Orchestra names winner of contest

BANGOR – The Bangor Symphony Orchestra awarded Will Bristol the Annas-Cupp Award for his piano performance of Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major.

Six finalists performed concertos in a public recital at the 27th annual BSO Maine High School Concerto Competition on Feb. 23 at the Minsky Recital Hall, University of Maine.

Bristol, a freshman at the Merriconeag Waldorf High School, received first prize, a $500 Annas-Cupp Award and the opportunity for a future concerto performance with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

Second place was awarded to violinist Kendra Lenz, a junior at Bangor High School, for her performance of Pablo de Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25. She will receive a $250 Friends of the Symphony award.

Third place was granted to Max Winter, a senior at Orono High School. His performance of Edouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor was honored with a $150 Friends of the Symphony award.

Anna Linehan, a cellist from Bangor, received Honorable Mention. Other finalists were cellist Harim Park of Scarborough and Emily Steingart, bassoonist, from Yarmouth.

Open to all Maine high school students, the BSO Maine High School Concerto Competition offers each year’s winners the chance of a lifetime – to perform with the full Bangor Symphony Orchestra.

The 2007 winner was violinist Heather Thomas of Belgrade. She will be guest soloist for the BSO’s fifth concert of the season on April 12 and 13 at Peakes Auditorium, Bangor High School. She will perform the first movement of Tchaikosvky’s Concerto for violin, op. 35 in D major. She also will perform at BSO’s Youth Concerts on Monday, May 12, at the Bangor Auditorium.

Information on the Maine High School Concerto Competition and other BSO concerts is available at www.bangorsymphony.com, or by calling 942-5555 or 800-639-3221.