Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra

February 18, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT

Barbara Josenhans

Alice May Director of Education & Community Programs

Office: 812/425-5050 ext. 316

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC 54^th  ANNUAL YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION SELECTS WINNERS

Evansville, Indiana - On Sunday, January 31, 2010, a panel of judges appointed by the Evansville Philharmonic selected winners for the orchestra's 54^th  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 Joshua  Kight of Evansville, Indiana.  Joshua's compelling performance of the first movement of Khatchaturian's Concerto 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 on March 17, 18, and 19.  Joshua Kight is the son of Kris and Cheryl Kight and is a homeschooled senior in high school.  He studies piano with Phyllis Mason Niednagel.  Mr. Kight was an Honorable Mention recipient in 2009.

The second place prize, or CONDUCTOR'S AWARD, went to pianist Alec Sievern of Evansville, Indiana.  Mr. Sievern's convicted rendition of the first movement (vivace) of the Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor by Rachmaninoff  won him a $600 cash prize and a performance with the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra on their upcoming Spring Concert on Friday, May 14^th.  Mr. Sievern is the son of Bill and Luann Sievern and is a freshman at Reitz Memorial High School.  He is a student of Garnet Ungar.

The third place prize, or ORCHESTRA AWARD, went to violinist Tony Huang of Evansville, IN.  Mr. Huang performed the first movement of Wieniawski's Violin Concerto No in D Minor, Op. 22.  His spirited rendition won him a $300 cash prize.  Mr. Huang is the son of Guoyuan Huang and Shinan Huang and is a sophomore at F.J. Reitz High School.  He is a student of Kathryn Savia.

HONORABLE MENTION went to bassist Sydney Simpson of Owensboro, KY, who performed Capuzzi's Concerto for Contrabass and Orchestra.  She is the daughter of Lawrence T. Simpson and Rebecca Herzog and is a junior at Owensboro High School. Ms. Simpson studies double bass with Greg Olson.

The Young Artist Competition is designed to promote, encourage, and nurture exceptional young talent.  The Young Artist 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.