Veazie teen BSO finalist in concerto competition

BANGOR – Jury members for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra Maine High school Concerto Competition have chosen six high school musician finalists, including a student from Veazie.

This group of exceptional young musicians will compete for the chance to play his or her winning piece with the entire Bangor Symphony Orchestra at the Symphony’s March youth concerts.

The winning musician also receives the Annas-Cupp Award, which is a cash prize of $500. Friends of the Symphony Awards for excellent musicianship are given to the second place, third place and honorable mention winners.

Finalists were selected by a panel of professional musicians who represent the BSO and reviewed their audition tapes and written applications.

The finalists are:

. Meredith Rachel Crawford, violinist, from Veazie. Crawford is a freshman at Orono High School.

. Kieran Brooks Hutchinson, flutist, from Waterville.

. Elise M. Kopesky, clarinetist, from Camden.

. Meghan West McFarland, flutist, from Durham.

. Katherine Anne Petitt, pianist, from Gorham.

. Mesa D.G. Schubeck, pianist, from Blue Hill.

Diane Kern, BSO education coordinator, said, “Opportunities for young musicians such as the concerto competition give them a taste of what being a professional musician is all about. For many of the competition’s past winners, this experience gave them that additional drive to pursue music as a career.”

Bangor Symphony’s six concerto competition finalists are now preparing to audition in person at Minsky Recital Hall at the University of Maine, Orono.

Musicians will play their audition pieces before the competition jurors and fellow competition finalists, as well as their friends and family. The audition will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. The event is free and open to the public.

Once the winner is announced, he or she will rehearse with the symphony for the three youth concerts that will be held March 18 at the Maine Center for the Arts.

School children from across the region will attend to watch the competition winner play with the entire Bangor Symphony Orchestra. The youth concerts are also open to the public with advance reservation.

For information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra Maine High School Concerto Competition audition on Jan. 19, or the symphony’s youth concerts March 18, call 942-5555 or (800) 639-3221 or check www.bangorsymphony.com.