First-Ever Broadcast Of Madison Symphony Bolz Young Artist Competition

The event will be broadcast on WPR and WPT in a 90-minute program entitled "Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte," marking Wisconsin's first statewide broadcast of a music competition for young people.

The Final Forte features Music Director John DeMain conducting the MSO with four high school student finalists as they compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform with the MSO in a concert for their peers the next morning. The event takes place Wednesday, January 31 at 7:00 PM in Overture Hall,
201 State Street. It is free and open to the public.

WPR will broadcast the event live throughout the state, and WPT will air the event-along with profiles of the finalists-on Saturday, February 3 at 7:00 PM and again on Sunday, February 11 at 9 AM. Milwaukee Public Television WMVS-TV will also air the program in February. Check local listings.

The four finalists are: pianist Kyle Coolidge, cellist Jimmy Kang, violinist Krista Stewart and violinist Sakura Takemitsu. Each participant has selected a movement from a concerto, and must play it from memory for a panel of distinguished judges, including: Wen-lei Gu, Violin Professor at Lawrence University; Michael Kim, Piano Professor at Lawrence University; Benjamin Whitcomb, Professor of Cello at UWWhitewater; and Howard Karp, Professor Emeritus of Piano at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

The judges will select two winners from among the four finalists at the Final Forte event. The winners will
each receive a $1,000 cash prize and will perform at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 1 at the MSO's Young People's Concert in Overture Hall. That concert will be attended by 2,000 high school students from communities across South-Central Wisconsin.

The MSO's Bolz Young Artist Competition (formerly the High School Concerto Competition) is made possible by a gift from the Eugenie Mayer Bolz Foundation. Preliminary rounds welcomed students (grades 9-12) from around the state to compete. The first round on December 9 had 28 participants; the semifinal round on December 11 had six participants.

The Bolz Young Artist Competition is a part of the MSO's nationally recognized education and community outreach programs, which touch the lives of more than 18,000 children and adults each year. Through such programs as Up Close and Musical® and HeartStrings, as well as the Fall Youth Concerto
Competition and the Fall Youth Concerts-attended by more than 5,700 students each year-the MSO is
continuing a strong commitment to enriching the lives of students, contributing to the future of the art form
and enhancing the cultural life of the entire community.

The Bolz Young Artist Competition has a long history of talented winners, many of whom have gone on to illustrious musical careers. Ana Victoria Luperi-1996 winner on clarinet-is a distinguished musician who has appeared as a guest clarinetist with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony as well as on National Public Radio's Performance Today. "I have really fond memories of playing with the MSO. Thank you so much for the opportunity that helped jump-start my career," Luperi said.

By www.madisonsymphony.org