Local TALENT!!!!
Saturday was a day of high notes, passionate notes, fast notes, ......The Holland Symphony Orchestra sponsored the Norbert Mueller Concerto Competition for area high school musicians. Wow!
Vocalist earns top concerto spot
First came the news that the prize money had doubled -- first prize to $500, second to $250 and third to $150.
Then came the announcement of the winners Saturday at Wichers Auditorium at the Nykerk Music building at Hope College.
The top three high school musicians in the competition may receive prize money, but only first place has the opportunity to solo during the Holland Symphony Orchestra's family concert March 16.
It was the first time -- at least in recent memory -- a vocalist competed, much less won first prize. Soprano Audrey Rink, a junior at Holland Christian High School, won the judge's over with Coccini and Mercurio's Ave Maria.
"I was really honored that I won, after hearing all the people who participated in this, they were all so amazing," Rink said.
Luke Panning, a junior at Black River Public School, took second place playing Khachaturian's violin concerto.
"It's always exciting to do well," Panning said.
Panning plans to practice medicine while playing music on the side -- it's much harder to do it the other way around, he joked.
"Hope's a nice college, I might go here," he said.
Panning received third place last year and won the Skip Gates concerto competition sponsored by the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony.
Jeremy Young took third place with playing Haydn's concerto for trumpet in E flat.
"I'm always surprised by the high level of musicianship that comes in," said Gabe Southard, a judge, Hope professor and director of bands. "Every year the level (of performance) goes up a little bit. It was a very hard decision for us."
Winners
The top three high school musicians at the Norbert Mueller Concerto competition Saturday:
First: Soprano Audrey Rink, a junior at Holland Christian High School, vocalist
Second: Luke Panning, a junior at Black River Public School, playing violin
Third: Jeremy Young playing trumpet
_________________________________________And here's a winner too. My daughter, Claire, has earned a prize of a glorious performance of Bruch's violin concerto, the self satisfaction of really clean runs, great trills, passionate execution, beautiful stage presence, triumph over nerves, and standing tall in a field of very talented peers/friends.
I'm so proud. And as I type she's practicing her Bach for those college recitals! You Go Girl!
Love,
Mom
