Youth Music Competition

This year’s contest is on Saturday, May 5, 2012, at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. The application deadline is April 15, 2012. The application, along with specific requirements, can be downloaded here.

Special Rules

1. A student can win only ONCE in any level. Once they win in a level, they must wait until they are in the next level to compete again.
2. A student may not compete the year immediately following their win, even if they switch levels. For example, a student winning in the last year of middle school eligibility may not compete in the high school level the following year.

Contact our Co-Chairs Kate Walsh (3mcwals@gmail.com) or Debbie Robinson (drobinson159@comcast.net) for further information.

Background

Each Spring, Masterworks' Youth Music Competition provides an opportunity for area youth to compete in one of three levels: elementary, middle, or high school. Since 2001, this annual event has provided wonderful learning and performance experience for students in our community.

This annual competition is open to all grade 3-12 vocal and instrumental students. The three winners, one from each level, receive a scholarship award and an invitation to perform a solo in a Masterworks Choral Ensemble concert at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts the season following the competition.

Announcing the 2011 Youth Music Competition student winners:

	Elementary Winner Andrew Pak, piano 4th grade, R.E. Bennett Elementary in Chehalis Andrew has studied piano at The Studio in Olympia with Lorraine Musson for the past 3 ½ years. He has taken part in many American College of Musicians (ACM) and Music Teacher's National Association (MTNA) events.  Andrew won state alternate in the WSMTA Conference Competition in 2009 and 2011, and Honorable Mention in the Concerto Festival in 2010. He has played in master classes led by Stephen Moore, Jody Graves, Steven Hessla, and Charlie Albright. Concert: World Music: Living Traditions
	Middle School Winner Danzhu Zhao, piano  8th Grade, Washington Middle School Danzhu Zhao loves music and has been playing piano since age five. She won a series of piano concerto competitions hosted by the Olympia Music Teachers Association, and is concertmaster for Washington Middle School orchestra. Danzhu accompanies a local church choir and community cultural festivals on piano. She also loves violin, and won gold seals for outstanding musicianship at the 2009 and 2010 Seattle Young Artists Music Festival. Concert: For the Beauty of the Earth
	High School Winner Sarah Hawkins, flute 12th Grade, North Thurston High School Sarah Hawkins is deeply involved in music in her community. At North Thurston High School, she is drum major, plays flute and piccolo in symphonic band and full orchestra, alto saxophone in jazz band, and euphonium in concert band. Outside school, she is a member of Olympia Youth Flute Choir. Sarah also participated in honor groups such as PLU Honor Band, All State Orchestra, and All Northwest Band. Concert: World Music: Living Traditions

The adjudicators for the 2011 competition were:

1. Dr. Donna Huffman, Music Director Centralia College
2. Molly McNamara, Music Director South Puget Sound Community College
3. Anne Edge, Private Instructor, violin and viola, SOGO viola coach
4. Dee Morton, Music Educator, founding conductor of the Pacific NW Chamber Orchestra
5. Christina Kowalski, Soprano Lirico, Affiliate Artist Faculty, University Puget Sound

Past Youth Music Competition Winners