In Tuesday’s (4/12) Post and Courier (Charleston, S.C.), Adam Parker reports that for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s third annual National Young Artist Competition, now underway, “About 90 young musicians from 31 states responded, and the orchestra’s competition team whittled that number down to 11 semifinalists: four wind players, three string players, two vocalists, a pianist and a harpist. The final round will feature four musicians vying for a grand prize of $2,500 and an appearance with the CSO. The runners-up each receive $1,000, and all four competitors get tuition waivers for the Brevard Music Center Summer Institute and Festival in North Carolina. The youngest of the competitors are 15; the oldest are the two singers, each 23. … The final round concert is 7:30 p.m. April 14 at the Gaillard Center…. Each finalist will perform for up to 18 minutes, accompanied by the orchestra led by Music Director Ken Lam…. Lam said the technical proficiency of young musicians today is impressive…. The challenge is to identify young players who imbue their performances with emotional and musical significance.” Classical music is “constantly being reborn…. And this week at the Gaillard Center, a Charleston audience will bear witness to this fact.”
Posted April 12, 2016
