A New Year Brings Upcoming Music Talent

Ian Buckspan of Longmont, CO places first in the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra's 2007 Young Artists Concerto Competition.

The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra's 2007 Young Artists Concerto Competition returned some very exciting results. For the first time, a wind player, clarinet, took top honors. Thirty-four young competitors from all over Colorado came to compete in the first round. Michelle Stanley, Ronald Francois, and Barbara Thiem (faculty members of Colorado State University) had the mission of judging the first round.

Only five players were chosen for the finals where they performed one more time for the Boulder Philharmonic's new music director, Michael Butterman. The winners (first, second, and third place) will be given an honorarium of $2000, $1000 and $500 respectively.

In first place, Ian Buckspan, age 19, from Longmont, CO, won the judges over with his rendition of Copland's Concerto for Clarinet and String Orchestra. Michael Butterman, when asked what set Ian apart from the rest of the competition said, "Ian displayed a wide range of tonal shadings and expressive nuances. His dynamic control, rhythmic accuracy and sure intonation contributed to a performance that would have been impressive from anyone, much less someone of his age. I look forward to working with him in January." Ian Buckspan was born in southern California and moved to Longmont, Colorado in 1988. He is currently a sophomore at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He started his woodwind studies at the age of ten.

Upon accepting a scholarship from the CU School of Music, he decided to concentrate on clarinet studies with Professor Daniel Silver. His orchestral experiences include positions in the Denver Young Artists and the Front Range Youth Orchestra. Ian joined the Denver Young Artists for their 2003 tour of Austria and Hungary. He plans to join them again for their '07 summer tour to Uruguay and Argentina. He has participated in numerous CU Opera productions and is currently a member of the CU Orchestra. He is also a substitute for the Longmont Symphony Orchestra.

Ian has received numerous honors and awards including Niwot High School's John Philip Sousa Award and Most Valuable Orchestra Member. He has participated in CU Honor Band, All-State Orchestra '04, All-State Band '05, and has been accepted into the National Wind Ensemble '07. He received first place in such competitions as the Plymouth Congregational Church Young Artist Solo Competition, Rocky Ridge Music Center's Concerto Competition, and Colorado Flute Association's Concerto Contest.

Ian has recorded the Beethoven Trio, Op.11 and the Brahms Clarinet Quintet at KVOD Classical Music Radio's new recording studio. A recording of the Brahms Quintet was broadcast last May. Ian also has given his time to perform at various community outreach venues including retirement homes and hospitals. In addition to his BM degree, he is pursuing a second degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the CU College of Arts and Science. When not in school or playing the clarinet, Ian enjoys hiking, running, weight training, and the college lifestyle.

The public will be able to hear Ian Buckspan perform Weber's Clarinet Concerto No. 2 ( 2nd and 3rd movements) and observe the receiving of his honorarium at the Boulder Philharmonic's Youth Talent Showcase on Sunday, January 21st , 4:00 p.m. at Macky Auditorium.

In second place, Russell Durham, age 17 from Denver, CO performed the 1st movement of the Saint-Saëns Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 61. There was a third place tie this year awarded to Rainer Eudeikis, age 16 from Confier, CO and Trevor Hale, age 18, studying in Boulder, CO. Rainer took on the challenge of Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme arranged for viola. Trevor ambitiously played Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 1. Honorable mention went to Peter Mathys, age 13 from Boulder, CO with his excellent performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, 1st mvt.

Tickets for the Youth Talent Showcase on Sunday, January 21st, 4 p.m. at Macky Auditorium are on sale - $5 for kids, students and seniors and $10 for adults. For information on purchasing tickets for Youth Talent Showcase or to sign up to receive information for the Boulder Philharmonic's 4th Annual Young Artists Concerto Competition, please call the Box Office at 303-449-1343 x2.

Winners of the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra's 2007 YACC

1st place: Ian Buckspan, clarinet, age 19 from Longmont, CO

2nd place: Russell Durham, violin, age 17 from Denver, CO

3rd place tie: Rainer Eudeikis, viola, age 16 from Conifer, CO

3rd place tie: Trevor Hale, piano, age 18 studying in Boulder, CO

Honorable Mention: Peter Mathys, piano, age 13 from Boulder, CO

About the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1958, is a critically acclaimed, fully professional orchestra. Each season the orchestra presents dynamic programming, featuring masterpieces, promising new works, and both accomplished and emerging guest musicians. Season's past have included performances by Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Jessye Norman, as well as Sergei Babyan, Angela Cheng, and Jennifer Frautschi. This season, the orchestra welcomes Michael Butterman as their new music director, and solo artists Edward Dusinberre, violin, and Terrence Wilson, piano.

With a strong commitment to education and community outreach, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra provides several free concerts throughout the summer and in Boulder County classrooms through its Classroom Concerts Program. In addition, individual members of the orchestra teach classes both privately and through the Boulder Valley School District and Boulder Arts Academy. Classroom concerts alone reach more than 5,000 Boulder Valley school children each year. The Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is in its 49th season. -- www.boulderphil.org