Young Musician Competition

The Young Musician Competition is a state and regional competition for piano, strings, brass, woodwinds, and percussion. It is open to all students through their senior year in high school. Planned to promote the growth of instrumental music in South Dakota and the region, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra League and the South Dakota Symphony take pleasure in offering this competition. 


The Young Musician Competition 2008 Entry Form - 08-ymcENTRY.DOC The Young Musician Competition 2008 Entry Form
Postmarked entry forms and recordings (if applicable) are due by Friday, January 11, 2008 to be considered for the preliminary round.
DOC (27k)

 

Requirements

 

Eligibility: The competition is open to any piano, string, brass, woodwind, or percussion student through their senior year in high school living in the state of South Dakota or out of state within a 100-mile radius of Sioux Falls. Past First Prize winners are not eligible to enter the competition, but will be invited to perform as the special guest artist for the final round of competition.

 


 

Entry: Each contestant is required to submit an entry form with complete information filled out on the form. Entry forms are included and may be reproduced.

 


 

Preliminary Auditions: February 2, 2008. Preliminary auditions are live, but recorded entries are also accepted (preferably a high-quality CD recording). Live auditions are encouraged. Postmarked entry forms and recordings (if applicable) are due by Friday, January 11, 2008 to be considered for the preliminary round.

 


 

Repertoire: Contestants should prepare two selections from étude or solo repertoire. The two selections should be contrasting in nature demonstrating tone quality, intonation, technique, rhythm, and musicianship. The two selections can be two movements of the same work, or two selections from separate works. All music should be chosen from standard repertoire and be of an advanced level of achievement. Memorization is encouraged but not required.

 


 

Please note: Contestants should be prepared to perform the entire selection; however, most auditions will be no longer than 6 minutes for prelims and 10 minutes for finals.

 


 

Accompanists: Piano accompaniment is highly recommended, but not required for preliminary live and recorded auditions. Piano accompaniment is required for the final auditions in January. Please secure your accompanist well in advance for the preliminary and/or final round of auditions.

 


 

Final Round: All preliminary results and finalists will be announced by e-mail and/or phone on Monday, February 4, to all entrants. Winners will be announced after the final round of competition on February 17.

 


 

Prizes: Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three finalists. Certificates of achievement will be awarded to all finalists immediately following the final round of competition. 1st Prize- $500, 2nd Prize- $400, 3rd Prize- $300, Henry Charles Smith Award for Spirit & Enthusiasm- $250.

 


 

Further information: Please keep one copy of the competition guidelines and completed entry forms for your records. Questions regarding the Young Musician Competition should be directed to the South Dakota Symphony at (605) 335-7933. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Faxed entries may be sent to (605) 335-1958, mail orders should be sent to 315 N Main Ave. Suite 204, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, or e-mail entries may be sent to Julie Thompson at juliethompson@sdsymphony.org.

 


 

 


2008 Winners

The South Dakota Symphony’s 2008 Young Musician Competition proved that talent abounds in this region. 

Taryn Arbeiter (violin) from Rapid City, SD took home the highest honors.

 

The final round of competition was held on Sunday, February 17 at 12:00 pm in Kresge Recital Hall on the campus of Augustana College. The Second place finalist was Jason Bartos (piano) from Yankton, while the Third place finalist was Ann McLaughlin (harp) from Sioux Falls. Other finalists in the competition included Xiaoyi Li (piano) of Yankton, Riley Stiller (cello) of Sioux Falls, Samuel Boerboom (clarinet) of Hartford, Gabe Carlisle (violin) of Sioux Falls, Lane Raffaldini Rubin (violin) of Sioux Falls, and Benjamin Arbeiter (cello) of Rapid City.

The winner of the Henry Charles Smith Award this year is Ann McLaughlin (harp). The award is given to the student who showed a high level of enthusiasm, a positive character, and a true passion for music in the preliminary audition.

 

The Young Musician Competition concluded with an Awards Ceremony for the three top finalists and the Henry Charles Smith Award.

 


 

Biography: Taryn Arbeiter, violin

Biography coming soon, please check back.

 

 


 

The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra League awards prizes of $500, $400, and $300 to the winner and top finalists, and $250 for the Henry Charles Smith Award. Congratulations to these fine young musicians for their hard work and dedication!