The winners of the Dr. Robert Stanger Young Artists Auditions for 2014 have been announced by the Elmhurst Symphony Association. Held on February 8 at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, the competition showcased 16 outstanding high school musicians from many of the western suburbs, who played violin, piano, French horn, flute, cello, double bass and guitar. This year’s judges, Kara Bancks, Kim Diehnelt, and Rika Seko spent many hours listening to and critiquing these spectacular young performers, choosing four winners:
First Place: Lucie Ticho, Cello (Pictured at Right)
Shostakovich Cello Concerto #1, Mvmts III & IV
Sophomore, HinsdaleCentralHigh School
Teacher: Tanya Carey
Second Place: Serena Harnack, Violin
Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major, Mvmt I
Sophomore, St. Francis College Prep High School
Teacher: Almita Vamos
Third Place: Daniel Kaler, Cello
Dvorak Cello Concerto in b minor, Mvmt I
Sophomore, New TrierHigh School
Teacher: Stephen Balderston
Fourth Place: Steven Song, Violin
Dvorak Violin Concerto in a minor, Mvmt I
Freshman, NeuquaValleyHigh School
Teacher: Gerardo Ribiero
The Stanger Competition first-place winner, Lucie Ticho, will perform with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra at a subscription concert during its 2014-15 season. Other winners will perform for Kiwanis and other local groups in the next few months
Thanks go to Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church and staff for the use of the church and to the many dedicated Symphony volunteers who made the day run smoothly: Bruce Forbush, Irmgard Olson, Mary Lou Saville, Cynthia Krainc, Rosie Klepper, and Wendee Greene. The Symphony is especially grateful to the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club, the Elmhurst Symphony Auxiliary’s Eunice B. Sidner Scholarship Fund, and SBT Bank for their generous and active support of the Stanger Auditions
For more information, call the Symphony office at (630) 941-0202 or visit www.elmhurstsymphony.org.