Marion Harding Freshman Phil Nicol Wins the CSO’s 2014 Young Musicians Competition Senior Division
The Columbus Symphony today announced that 15-year-old percussionist Phil Nicol, a freshman at Marion Harding High School, is the winner of the Senior Concerto Division of the Columbus Symphony’s 2014 Young Musicians Competition. Held at The Ohio State University School of Music, it is an annual competition for young musicians in grades 8-12. Nicol’s outstanding performance of the first movement of the Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra by Ney Rosauro (accompanied by John Holsinger) on the marimba resulted in a $500 award generously provided by the Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony.
Other finalists include:
Paul Schubert, cello; Blake Giesting, string bass; Alexandra Traini, bassoon; Michael Chen, piano; and Abigail Bachelor, harp.
Judges for the finals were Betsy Sturdevant and Jack Jenny of the CSO; Mark Rudoff, professor of cello at The Ohio State University; and Dr. Caroline B. Salido-Barta of Otterbein University.
The Junior Division, which had to be postponed because of inclement weather, has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 22, at The Ohio State University.
About Phil Nicol
Nicol began playing piano at age 6. When it came time to choose an instrument for the fifth grade school band, he chose percussion at the last minute. After a year of drumming, his band director introduced him to the marimba and xylophone. In grade 7, he began taking percussion lessons, learning the four mallet technique and having the opportunity to play a few solos. The following summer, Nicol took up piano lessons with John Holsinger, who then connected him with Ohio Wesleyan University’s percussion professor, Kim Burdett. Dr. Burdett vastly expanded his marimba literature and helped him learn difficult pieces.
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The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, education excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The CSO also appreciates the support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, supporting the city’s artists and arts organizations since 1973, and the Charlotte R. Haller, James W. Overstreet, Kenneth L. Coe, and Jack Barrow funds of The Columbus Foundation, assisting donors and others in strengthening our community for the benefit of all its citizens.
About the Columbus Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1951, the Columbus Symphony is the longest-running, professional symphony in central Ohio. Through an array of innovative artistic, educational, and community outreach programming, the Columbus Symphony is reaching an expanding, more diverse audience each year. This season, the Columbus Symphony will share classical music with more than 175,000 people in central Ohio through concerts, radio broadcasts, and special programming. For more information, visit www.columbussymphony.com.
Contact: Rolanda Copley
614.719.6624
