Bach Festival Society Announces 18th Annual Young Artist Competition Winners

The Bach Festival Society congratulates the winners of the 18th Annual Young Artist Competition, held on Saturday, November 20. Over 50 entrants from around the state competed, with twelve prize-winning contestants advancing to the finalist round. The finalist recital was open to the public and was enjoyed by over 150 guests. The top three winners are listed below along with the piece each performed for the final round of judging. "This year's competition drew strong competitors from throughout the state. We are very proud of all the talented musicians who competed," said Artistic Director and Conductor John. V. Sinclair.

Grand Prize Winner:

Giancarlo Licitra, cello

Winter Springs, FL

Cello Concerto No.1 in Eb Major, Op. 107 by Dmitri Shostakovich

2nd Prize Winner:

Enoch Wong, piano

Orlando, FL

Rigoletto Paraphrase by Franz Liszt

3rd Prize Winner:

Deborah Wendt, harp

Altamonte Springs, FL

La Source by Alphonse Hasselmans

Other Competition Finalists listed in alphabetical order:

Rachel Beal, soprano; Winter Park, FL

Jake Chabot, flute; Orlando, FL

Gabrielle Chou, piano; Pembroke Pines, FL

Linsey Duca, soprano; Winter Springs, FL

John Li, piano; Oviedo, FL

Nathan May, double bass; Winter Park, FL

Joseph Prior, horn; Winter Park, FL

Thomas Stephenson, clarinet; Maitland, FL

KamyRon Williams, cello; Valrico, FL

About the Competition

This competition, generously sponsored by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation and presented in partnership with the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, drew high school students from across Florida to compete for a combined prize purse of $5,000 in four categories: piano, strings, brass/woodwinds, or voice. Past winners have gone on to study at prominent schools such as The Juilliard School and Northwestern University, and many now lead successful music careers.

About the Bach Festival Society

The Bach Festival Society celebrates 75 years of outstanding musical offerings and Annual Festivals in 2010. Located in Winter Park, Florida, it is one of the longest continuously operating Bach Festivals in the country and among America's great oratorio societies. The Bach Festival Society brings the highest caliber of classical music to Central Florida. Performances are held in the intimate settings of Tiedtke Concert Hall and Knowles Memorial Chapel on the beautiful campus of Rollins College.

For more information regarding the season or to order tickets, please call the Bach Festival Society at 407.646.2182 or visit us online at www.BachFestivalFlorida.org.

Photo credit: Karen Leslie photography