The Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra will conduct its eighth annual Madeline Schatz-Harris Youth Concerto Competition on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Young woodwind, brass, percussion and keyboard players from throughout the state are eligible to enter the competition this year, with string players eligible next year. The venue for this year’s competition will be at a private residence in Kailua-Kona.
During the competition, contestants will perform, by memory, one movement of a piece chosen from standard orchestral repertoire with piano accompaniment.
A panel of judges will select one winner from each age category: 12 years and younger, 13-15 years and 16-18 years. The winners will perform their solos with the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra during its winter concert, “En Pointe Brilliance,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019, at Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.
In addition to performing with the orchestra, winners will receive cash rewards.
Instrumentalists interested in entering the competition should visit the orchestra’s website, kamuelaphil.org, for further details on specific procedures for entry and the approved repertoire.
Applications for the event, which are due to Kamuela Philharmonic Artistic Director Brian Dollinger no later than Sept. 1, also can be obtained from the website.
Founding Artistic Director Madeline Schatz-Harris recognized and admired the talent exhibited by many young music students in Hawaii and came up with the idea of the annual concerto competition as a showcase for that talent.
Like his predecessor, Maestro Brian Dollinger has a passion for teaching, conducting and mentoring young students and embraced the competition as an opportunity to continue this legacy.
The Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra is a charitable organization, and part of its mission statement is furthering the musical knowledge of the state’s young people.
Those who want to contribute to this endeavor should contact the orchestra through its website or through the mail at P.O. Box 2597, Kamuela, HI 96743.
