Contact:
Rachael Curley
DRA Collective
480.560.3255
[email protected]
WINNERS OF PHOENIX YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAS YOUNG MUSICIANS’ COMPETITION TO PERFORM APRIL 19
A Side-by-Side Concert with Professional and Student Musicians to Feature Young Scholarship Winners
PHOENIX (April 3, 2023) — The Phoenix Symphony is announcing its Side-by-Side concert on April 19 with the Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras, featuring the top two winners of PYSO’s Young Musicians Concerto Competition who will perform Concerto in D minor for Violin & Orchestra, Op. 47 and Concerto in E minor for Violoncello & Orchestra, Op. 85.
Matthew Kasper, the artistic and general director of Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras, will conduct the concert at 7:30 p.m. April 19 at Symphony Hall. Tickets are available for purchase on The Phoenix Symphony’s website.
“The Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestras expands the horizons of youngsters through music and develops the next generation of artists, patrons and leaders,” Kasper said. “The Side-by-Side concert showcases their tremendous hard work throughout the year and creates opportunities for collaborations and mentoring.”
In 1947, a forward-thinking group formed the Phoenix Symphony Guild with the purpose to create and fund The Phoenix Symphony. Five years later, this same group began the Youth Orchestra in order to train young musicians for The Phoenix Symphony.
Today, close to three hundred students participate in PYSO’s orchestral training program each year. Selected through a rigorous audition process, and invited to train with an ensemble, the young musicians enjoy weekly rehearsals led by world-class conductors, sectionals coached by professional musicians, weekend retreats and the opportunity to perform before thousands of audience members in highest-quality venues throughout the Valley. PYSO members have received local, national and international recognition for excellence and have performed throughout the world.
The 63rd Annual Young Musicians Concerto Competition concluded on January 8. All finalists win a scholarship to a camp or festival in the order of their final ranking. The Senior Division Jean and Robert Frankeberger Grand Prize Winner and First Runner Up will perform with the Phoenix Symphony at the Side by Side on April 19.
Abraham Kim, a scholarship winner and soloist for the concert, is a student of SOUNDS Academy. “Abraham is an exceptional young artist that exemplifies the character values that we teach. When he performs, you are brought into his world and moved by his passion and musicality,” said Kirk Johnson, CEO and founding director SOUND Academy.
Junior Division Winners (grades 6-8)
Justin Kang (cello)
Jake Shim (clarinet)
Vania Dutta (piano)
Joshua Lee (violin)
Jayden Yoneyama (violin)
Senior Division (grades 9-12)
Finalists (Alphabetical Order)
Alex Gong (viola)
Abraham Kim (cello)
Minjee Kim (clarinet)
Audrey Kurtz (violin)
Brandon Lee (viola)
Candice Liu (flute)
Seungchan (Aiden) Min (violin)
Boyoung (Cynthia) Min (viola)
Elizabeth Ovelil (flute)
Charlie Pabst (cello)
Cooper Taylor (bassoon)
Margaret Wang (violin)
The Jean and Robert Frankeberger Grand Prize Winner
Abraham Kim – Cello
First Runner Up
Seungchan (Aiden) Min – Violin
The Phoenix Youth Symphony Orchestra is now accepting audition applications for ensembles for the 2023-2024
season. Applications are due May 1.
About The Phoenix Symphony
The Phoenix Symphony is Arizona’s largest performing arts organization and one of the state’s most important cultural assets. In addition to performing traditional and modern repertoire in the fall and spring in Symphony Hall and around the Valley, its world-class musicians are actively engaged in the community thanks to generous foundation, corporation, and individual support. The Symphony is strengthened by collaborating with renowned guest conductors and artists. The core mission of The Phoenix Symphony is to provide the joy of live music as a catalyst for discovery, knowledge, compassion, and connection. Annually, orchestra members empower more than 120,000 students through education and partnerships and create opportunities for deeper connection for
tens of thousands of adults experiencing homelessness, in Alzheimer’s care facilities, in hospitals and in hospice.
To learn more, please visit phoenixsymphony.org
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