15
Jan
2015
2015 QCSYEs Concerto Competition
On Sunday, January 11, flutist Gabriella Nisly won the 2015 Grand Prize in the QCSYEs Concerto Competition performing Georges Hüe's Fantasie. The Iowa City West High School senior will perform with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and QCSO Music Director and Conductor Mark Russell Smith on Sunday, February 22, 2015 as part of the QCSO/QCSYEs Side-by-Side Concert at Centennial Hall.
This year eleven members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra (QCSYSO) participated as contestants in the 2015 QCSYEs Concerto Competition, which offers contestants the chance to compete for two opportunities to perform as a soloist with orchestral accompaniment. The two-round competition was held at Augustana College's Centennial Hall and was adjudicated by music faculty members from Augustana College, St. Ambrose University, and the University of Iowa, as well as members of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. Following the first round, five finalists were chosen to perform again in a final round, which resulted in the selection of two prize winners.
"As a judge, I was pleased to hear these fine young musicians. The level of musical talent in the region was represented quite well by all the student participants. Their musicality is a testament to their level of dedication to practice, to the hard work of the teachers and to the support of their families. All the participants have reason to be proud of their accomplishments and I hope we continue to hear them make music for many years to come," said William Campbell, St. Ambrose University Music Department Chair, who served as a judge for the competition.
The YSO Prize was awarded to Muscatine High School junior Gabrielle Hartmann (pictured here with link to performance). She will perform the first movement of Carl Maria von Weber's Bassoon Concerto in F major, op. 75, with the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra and QCSYEs Music Director Benjamin Klemme on Sunday, April 26, 2015 as part of the QCSYEs Spring Festival Concert at Centennial Hall.
"This annual competition is a key component of the well-rounded musical experience we endeavor to provide the talented, young members of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. It allows our leading members to perform in a context in which they can practice and develop confidence as a soloist and poise as a performer. And I can say, as a listener, that it is inspiring to observe them doing so as they pursue the highest standards of artistic excellence and informed musicianship. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of these young artists through the QCSYEs Concerto Competition is something we look forward to each year," Benjamin Klemme, QCSYEs music director shared.
"This annual competition is a key component of the well-rounded musical experience we endeavor to provide the talented, young members of the Quad City Symphony Youth Ensembles. It allows our leading members to perform in a context in which they can practice and develop confidence as a soloist and poise as a performer. And I can say, as a listener, that it is inspiring to observe them doing so as they pursue the highest standards of artistic excellence and informed musicianship. Showcasing the extraordinary talents of these young artists through the QCSYEs Concerto Competition is something we look forward to each year," Benjamin Klemme, QCSYEs music director shared.
THE QUAD CITY SYMPHONY YOUTH ENSEMBLES
The QCSYEs program is comprised of five performance groups (four youth orchestras and a youth choir) for students in grades two through twelve. Under the direction of the outstanding QCSYEs conducting staff, members have the opportunity to perform great orchestral and choral repertoire with the most talented young musicians in the area, and learn from rehearsals and coaching sessions with professional musicians from throughout the region. Ensemble members come from the greater Quad Cities, as well as other communities in southeast Iowa and northwest Illinois.
GABRIELA NISLY, Flute–QCSYEs Concerto Competition Grand Prize Winner
Gabriela Nisly is a senior at Iowa City West High School and studies flute with Nicole Esposito and Megan Hofeldt. She is a prize winner of numerous competitions and has participated in a variety of summer music activities, including the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Gabriela hopes to double major in Flute Performance and Psychology in college.
GABRIELLE HARTMANN, Bassoon–QCSYEs Concerto Competition YSO Prize Winner
Gabrielle Hartmann is a 15-year-old junior at Muscatine High School and studies bassoon with Benjamin Coelho. She is a 3-year member of the QCYSEs and Iowa All-State Music Festival. She also volunteers as a student director for Muscatine Children's Choir, and has been involved with implementing a youth music program in Haiti.?
