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2009 Youth Concerto Competition
Winners |
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The
Clear Lake Symphony held a competition on February 28, 2009 for young artists from Houston
Metro area high schools,
junior highs, and elementary schools. |
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The Youth Concerto Competition winners
will be provided with a scholarship and perform as a featured soloist with the Clear Lake
Symphony at the March 28, 2009 concert. Forty nine (49) participants
participated in this year's competition. |
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Junior Wind
Division
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Ashley Hunter (Flute)
Winner, "Poem for Flute and Orchestra", by Griffes. Age
14 in the 9th grade. Daughter of Bryan
& Allison Hunter. Ashley has studied flute 3-1/2
years. Teacher: Mercedes Smith Ashley wants to be a professional
flutist. She plays tennis for her high school and likes to attend the
Houston Ballet and Opera. |
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Musical Achievements:
· Houston Youth
Symphony
·
All-Region Band, 9th Grade
· All-Region Orchestra, 9th Grade
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Senior Wind
Division |
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Matthew Barker (Trumpet) Winner,
"Trumpet Concerto in E-Flat", by Arutiunian. Age 16 in the 11th grade at
Pasadena Memorial High School.
Son of Mike & Debbie Barker. Studied trumpet for 6 years and
piano 10 years. Trumpet teachers: Jim Vassallo, Guinn Pitts and
Randy Adams. Piano teacher: Joan Nassiri.
Matthew spends his summers attending music camps and performs overseas.
He is a member of the Tallowood Baptist Church Orchestra and is an Eagle
Scout. Matthew enjoys playing video games in his spare time. He
plans to continue his love of music and performing like his brother and
parents as he plans to major in music at the university level. |
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Musical Achievements:
· TMEA All-State Band/Orchestra (2007 - 2009)
· TMEA Area, Region, District Band/Orchestra (6 years - 6th thru 11th
grade)
· Clear Lake Symphony Youth Concerto Junior Wind Division Winner (2007)
· Houston Youth Symphony Principal Trumpet, 4 years
· Virtuosi of Houston Youth Symphony, Principal Trumpet (2008 - 2009)
· National Piano Guild Roll, 10 years
· Outstanding Soloist at TSSEC (2008)
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Honorable Mention
Megan Pogue (Flute),
"Serenade
for Flute, Harp, & String Orchestra", by
Hanson. Music Teacher: Norma Williams. |
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Junior Piano
Division |
Elizabeth Zhang (Piano) Winner,
"Piano Concerto No.2 in B-Flat, 1st mvt.", by Beethoven. Age 14 in the 9th grade at
Bellaire High School. Daughter of Qingxiu & Ronghua Zhang. Elizabeth studied piano
9 years. Music Teacher: John Weems. She enjoys drawing and
playing the piano. Elizabeth hopes to become a doctor when she grows up. |
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Musical Achievements:
· Houston Young Artist (2007, 2009)
· 1st Place, Texas University's Young Pianist Competition, 9th grade
· Chosen for master classes at the University of Houston Music Festival
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Honorable Mention
Victoria Songyang (Piano),
"Piano Concerto No. 13 in C, K415, 1st mvt." by Mozart. Music Teacher:
James Stovall. |
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Senior Piano
Division |
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Nam Nguyen (Piano) Winner,
"Piano Concerto in G, 1st mvt." by Ravel. Age 18 in the
12th grade at Stephen F. Austin High School. Daughter
of Dr. Vinh & Le Nguyen. Nam studied piano 14 years.
Piano teacher: John Weems. Nam, in her spare time, worked on the Obama
Presidential Campaign and volunteered for the BPSOS social service
organization. Her eclectic taste in music ranges from folk-rock to
jazz. |
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Musical Achievements:
· Houston Young Artist recitals, 2 years
· 1st Place, Virginia Bach Competition
· 2nd Place, TMEA
Concerto contest
· 1st Chair, All-State, 9th grade
· World Pedagogy Conference, participant
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Junior
String Division |
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Erik Wheeler
(Cello) Winner, "Variations on a
Rococo Theme", by Tschaikowsky. Age 14 in the 9th grade
at High School for Performing & Visual Arts. Son of Lawrence Wheeler &
Linda Sanders. Erik studied
cello for 9 years. Music teachers: Lynn Harrell and Brinton Smith.
Aside from music, Erik enjoys sports, reading, spending time with his
friends and being in the great outdoors. |
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Musical Achievements:
· Houston Civic Symphony Concerto Competition Winner (2008)
· Greater Houston Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition
Winner (2005, 2008)
· Principal Cello, All-State Symphony Orchestra (2009)
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Honorable Mention
Ben Zannoni (Viola),
"Viola Concerto in D, 1st mvt." by Stamitz. Music Teacher:
James Dunham. |
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Senior
String Division |
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Elijah Baik (Cello) Winner,
"Cello Concerto in D minor, 1st mvt." by Lalo.
Age 15 in the 9th grade at Taylor High School. Son of John & Youngsook Baik. Elijah studied cello for 4 years.
Cello teachers: Christopher French and Brinton Smith. He enjoys
listening to music, reading and swimming. |
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Musical Achievements:
· 1st Place, Houston Youth Symphony Concerto Competition (2007)
· 1st Place, Houston Civic Symphony Young Artist Competition (2008)
· Houston Young Artist Concert (2009)
· TMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra (2009)
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Thank You Roje Yap
!
Many thanks go to
Competition Coordinator, Roje Yap for his tireless work to put this
competition and concert together. A big thank you also goes to his
committee who helped during the competition and the judges on
February 28, 2009.
A
fine job was done by the competition Judges.
This
year's judges were the following:
| WIND
DIVISION |
Mr.
Robert Wall |
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· Associate Conductor - Clear Lake Symphony |
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· Principal Clarinet - Clear Lake Symphony |
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Ms.
Bruce Brown |
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· French Horn Player - Clear Lake Symphony |
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· Free-Lance French Horn Artist |
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Mr.
Patrick
Sloan, Sr. |
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· Principal String Bass - Clear Lake Symphony |
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· Director of Orchestra & Keyboard - Albright Fine Arts Academy |
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| PIANO
DIVISION |
Dr.
Charles Johnson |
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· Music Director - Clear Lake Symphony |
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· Viola Player - Houston Ballet Orchestra |
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Dr.
Sooah Chae |
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· Faculty - UH Moores School of Music |
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Dr.
Soyoon Lee |
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· Piano Faculty - Lone Star College |
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| STRING
DIVISION |
Ms.
Kysha Bradshaw |
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· Concertmaster - Clear Lake Symphony |
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· Private Music Teacher |
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Ms.
Alice Steele |
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· Concertmaster Emeritus - Clear Lake Symphony |
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· Texas Orchestra Director (retired) |
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Dr.
Kurt Gilman |
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· Director of String Activities - Lamar University |
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