Please join us in congratulating the winners, pianist Audrianna Wu from Madison and violinist Julian Rhee from Brookfield. They will be the guest soloists at the Fall Youth Concerts. Stay tuned for photos and bios. Click here for an article about Julian Rhee.

The purpose of the Fall Youth Concerto Competition is to provide outstanding young instrumentalists with the opportunity to perform solo repertoire with John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra at the annual Fall Youth Concerts. It is open to students aged 8-14 (through the 8th grade) who play piano, string, wind, brass or percussion instruments. Winners also receive a scholarship to attend the UW-Madison' Summer Music Clinic. The chance to polish a concerto movement and to perform with a professional symphony before a large audience can be the turning point in the life of a young musician. Preparing for the competition gives young musicians real-world
experience in presenting their very best.

To register, complete the 2011 Registration Form (available Fall 2011) and return it to MSO Director of Education and Community Engagement Michelle Kaebisch. If you need more information, please contact her at 608.257.3734 or mkaebisch@madisonsymphony.org.

When Vivian Wilhelms was in the sixth grade, she was one of the two winners of the Fall Youth Concerto Competition, and she soloed with the MSO during the Fall Youth Concerts. Here’s what she had to say about how the experience changed her life and the lives of many students around her: When I was eight years old, my mom took me to the Fall Youth Concert at the Overture Hall. Different sections of the MSO took turns introducing their instruments, and made it so fun to learn about how the entire orchestra were put together to make beautiful music. Towards the end of the program, a giant grand piano was carefully wheeled out and a boy from Kromrey Middle School sat down and dazzled the audience with his virtuosity. I couldn't believe my eyes that a KID not much older than me can perform on the Overture stage accompanied by a full ADULT orchestra!!! Just then, Mom leaned over and whispered in my ear, "You can be there someday! You can be playing on that beautiful nine-foot Steinway!" When we got home, I started practicing right away.... Mom always said that it would take more than talent to be a good pianist....Now I tried to motivate myself by envisioning that one day I will be good enough to play with MSO in Overture Hall...

...My dream finally came true--I became one of the winners of the 2010 Fall Youth Concerto Competition...The day after, [Michelle Kaebisch, Director of Education and Community Engagement for the MSO] contacted our school. Our principal was so excited that she was nearly in tears! She decided to bus the entire sixth grade, all three hundred of them...to attend my performance! A pep rally was held on Friday assembly and all of a sudden, everyone was talking about Mozart...Kids I don't even know came up to congratulate me...The music teachers obtained the program notes from MSO and went over every piece and the composers with us. In the coming weeks, my swimming friends who are from another town told me that...they were also coming to the concert! My parents invited all my former teachers, family friends and neighbors to celebrate this joyous moment with us.

The concert was sold out. I was to perform not just for my family, school and friends, but for nearly 2,000 audiences coming from schools all over south central Wisconsin! I was so nervous backstage while waiting for my turn to play. As I stepped on to the stage, a nice surprise met me--my school mates occupied a huge section of the orchestra level and my class was seated in the very front row! They all were smiling encouragingly, and I could tell they were giving me a silent "good luck". Smiling, I sat down calmly at the piano and began to play. I felt relaxed and didn't really think of anything else except for my music. After the performance was over, I was greeted with hugs, cards, flowers and more hugs backstage. My very first words to my parents were "I had so much fun--I can't wait to do it AGAIN!"

The concert was two months ago. SInce then, a friend of mine resumed her piano studies that she quit years ago. Two other friends signed up with the neighborhood music school to study piano and voice. My boy classmates, who used to only get excited about football and hockey gave the orchestra the "thumbs-up" and started to think that classical music is pretty "cool". Everybody seems to have a deeper appreciation..

I realized how fortunate I am to be able to play with a professional orchestra at the age of 11. Thank you MSO for the most wonderful opportunity to perform with you on the Overture Stage! I will cherish this moment forever!

Sincerely,
Vivian C. Wilhelms
Sixth Grade, Waunakee Intermediate School

A note from Vivians' Mother:
Fall Youth Concert has been an extremely valuable education tool since its targeted audiences are late elementary and middle school. Most students in this age group have acquired some rudimentary knowledge about classical music, and many are considering either joining orchestra or band as they options become available to them.... In an age when sports rule the afterschool...when music programs are on the chopping block for budget cuts, we need positive experiences like Fall Youth Concert to put classical music in the forefront. I have taken my children to this concert every year...and all the kids loved it! They particularly cheered when the winners of the Fall Youth Concerto Competition made [debuts]. These talented young virtuosos are the best peer role models we can hope for. Please continue your support to the Fall Youth Concert series and I hope to see more talented young muicians shine on...along side of the magnificent MSO! Thank you.

Respectfully yours,
Diying Wilhelms