Symphony solos at stake in Sunday youth concerto
Y ears ago, there was just one winner of the Juneau Symphony's annual Youth Concerto Competition. In 2002, there were two. And last year, there were three.
"It all depends on the quality of musicians, and what the judges see," said symphony board member and youth committee chair Mary Ann Dlugosch. "Last year was probably the best I've ever seen. There were several musicians of very high quality, and a lot of different instruments. The judges had a tough decision."
Nine musicians, ages 9 to 17, will compete in this year's event, 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at the University of Alaska Southeast's Hendrickson Hall. The show is free and will last one to two hours. A panel of three judges will award the winner, or winners, with a solo during a performance of the Juneau Symphony or Juneau Student Symphony.
In 2003, pianist Bryan Diebels won a solo with the Juneau Symphony. Violinist Pauline Zheng and cellist Hunter Brown earned solos with the student symphony. Frank Felkl and Nina Schwinghammer won the 2002 competition.
"It's possible to have two really outstanding players and for them both to perform with the symphony," Dlugosch said. "There's a lot of discretion on the part of the judges to decide whether one or two or none will play with the Juneau Symphony. They're looking for the accuracy of the notes that are played. They're looking for interpretation. They're looking for rhythm and stage presence."
Symphony conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett is usually a judge but will be unable to attend. He hopes to listen to an audio feed from his home in California.
The contest is limited to high school juniors and younger. All selections must be pieces that an orchestra can play. Competitors can win more than once in their school career.
The entrants:
• David Miller, "Violin Concerto No. 5, 1st movement," F. Seitz
• Maggie Ross, "Piano Concerto No. 21, 2nd movement," W.A. Mozart
• Benjamin Weyhrauch, "Piano Concerto No. 3, 1st movement," D. Kabalevsky
• Lindsay Clark, "Violin Concerto No. 23 in G Major," G. Viotti
• Andrew Sigler, "Violin Concerto No. 1 in a minor, 1st movement," J.B. Accolay
• Isabel Bush, "Piano Concerto in D Major, 1st movement," J. Haydn
• Abraham D. Levy, "Piano Concerto in a minor, 1st movement," E. Grieg
• Megan Bush, "Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major, 1st movement," W. A. Mozart
• Agatha Erickson, "Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra," N. Rimsky-Korsakov
• Korry Keeker can be reached at korry.keeker@juneauempire.com