FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2006

MEDIA CONTACT
Dr. Maria R. Busch
Alice May Director of Education & Community Programs
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Office: 812/425-5050 ext. 316

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC 50TH ANNUAL YOUNG ARTIST COMPETITION SELECT WINNERS

Evansville, Indiana – On Sunday, January 22, 2006, a panel of judges appointed by the Evansville Philharmonic selected winners for the Orchestra’s 50th Annual Young Artist Competition held at the Victory Theatre in downtown Evansville. Twenty-two talented instrumental musicians throughout the Tri-State area in grades 5-12 competed in the competition. Top three prizes were awarded.

The GRAND PRIZE was awarded to Charles Beach of Evansville, Indiana. Mr. Beach’s stellar performance of Prokofieff’s piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major won him an $850 cash prize and the opportunity to perform with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra on their Casual Classics Concert, Sunday, March 19th, 2006. Charles Beach is a junior at Central High School, Evansville, IN.

The second place prize or CONDUCTORS AWARD went to Alec Sievern, also of Evansville, IN. Young Alec’s impressive performance of Beethoven’s piano Concerto in C Major won him a $200 cash prize. At age 11, he was the youngest performer in the contest. Alec Sievern is a fifth grader at Holy Redeemer Catholic School, Evansville, IN.

The third place prize or ORCHESTRA AWARD went to Kelsey Tamayo of Radcliff, KY. Her mesmerizing performance of Alan Hovhaness Fantasy on Japanese Woodprints for marimba and xylophone won her a $100 cash prize. Kelsey is a junior at John Hardin High School, KY.

HONORABLE MENTIONS include Rachel Bennett of Evansville, IN on French horn; Chandra Meibalane of Evansville, IN on violin; Grace Oh of Owensboro, KY on violin; Will Sievern of Evansville, IN on piano; Kaitlin Taylor of Henderson, KY on oboe; and Lauren Wright of Evansville, IN on violin.

The purpose of the Young Artist Competition is to promote, encourage, and nurture the talents of tri-state youth through performance opportunities. The Young Artists Competition is funded in part by the Musicians Club of Evansville/Margaret B. & Leo E. Heim Memorial Scholarship Fund.

For more information on or how to support the Young Artist Competition, please contact the Evansville Philharmonic Education Department at 821/425-5050 ext. 316.

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