The Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and its Academy of Music will present its 2021 Young Artists Competition winners’ recital as a virtual event this year.
The program will premiere at 3 p.m. Feb. 21 on the symphony’s YouTube channel.
The young artist competition is open to students who reside or take private music lessons in Westmoreland or Fayette county. Performers will present pieces chosen by the judges of their audition programs.
Applicants perform at least two contrasting pieces representing different periods of classical repertoire, highlighting both lyricism and facility. Performing from memory is required for pianists and encouraged for others.
“With this year’s winners’ recital being offered virtually, many more people will be able to hear for themselves how incredibly special these young people are,” said Morrie Brand, Academy of Music director. “I look forward to this event each February, and continue to be amazed at the talent of these young local musicians.”
On Feb. 7, 17 finalists competed for cash prizes and a chance to perform in the winners’ recital. The virtual recital will feature students who competed in various categories on two levels, including:
Level I, students up to grade 9
Instrumental
• 1st place: Juliana Matteo, harp (Penn Trafford High School, teacher Grechen Van Hoesen)
• 2nd place: Anna Qin, flute (Franklin Regional Middle School, teacher Dan Parasky)
• Honorable mentions: Nia Hanington and AJ Schmidt, flute (both Franklin Regional Middle School students, taught by Parasky).
Piano
• Honorable mentions: Austin An (Greater Latrobe Senior High School, teacher Edward J. Kuhn Jr.), and Lucy Zheng (Franklin Regional Middle School, teacher Tatyana Gelman).
Level II, grades 10-12
Instrumental
• 1st place: Audrey Lawrence, piccolo (Plum High School, teacher Dan Parasky)
• Tie for 2nd place: Evelyn Markle, flute (PA Leadership Charter School, teacher Michele Boulet); and Walter Vinoski, bassoon (Yough Senior High School, teacher Jason Worzbyt).
Piano
• 1st place: Jacob Gruss, organ (Greensburg-Salem Senior High School, teacher Chaz Bowers)
• Tie for 3rd place: David An (Greater Latrobe Senior High, teacher Edward J. Kuhn); and Hannah Zheng (Franklin Regional High School, teacher Tatyana Gelman).
Finals judges were Alexandra Dee, Tom Godfrey and Jacqueline Herbein. Preliminary judges were Risé Kostilnik and Christine Loughran.
The Westmoreland Symphony’s Young Artist Competition has been in existence since the 1980s. In 2002, its format was changed from a concerto competition to a solo competition.
Details: 724-837-1850 or email morrie@westmorelandsymphony.org
