Bach Festival Society Announces 2013 Young Artist Competition Winners

The Bach Festival Society congratulates the winners of the 21st Annual Young Artist Competition, held on Saturday, November 23. Over 45 entrants from around the state competed, with twelve prize-winning contestants advancing to the final round. The finalist recital was open to the public and was enjoyed by over 150 guests. The top three winners are listed below along with the piece each performed for the final round of judging.

Grand Prize Winner

Matthew Hakkarainen, violin

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28 by Camille Saint-Saëns

2nd Prize Winner

Mia Shoquist, Piano

Winter Park, FL

Paganini Etude No. 6 in A minor by Franz Liszt

3rd Prize Winner

Natalie Vlach, piano

Ponte Vedra, FL

The Fountain of the Acqua Paola, Op. 7, No. 3 (from Roman Sketches) by Charles Griffes

Other Competition Finalists listed in alphabetical order:

Michael Creighton, baritone, Winter Park, FL
Joana Gonzalez, piano, SW Ranches, FL
Shelby Griswold, mezzo-soprano, Orlando, FL
John Horzen, violin, Orlando, FL
Madeline Mangas, soprano, Apopka, FL
Evan Musgrave, double bass, Ormond Beach, FL
Jiye Park, flute, Oviedo, FL
Johnathon Pitts, trumpet, Kissimmee, FL
Colton Potter, oboe, Orlando, FL

About the Competition: This competition, generously sponsored by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation and presented in partnership with the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, drew high school students from across Florida to compete for a combined prize purse of $5,000 in four categories: piano, strings, brass/woodwinds, or voice. Past winners have gone on to study at prominent schools such as The Juilliard School and Northwestern University, and many now lead successful music careers.

About the Bach Festival Society: The mission of the Bach Festival Society is to inspire the human spirit through great classical music, featuring powerful choral performances, as we celebrate the legacy of J.S. Bach. The 2013-2014 Season is the Society's 79th year of presenting outstanding musical offerings to the Central Florida community.

Located in Winter Park, Florida, the Bach Festival Society is one of the longest continuously operating Bach Festivals in the country and among America's great oratorio societies. The Bach Festival Society brings the highest caliber of classical music to Central Florida. Performances are held in the intimate settings of Tiedtke Concert Hall and Knowles Memorial Chapel on the beautiful campus of Rollins College.

For more information regarding the season or to order tickets, please call the Bach Festival Society at 407.646.2182 or visit us online at www.BachFestivalFlorida.org.

Pictured: Winners Natalie Vlach, Matthew Hakkarainen, Mia Shoquist. Photo courtesy Bach Festival Society.

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