO office no later than January 15, 2010.

For information:

Contact the Symphony Office for more info about the Young Artists Competition and application: 724-837-1850 or micheleboulet@hotmail.com Watch this space for more information.