Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Hosts Fifteenth Annual Young Artists Competition

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra Hosts Fifteenth Annual Young Artists Competition  - Applications must be received by January 5, 2009

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will host its Fifteenth Annual Young Artists Competition in 2009.  Local student instrumentalists will vie for a scholarship and a chance to perform with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

The competition is open to all students 18 years (as of January 1, 2009) or younger in three categories:  strings, brass/woodwinds/percussion and piano.  Contestants must be currently studying with a music teacher and must reside within a 35-mile radius of Vancouver, Washington.  Previous first-place winners of this competition are not eligible.  The musical selection shall consist of standard concerto repertoire and must be less than fifteen minutes in length.

Professional musicians in each category will select the finalists.  Up to nine finalists will perform “concert style” before a panel of judges also comprised of professional musicians.  The final competition of the top three finalists in each category will be held February 22, 2009.

Applications and information may be obtained by contacting The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at (360) 735-7278.  The deadline for filing of the application and audition tape is January 5, 2009.  All applicants will be notified of the preliminary judging decision during the week of February 2, 2009.

Under the leadership of Music Director and Conductor Salvador Brotons, The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a 70-member professional orchestra presenting outstanding guest artists and varied programs September through May in a seven-concert season.  The VSO performs in-school concerts for more than one thousand students and sponsors.

The mission of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is to enhance the quality of life in Southwest Washington by providing symphonic music of the highest caliber in live performances, and through music education in the schools, the concert halls, and throughout the community.

Date: April 18 and 19, 2009

Location: Skyview High School Concert Hall in Vancouver.