Annual Young Artists Competition
1965 – Young Artists Linda Blackwood,
piano, and
David Rosenboom, violin, with
trombonist Dr. Guy Tourney
and conductor Harold Bauer.
Since 1953, the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association has sponsored a
competition for young musicians. The purpose of the competition
is to give outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform
as a concert soloist, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Such a
performance can be a springboard for a young person to choose a
lifelong commitment to the arts. The contest winners receive
special publicity which can improve their scholarship opportunities as
they move on to higher education. The annual Young Artists
Concert rewards excellence in musicianship and enriches not just the
performer, but also the audience and orchestra members.
“There
are so many wonderful young musicians in the area who should take
advantage of this competition. Often, musicians do not enter
because of the many other priorities and activities in their busy lives
as teenagers,” says Jane Polett, general manager of the Quincy Symphony
Orchestra Association. “It is important for them to realize that
the opportunity to be a soloist with a symphony orchestra is extremely
uncommon. Any former winner would tell them that the hard work
and time commitment to prepare the concert piece was well worth it.”
The
competition is open to current 10th-12th graders
who attend school within a 70 mile radius of Quincy. The Young Artists
Concert is partially supported by Encore! Volunteer Council and also by
a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.
Area
instrumentalists and vocalists in grades 10 through 12 are invited to
participate in the 53rd Annual Young Artists Competition on Saturday,
December 8, 2007. The winner(s) of this regional contest will
have the opportunity to perform as a guest soloist with the Quincy
Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, February 10, 2008, at 3:00pm in the QJHS
Morrison Theater. The deadline for applications is Friday,
November 16, 2007.
Application forms
and competition
rules and procedures are available at www.qsoa.org or by
calling the Symphony Office at 217/222-2856.