Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota Launches Nationwide and Local Student Scholarship Competitions
In 2016, the organization’s prestigious young musician’s competition will transition from a state-wide competition to a national competition. The organization is also partnering with the Sarasota Music Club to launch a competition for young musicians who attend high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
(Sarasota-Manatee) Since its inception in 2007, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s statewide young musician’s competition has become one of the most prestigious competitions in Florida, awarding nearly $250,000 to 66 talented young musicians in nine years. Many past winners have gone on to study at leading music conservatories and pursued successful music careers. The competition rotates each year between singers, pianists, and string instrument players.
But that’s about to change. The 2016 competition, which is the “National Competition for Voice,” will mark the program’s transition from a state-wide competition to a national competition—open to young musicians, ages 18 to 28, who live in the United States.
Why open it to applicants across the nation?
“Over the years we’ve been fortunate to have renowned music professionals judge our competitions, which has attracted the interest of students far beyond the borders of our state,” says Lee Dougherty Ross, director of competitions and community outreach for Artist Series Concerts. “We decided that our 20th anniversary was the perfect time to celebrate and expand the program by opening it to young people from across the country. It will attract thousands of industry professionals and hundreds of young musicians to our organization and to the Sarasota-Manatee region.”
Dougherty Ross adds that the three judges for the 2016 competition, which takes place on April 16, 2016, include legendary tenor George Shirley, recipient of a National Medal of Arts presented by President Barak Obama in September 2015; Mikael Eliasen, dean of vocal studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia; and distinguished soprano Irene Gubrud, a first-prize winner of the prestigious Naumburg International Voice Competition.
Drawing further focus to the competition will be a concert on Friday, April 15, by mezzo soprano Lauren Eberwein as part of the International Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute.
But there’s more news.
“We’re initiating a new competition for young musicians who attend high schools in Sarasota and Manatee counties,” says Dougherty Ross. This competition is presented in partnership with the Sarasota Music Club, and is open to 10th through 12th grade students in Sarasota and Manatee counties, with $20,000 in prize monies. Dougherty Ross says that detailed information about the local competition is forthcoming.
“One of the primary goals of the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota is to take an active role in building the next generation of professional musicians by providing support to promising young musicians,” says John Fischer, managing director of Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. “As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, our focus is on the future. Nurturing emerging young musical talent for generations to come is now and will remain a major focus in our mission.”
For more information about the 2016 National Competition for Voice and to download application forms, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org.
Since 1996, Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota has presented an ever-expanding annual season of concerts by globally renowned and celebrated emerging artists. The 20th anniversary 2015-2016 season runs through May 2016 and includes 12 concerts in its “Classical Recital Series,” 12 concerts in its “Pop Series,” six special concerts, six “Soiree Series” performances and another North Port concert series. Three “Lunch, Look and Listen” events are also scheduled. For more information about the Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota’s 2015-2016 season, visit www.artistseriesconcerts.org or call 941-306-1202.
