Reno Philharmonic Hosts Concerto Competition

2009-01-13

The Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestras’ Concerto Competition was held Saturday, January 10th McKinley Arts and Culture Center in downtown Reno. A junior from The Davidson Academy came in first in the competition. Clarinetist Benjamin Lokshin wowed the judges with the 3rd movement of the Clarinet Concerto #2 in E flat, by Carl Maria von Weber.

Judges Larry Engstrom, head of University of Nevada music department, retired Concertmaster Phillip Ruder, and Reno Phil Youth Orchestra conductor, Jason Altieri, awarded Mr. Lokshin with $500 and he will be invited to play with the Youth Symphony Orchestra during its Spring Concert. The spring concert will be Sunday, May 10th at 2:00 p.m. at the Nightingale Concert Hall at the university campus.

The competition had 17 entries in three divisions: Strings—Grades 7- 9, Strings—Grades 10-12, and Winds, Brass and Percussion—Grades 7-12. Division winners are: Sarah Victoria Rosemann, violin (Senior Strings Division Winner), Robyn Neidhold, violin (Junior Strings Division Co-Winners) and Benjamin Lokshin, Clarinet (Winds, Brass and Percussion Division Co-Winners).

The Concerto Competition is part of the Education Programs of the Reno Philharmonic Association. The Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra was founded in 1995, and in 1999 the association formed the Youth Chamber Orchestra to give musical experience to middle school and high school students from northern Nevada and northern California. The two orchestras now involve 165 talented young musicians, selected by open regional auditions.

These concerts and education programs would not be possible without the generous support and donations of these organizations: City of Reno Arts & Culture Commission, Nevada Arts Council, Washoe County School District, University of Nevada Music Department, the Reno Philharmonic Guild and the Sierra Philharmonic League.

For more information call the RPA office at 775.323.6393 or on renophil.com.

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