Eastern CT Symphony's Annual Instrumental Competition is March 17

The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra invites the general public to attend its annual Instrumental Competition. This competition, now in its 59th year, was established to recognize the outstanding talents of emerging young musicians through the age of 25.

12 contestants have been selected for the final round held at Evans Hall on the campus of Connecticut College in New London, CT on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 1:00pm. Complimentary refreshments are offered at the conclusion of the competition, after judges announce the winners.

The finalists hail from Connecticut, New York, Boston, Chicago, and as far as Texas. The instruments represented at the final round will be alto saxophone, cello, clarinet, violin, and piano.

The first prize winner will receive a cash award of $2,000 and a possible appearance as guest soloist with the orchestra. Second prize will receive a $1,000 cash award. Third prize will receive a $500 cash award. Past first prize winners have included cellist, Hyewon Kim; violinist, Clare Elena Semes; cellist, Jung-Hsuan Ko; flutist, Joanna Wu; and cellist, Yi Qun Xu who was featured as a soloist on ECSO’s February 24, 2018 concert, Paintings & Pictures.

Education is a crucial component of the ECSO’s mission “to inspire, educate, and connect our communities through live orchestral music.” The Annual Instrumental Competition helps carry out this mission, as well as positively impacting young people who are serious about pursuing a career in music.
 
17-18 Season general copy:
We are beyond excited to announce our 71st season’s lineup, curated by Music Director and Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada. Exquisite soloists from near, far, and within our very own orchestra ranks will take the stage next year. The chosen programs will continue to highlight the orchestral excellence that has become synonymous with the ECSO. Major repertoire selections include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 (Eroica), Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, and Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 among many others. Our season comes to a ravishing close through a celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 100th Anniversary with a concert presentation of Candide, a collaborative project uniting our artistic community for a presentation like no other in the region. Visit www.ectsymphony.com for more information and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube) @ectsymphony
 
The ECSO offers a range of affordable seating options from $62 to as low as $12 for attendance to one concert. The ECSO will continue to offer those under 30 years of age and active or retired military members $12 tickets in premium sections. Patrons can also take advantage of the Pick 4 subscription, which enables people to schedule our concerts around their busy lives.

Founded in 1946, the mission of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra is to inspire, educate, and connect our communities through live orchestral music.