Amarillo Symphony Young Artist Project Announces Winners; Congratulations to the 8 winners of the 2014-2015 Young Artist Project

Amarillo Symphony Young Artist Project Announces Winners;
Congratulations to the 8 winners of the 2014-2015 Young Artist Project!

AMARILLO, TEXAS – (July 31, 2014) – The Amarillo Symphony Young Artist Project today recognizes the winners of the 2014-2015 competition. Out of a total of 30 applications, 8 students were chosen as the recipients of private music lessons for 36 weeks and will work with professional instructors from the area to strengthen their skills and education of their specific instrument.

In 2012, the Amarillo Symphony Guild began a new program to provide private music instruction to gifted young musicians who would not otherwise be able to afford it. The Project began with an application from the student’s parent, a letter from the student explaining why they would like to receive private music lessons, and a letter of recommendation from the student’s band or orchestra director. Those applications are then reviewed by a committee which includes Guild members, the Executive Director of the Symphony, and an Amarillo Symphony musician.

“The eight students that were chosen for the Young Artist Project are from a variety of instruments and backgrounds said Ginger Smith, co-chairman of the Young Artist Project. “ What we saw with each of these students is that they are leaders in their orchestras and their specific sections who were highly motivated and confident in what they do. We paired these young students with area professional musicians who would help and mentor them as individuals and into future music leaders and community supporters.”

The following are the recipients of the Young Artist Project:

Name Instrument School Grade

Matthew Cortez Cello Bowie Middle School 7th
Thomas Diaz Cello Tascosa High School 9th
Oscar Elizondo Viola Bonham Middle School 7th
Zachary Evans Double Bass Amarillo High School 9th
Alex Ma Clarinet Palo Duro High School 12th
Juan Munoz Cello Caprock High School 11th
Erica Rodriguez Viola Caprock High School 9th
Katelyn Seymour Tuba Amarillo High School 9th

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and we look forward to the continued success of these students throughout their music education.

For more information about the program, please visit
www.amarillosymphony.org/education-young-artist-project

About the Amarillo Symphony
Founded in 1924, the mission of the Amarillo Symphony
(www.amarillosymphony.org) is to infuse the Amarillo community with an unbridled enthusiasm for the performance and discovery of great orchestral music. The Amarillo Symphony is the only professional orchestra in the Texas Panhandle and offers an array of successful youth educational programs in addition to regularly scheduled concerts.

The 2014 – 2015 season is sponsored in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Learn more about the Amarillo Symphony at
www.amarillosymphony.org.