RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School Announces Concerto & Aria Competition Co-Winners

On Saturday, November 14th, five finalists in the Rhode Island Philharmonic Concerto & Aria Competition performed at the Carter Center for Music Education & Performance with Music Director Larry Rachleff and Resident Conductor Francisco Noya serving as adjudicators. Finalists were selected from an initial round of applicants who submitted recorded performances. Participants included current students from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School performing at a very high level.

Co-Winners: John Duffy, piano and Abigail Siegel, piano
Poulenc's Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor, movement I., Allegro ma non troppo

John Duffy, a senior at Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, began playing piano at the age of six. He now studies under the direction of Ms. Nonetta Shatakhtsian at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. At Hendricken, John has demonstrated versatility as a performer, performing as a member of the Bishop Hendricken Jazz Ensemble, a leader of Hendricken's pit orchestra, and a member of a jazz combo. Aside from his life at Hendricken, John has also participated in a RI Philharmonic chamber ensemble, which performed a Trio Sonata by JS Bach and participated in a master class with Larry Rachleff. Along with this concerto, John has also participated in several collaborative performances, including a performance of "The Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saens and a Bach Concerto for Four Pianos. John has also participated in the annual RIMEA Solo & Ensemble competitions, where he has received seven gold medals and been nominated for the RIMEA Honors Concert audition. John plans to continue his studies in music at the collegiate level, and hopes to major in piano performance.

Abigail Siegel, a junior at Moses Brown School, is a piano student of Nonetta Shatakhtsian at the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. She has completed piano intensive programs at New York University's Steinhardt School and the International Institute for Young Musicians at the University of Kansas, and has attended the Music Institute at Rhode Island College since 2013. A student of the Music School since 2009, Abby has participated in many summer Chamber Music Workshops and Piano Workshops and has played in a number of Piano Department festivals and recitals. She placed 1st in her age division in the Young Artists Piano Competition of Westfield State University and has received numerous gold medals from the Rhode Island Music Education Association for both solo and ensemble performances. Abby was a winner in the 2015 American Protégé Competition and the 2015 American Fine Arts Festival and will play in two winners' recitals at Carnegie Hall later this year. She is a member of the Chopin Student Musicians' Club and has played master classes with Eduardus Halim, Jack Winerock, and Chenggan Yang. Her repertoire includes works of Scarlatti, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Brahms, Rachmaninoff and Khachaturian. Abby is also an accomplished flutist, studying with John Curran and playing in a number of All State Ensembles, All New England Band festivals, the Providence College Festival Band, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra under the direction of Vincent Mattera and the Moses Brown Wind Ensemble and Pit Band under the direction of Stephen Toro. Outside of music, Abby enjoys studying Latin and the Classics.

John and Abby will perform with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra, Alexey Shabalin conducting, in the February 7th RIPYO concert, 3pm. The concert is held at Roberts Hall, Rhode Island College, and tickets are sold online at www.ric.edu/pfa/orderinfo.php and at the door through the RIC box office. Ticket prices are $11/adult, $6/students & senior citizens.

Co-Winner: Faares Deeb, cello
Haydn's Concerto in C Major, Hob VIIb, n.1, movement I., Moderato

Faares Deeb began playing cello at South Kingstown Middle School at the age of 10. At age 13 he ranked 1st in the Rhode Island Junior All-State competition before having a private teacher. Since the fall of 2013 he has been studying the cello privately with Mr. Daniel Harp. In November 2015, Faares ranked 1st in the Rhode Island Senior All-State competition. Since 2012 he has played with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra under the direction of Alexey Shabalin. His solo performances include Lalo's Cello Concerto, Squire's Tarantella and Bach's Suites. He is part of a violin-cello duet, playing at local churches and senior centers. Faares is a junior in the honors program at South Kingstown High School. He enjoys mountain hiking, body-building and swimming.

Faares will perform with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra, Alexey Shabalin conducting, in the May 7th RIPYO concert, 3pm. The concert is held at Roberts Hall, Rhode Island College, and tickets are available online at www.ric.edu/pfa/orderinfo.php and at the door through the RIC box office. Ticket prices are $11/adult, $6/students & senior citizens.

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