Houston Symphony Announces 2017 Ima Hogg Competition Semifinalists

The Houston Symphony and Houston Symphony League announced today the 10 semifinalists of the 42nd annual Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition, one of the few nationwide competitions open to all standard orchestral instruments and piano.

Named to honor the memory of Miss Ima Hogg, a co-founder of the Houston Symphony, this prestigious competition is designed to support young instrumentalists, ages 16-26, in their pursuit of careers in music. The Ima Hogg Competition has launched young musicians' careers as performing artists with past winners earning countless national and international awards as well as prestigious positions in major orchestras. In addition to citizens of the United States, Canada or Mexico, foreign students currently enrolled at a U.S. college, university or conservatory are also eligible.

This year's competition is chaired by Barbara McCelvey, a governing director of the Symphony's board and an active member of the Houston Symphony League, and feature the following 10 accomplished young musicians: Alan Woo, Charles Seo, Churen Li, I-Jung Huang, Joseph Morris, Kiril Angelov, Michael Ferri, Rachel Ostler, Rainer Crosett and Vijay Venkatesh.

The Semifinalists

The semifinalists, whose ages range from 21-26, have appeared in various competitions and festivals around the world, including the Tchaikovsky International Competition, Aspen Music Festival, Seattle International Piano Competition, and Rio Hondo Symphony Concerto Competition. Ferri, Venkatesh and Crosett have performed as soloists on National Public Radio's broadcast program "From the Top," while other semifinalists have performed at renowned venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Boston Symphony Hall and Jordan Hall.

Additionally, seven of the finalists have either completed or are currently pursuing graduate degrees in music. Woo, a two-time Ima Hogg Competition semifinalist, is currently pursuing doctoral studies with a Dean's Doctor of Musical Arts Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University's Peabody Institute, while Dallas-native Ostler is currently pursuing her second master's degree in musical arts at the Yale School of Music. Seo, an undergraduate at the Colburn Conservatory of Music from Katy, Texas, is a three-time Ima Hogg Competition semifinalist and the 2013 winner of the Houston Symphony League Concerto Competition.

On Thursday, June 1, the semifinalists will perform up to two of their pre-selected concertos in front of a judging panel with the hopes of advancing to the finals. Four finalists will move on to the final round of the competition where they will again perform a concerto, this time with the Houston Symphony, in front of the judges and a live audience. The finals concert is free to attend and will be broadcast live on Houston Public Media's News 88.7. This year's Ima Hogg Competition will be held June 3 at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music.

First and Second Place Prizes

The winner of the First Prize, The Grace Woodson Memorial Award, will receive a $25,000 prize made possible by the generosity of Symphony patrons John and Tracy Dennis in honor of his grandmother. The winner will also have the coveted opportunity to perform with the Houston Symphony at Jones Hall Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

The recipient of the Second Prize, The Houston Symphony League Award - presented by the Houston Symphony League in recognition of Jerry Priest, founding chair of the competition and member of the Houston Symphony League - will receive a $10,000 prize and will also earn the opportunity to perform with the Houston Symphony at Miller Outdoor Theatre Saturday, July 1, 2017.

Air travel for the semifinalists is generously provided by United Airlines, the official airline of the Houston Symphony. Accommodations for the conductor and the panel of judges are provided by The Lancaster Hotel. The partnership with Rice University allows the Symphony to host the competition at the Shepherd School of Music's Stude Concert Hall year after year. Accommodations for the competitors are graciously provided by Houston Symphony volunteer host families. Underwriting support of this prestigious annual event is provided by generous sponsors, including John and Lindy Rydman, Spec's Wines Spirits and Finer Foods, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Dennis III, Mr. John Neighbors and Wells Fargo.

2017 Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition EVENTS:

Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition Semifinals Concert

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Stude Concert Hall

Rice University's Shepherd School of Music

6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005

Free Admission

Houston Symphony Ima Hogg Competition Finals Concert

7 - 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Daniel Hege, conductor

Stude Concert Hall

Rice University's Shepherd School of Music

6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005

Tickets: $25 (student rush tickets $15)