Final Round of UCA/CSO High School Concerto Competition
Open to the Public at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16
The final round of the second University of Central Arkansas/Conway Symphony Orchestra High School Concerto Competition is open to the public at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 16 in the recital hall of the Snow Fine Arts Building at UCA in Conway. There is no charge to attend.
Eleven high school students from Conway, Van Buren, Stuttgart, Dardanelle, North Little Rock, Little Rock, Brinkley and Fort Smith have entered the competition.
“This is a great representation from across the state of some of our finest high school musicians,” said Carolyn Brown, Associate Professor of Music at UCA, principal flute and Board member for CSO, who organized the competition. The event is co-sponsored by the University of Central Arkansas and the Conway Symphony Orchestra.
Winners will be chosen from the woodwind, brass and string divisions to win a $350 prize. Then the three winners will compete in the final round and the overall winner will receive an additional $500 grand prize, the “Phillip Gullic Award,” generously donated by Kim and Phillip Gullic of Conway.
Judges are Kelly Johnson, Professor of Clarinet at UCA, principal clarinet for the CSO, also musician for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and clarinetist for the Sunaura Trio; Linda Hsu, Associate Professor of Violin and Chamber Music at UCA, and Concertmaster for the CSO, also Arkansas State President for the American String Teachers Association; and Denis Winter, Professor of Music (trombone and euphonium) at UCA, principal trombone for the CSO, also trombonist for Pinnacle Brass, the Faculty Brass Quintet in Residence at UCA.
Now in its 24th season, the Conway Symphony Orchestra exists to create meaningful experiences through performances and education. Originally a joint project of the music departments at Hendrix College and University of Central Arkansas, the CSO roster is composed of both professional and pre-professional musicians. Through the support of corporate and individual donors, the CSO keeps tickets affordable, making the enjoyment of classical and popular music available to the entire community.
