BANGOR – Jury members for the Bangor Symphony Orchestra Maine High School Concerto Competition have chosen six high school musician finalists, who will compete for the chance to play their winning piece with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra at the Symphony’s March Youth Concerts.

The winning musician also will receive 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.

The finalists are: Meredith Rachel Crawford of Veazie, violinist; Kieran Brooks Hutchinson of Waterville, flutist; Elise M. Kopesky of Camden, clarinetist; Meghan West McFarland of Durham, flutist; Katherine Anne Petitt of Gorham, pianist; Mesa D.G. Schubeck of Blue Hill, pianist.

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

Finalists were selected by a panel of professional musicians, representing the BSO, who reviewed the audition tapes and written applications. The six are preparing to audition in person at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Minsky Recital Hall at the University of Maine. The musicians will audition before the competition jurors and fellow competition finalists, as well as their friends and family. The audition is free and open to the public.

Once the winner is announced, he or she will arrange to rehearse with the symphony for the three Youth Concerts on March 18, 2002, at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono. Schoolchildren from across the region will attend the youth concerts, which are open to the public with advance reservation.

For information call 942-5555, (800) 639-3221 or visit www.bangorsymphony.com.