Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC 53^rd ANNUAL YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION SELECTS WINNERS

Evansville, Indiana - On Sunday, January 31, 2009, a panel of judges appointed by the Evansville Philharmonic selected winners for the orchestra's 53^rd Annual Young Artist Competition held at the Victory Theatre in downtown Evansville.   Talented instrumental musicians from the Tri-State area in grades 6-12 competed for cash prizes and performance opportunities with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. The top three prizes were awarded to the following:

The GRAND PRIZE was awarded to Will Sievern of Evansville, Indiana.  Will's powerful performance of the third movement (Rondo-Allegro non troppo) of Brahms' Concerto No. 1 in D minor for piano won him a $1,000 cash prize and the opportunity to perform with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra on their upcoming Young People's Concerts in March.  Will Sievern is the son of Luann and Bill Sievern and is a junior at Memorial High School in Evansville, IN.

The second place prize, or CONDUCTOR'S AWARD, went to flutist Charlotte Roth of Chandler, IN.  Ms. Roth's lyrical performance of Charles Griffes' Poem for Flute and Orchestra won her a $600 cash prize and a performance with the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra on their upcoming Spring Concert on Saturday, May 16^th.  Charlotte is the daughter of Rita and Tom Roth and is a junior at the Signature School in Evansville, IN.

The third place prize, or ORCHESTRA AWARD, went to pianist Julia Kim of Evansville, IN.  Julia performed the first movement of the Concerto No. 4 in F Major, K. 459 by W.A. Mozart.  Her spirited rendition won her a $300 cash prize.  Julia is the daughter of Il Jin and Ji Kim and is a junior at the Signature School in Evansville, IN.

HONORABLE MENTIONS include pianists Guanchen Liu of Newburgh, IN and Joshua Kight of Evansville, IN.  Guanchen attends the Signature School as a sophomore.   Seventeen-year-old Joshua is a home school student.

The Young Artist Competition is designed to promote, encourage, and nurture exceptional young talent.  The Young Artists Competition is funded in part by the Musicians Club of Evansville/Margaret B. & Leo E. Heim Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For more information about the Young Artist Competition, or to explore opportunities to support the event, please contact the Evansville Philharmonic Education Department at 821/425-5050, ext. 316.

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