57th Annual ECSO Instrumental Competition

Connecticut – The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra invites the public to a free afternoon of music and refreshments. This competition, now in its 57th year, was established to recognize the outstanding talents of emerging young musicians through the age of 25. Generously sponsored by the Kitchings Family Foundation, the finals will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at 1 PM in Evans Hall on the Connecticut College Campus in New London. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents or grandparents to bring children over the age of ten. Finalists from the top music conservatories across the country will compete for a first prize of $3,000 and the possibility of soloing with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra during the 2016-2017 concert season. Second prize is $1,500 and third prize is $750. All entries were pre-judged in the first round by CD’s. This year’s finalists include 3 violins, 2 bassoons, 2 clarinets, 2 flutes, 1 cello, 1 viola, and 1 tuba. The 2015 winner, Jung-Hsuan Ko, will perform with the ECSO on March 19, 2016 at the Garde Arts Center.
The judges are Edward Cumming, Director of Orchestral Activities and Associate Professor of Music at The Hartt School; Simon Holt, Artistic Director and General Manager of Salt Marsh Opera; and Toshiyuki Shimada, ECSO Music Director and Conductor. For further information, call the Eastern Connecticut Symphony office at 860-443-2876.