The Philharmonic Friends sponsor a Young Artist Solo Concerto Competition each year for young students through the age of 18.  The winners of each division receive cash prizes of up to $1000. All participants will receive a voucher for two tickets to a Fort Wayne Philharmonic Concert (Masterworks, Choral, or Freimann). Entrants must live within a 100-mile driving distance of Fort Wayne and have studied with their present teacher for at least six months.  

Entrants perform a movement from a concerto or other standard orchestral work for solo instrument with published accompaniment. The audition piece, with orchestral introduction and interludes, must not exceed 10 minutes. All selections must be memorized. All performers need to provide their own accompanist for  the audition. The performance is judged by professors of music from area universities, and each participant receive written comments to encourage future improvement.

The 2019 competition was held Saturday, November 16, 2019 at the Purdue University-Rhinehart Music Center.

Contact Laura McCoy at (260) 414-4509 or lauramccoy56@gmail.com for more information.

2019 Fall  Young Artist Competition Winners The winner of the junior division and a $500.00 scholarship is Miki Sachiko (13), a pianist from Findlay, Ohio. Miki played Concerto No. 2 by Dmitri Shostakovich. Winning a scholarship of $250.00, the second-place winner in the Junior Division is Clara Bingamon, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Clara is 13 years old, is a home-schooled student, and studies the violin with Janet Guy-Klickman, also of Fort Wayne. Clara competed performing Banjo & Fiddle by William Kroll. The winner of the senior division and a $1000.00 scholarship is Trinity Le from Avon, Indiana. Trinity is17 years old and studies piano with Dr. Robert Palmer of the Ball State University School of Music. Trinity competed by playing Concerto # 5 in F major by Camille Saint-Saens. Trinity is a student at Avon High School and will be performing with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra at a family concert in the near future. Winning a scholarship of $750.00, the second-place winner is Mishael Paraiso, from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mishael is 17 years old and studies violin with Mimi Zwieg of the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Mishael competed by playing Symphonie Espagnole by Edward Lalo. He is a home-schooled student and sits as Concert Master of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra.

2018 Fall  Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the senior division and a $1000.00 scholarship is Maya Kilburn from Yorktown, Indiana. Maya is15 years old and studies violin with Mimi Zweig at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Maya competed by performing Concerto in D major by Tchaikovsky and will be performing with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra at the April 28 Family series concert.

The winner of the junior division and a $500.00 scholarship is Tierra Raiti (13), from Toledo, Ohio. She studies the violin with Penny Kruse, at Bowling Green State University and played the first movement of the Mozart Violin Concerto in G major #3.

2017 Fall  Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the junior division and a $500.00 scholarship is Christian Lo (13), a violinist from Fishers, Indiana. Christian studies the violin with Chin Mi Kim, of Carmel, Indiana. Christian played Violin Concerto in G major by Giovanni Battista Viotti.

The runner-up of the junior division is Emi Kawamura (13), a pianist from Findley. Ohio. Emi studies with Kathleen Price of Findley, Ohio. She competed by playing Concerto No. 3 in D Major (Youth) by Dmitri Kabalevsky. Emi will be receiving a $250.00.00 scholarship as the result of her place in the competition.

The winner of the senior division and a $1000.00 scholarship is Lydia Rhea (16), a cellist from Fishers. Indiana. She studies with Hans Jensen of the Northwestern Bienen School of Music, Evanston, Illinois. Lydia played the Cello Concerto in B minor by Antonin Dvorak. Lydia will be performing with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday, January 21, 2018, at the 2:00 p.m. family concert in the Auer Performance Hall, Rhinehart Music Center, on the IPFW campus.

Winning a scholarship of $750.00, the second-place winner is Maya Kilburn from Yorktown, Indiana. Peter is 14 years old and studies violin with Mimi Zwieg, of the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Maya competed by playing Henri Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No 5.

2017 Spring Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the junior division and a $500.00 scholarship is Christian Lo(13), a violinist from Fishers, Indiana. Christian studies the violin with Chin Mi Kim, of Carmel, Indiana. Christian played Violin Concerto in G major by Giovanni Battista Viotti.

The runner-up of the junior division is Emi Kawamura(13), a pianist from Findley. Ohio. Emi studies with Kathleen Price of Findley, Ohio. She competed by playing Concerto No. 3 in D Major (Youth) by Dmitri Kabalevsky. Emi will be receiving a $250.00.00 scholarship as the result of her place in the competition.

The winner of the senior division and a $1000.00 scholarship is Lydia Rhea (16), a cellist from Fishers. Indiana. She studies with Hans Jensen of the Northwestern Bienen School of Music, Evanston, Illinois. Lydia played the Cello Concerto in B minor by Antonin Dvorak. Lydia will be performing with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday, April 30, 2017, at the 2:30 pm Family Concert in the Auer Performance Hall, Rhinehart Music Center, on the IPFW campus.

Winning a scholarship of $750.00, the second-place winner is Maya Kilburn from Yorktown, Indiana. Peter is 14 years old and studies violin with Mimi Zwieg, of the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Maya competed by playing Henri Vieuxtemps Violin Concerto No 5.

2016 Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the junior division and a $500.00 scholarship is Maya Kilburn (13), a violinist from Muncie, Indiana. She studies the violin with Mimi Zwieg, of the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. Maya played Zigeunerweisen by Pablo De Sarasate.

The runner-up of the junior division is Eric Yun (12), a pianist from Granger, Indiana. Eric studies with Geena Kam of Granger, Indiana. Eric competed by playing Piano Concerto in D major by Haydn. Eric will be receiving a $250.00.00 scholarship as the result of his place in the competition.

The winner of the senior division and a $1000.00 scholarship is Anna Nordmoe (16), a violinist from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She studies with Stephen Shipps of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Anna played the Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor by Max Bruch.

Winning a scholarship of $750.00, the second-place winner is Peter Rutkowski from Granger, Indiana. Peter is 16 years old and studies piano with John Blacklow of the University of Notre Dame. Peter competed by playing Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major.

2015 Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the junior division and a $250.00 scholarship is Mishael Paraiso (13), a violinist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He studies the violin with Olga Yurkova of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mishael played the Concerto in A minor by Jacque-Pierre Rode.

The runner-up of the junior division is Kate Ward (13), a violinist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She studies with Derek Reeves of Fort Wayne. Kate competed by playing Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Melodies) Op. 20 in C minor. Kate will be receiving a $125.00 scholarship as the result of her place in the competition.

The winner of the senior division and a $500.00 scholarship is Rebekah Rexroth (16), a pianist from Auburn, Indiana. She studies with Dawn Hopkins of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rebekah played the Grieg Concerto in A minor.

Winning a scholarship of $250.00, the second-place winner is Mark Bixel from Bluffton, Indiana. Mark is 17 years old and studies piano with Kathleen Price, of Findlay, Ohio. Mark performed the Khachaturian Concerto in Db Major.

2014 Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the Junior Division and a $750.00 scholarship is Mary Grace Rudolph (13), a violinist from Columbia City, Indiana. She studies the violin with Timothy Tan of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Mary Grace played the Mendelssohn Concerto in E minor.

The runner-up of the Junior Division is Bethany Bobbs (11), a cellist from South Bend, Indiana. She studies with Chris French of Houston, Texas. Bethany competed by playing the Haydn Cello Concerto No. 1 in C. Bethany will be receiving a $500.00 scholarship as the result of her place in the competition. Senior Division

The winner of the Senior Division and a $1,000 scholarship is Zachary Brandon (15), a violinist from Battle Creek, Michigan. He studies with Hye-Sun Lee, of Chicago, Illinois. Zachary played the Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2.

Winning a scholarship of $750.00, the second-place winner is Brandon Xu from Carmel, Indiana. Brandon is 17 years old and studies the cello with, William Grubb, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Brandon performed the Elgar Cello Concerto.

The Friends would like to give special thanks to Tri Kappa of Fort Wayne for being our 2014 Corporate Sponsor.

2013 Young Artist Competition Winners

The winner of the Junior Division and a $750.00 scholarship is Lydia Rhea (13), a cellist from Fisher, Indiana. She studies the cello with Kurt Fowler of Indianapolis, Indiana. Lydia played the Lalo Concerto in D minor, Movement 3.

The runner-up of the Junior Division is Geoffrey Ladue (10), a pianist from Granger, Indiana. He studies with Linda Witchie of Granger Indiana. Geoffrey competed by playing the Haydn Concerto in C Movement 2. Geoffrey will be receiving a $500.00 scholarship as the result of his place in the competition.

The winner of the Senior division and a $1,000 scholarship is Sang Jun Park (15), a pianist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He studies with Alexander Klepach, also of Fort Wayne. Sang Jun played the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 51, Movement 1.

Winning a scholarship of $750.00, the second-place winner of the Senior Division is Rebecca Luppe, from Kalamazoo, Michigan. Rebecca is 17 years old and studies the piano with Susan Uchimura, also of Kalamazoo. Rebecca performed the Schumann Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 51, Movement 1.

• Many thanks to Chair Laura McCoy, Judges Assistant Ed Goetz and Pat Day, Jan Ormiston, Diane McCammon, Samm Johnson and John McFann for keeping things well greased and ahead of schedule.
• Thanks also to Barb Mansfield who handled the hospitality and to Marylou Hipskind and Kathie Sessions who organized the food donations.
• Special thanks to Subway owner, Jeff Siebecka, the Phil Board's treasurer for providing sandwiches.

The winner of the junior division is Andrew Ganahl (11), a pianist from South Bend, Indiana. He studies piano with his mother, Hyeja Chong Ganahl. Andrew played Concerto in F Major Op 102 Movement 3 by Dimitri Shostakovich. The runner-up is Rebekah Rexroth (13), a pianist from Auburn, Indiana. Rebekah studies with Dawn Hopkins, from Fort Wayne, Indiana, and she played the Mozart Concerto in C Major No. 21 Opus 467 Movement 3.

The winner of the senior division is Jiwon Park(16), a pianist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. She studies with Dr. Robert Palmer from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana. Jiwon played the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, Opus 18 Movement 1.. Second place winners is Carolyn Ronning, from Noblesville, Indiana. Carolyn is 17 years old and studies cello with Dr. William Grubb, of the Jordan School of Music at Butler University. She performed the Lalo Cello Concerto in D minor, movement number 1.

The judges and the committee offer their sincere congratulations to the winners and their thanks to all participants. The judges were very impressed with the performances and the level of competition. We appreciate your being part of the Young Artist Competition, and hope to see you next year.

2010 Young Artist Competition Winners

Out of 18 competitors (up from last year), the judges picked the following:

The winner of the junior division is Benjamin Meulink (13), a marimba player from Warsaw, Indiana. He studies with Dr. Erwin Mueller, from Ball State University. Benjamin played Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra in A minor, Opus 34, Movement 1, by Robert Kurka. The  runner-up is Caleb Stuckey (13), a pianist from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Caleb studies with David Leichty, from Grabill, Indiana, and he played Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus 16, Movement 1, by Grieg.

The winner of the senior division is Marissa Uchimura (16), a pianist from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She studies with Jill Christian of Mattawan, Michigan. Marissa played Piano Concerto No 2 in G minor, Opus 22, Movement 1, by Saint-Saens. For the first time in the history of the Young Artist Competition, we have a tie for second place in the senior division. Second place winners are Rebecca Luppe and Thomas Huntington. Rebecca is 15 years old and studies piano with Susan Uchimura, of Western Michigan University. She performed Beethoven's Concerto Number 1 in C Major, Opus 15. Thomas is a 17-year-old violinist and he performed Concerto in D Major, Opus 77, Allegro Giocoso, Movement III, by Brahms. Thomas studies with Shmuel Ashkenasi, of Chicago, Illinois, professor of violin at the Curtis Institute of Music.

For some pictures from the competition, go here.

The Friends would like to give special thanks to Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC for being our 2010 Corporate Sponsor.