45th Annual Young Artists Competition (YAC)
Piano and Winds, Brass & Percussion
January 26, 2013 at Whittier College, Whittier, CA
Benjamin Hopkins, 45th Annual YAC Piano Category Winner
The 2 categories for the 2013 contest are Piano and Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion. The entry fee is $50 and application may only be made through our website by clicking on the Young Artists Competition Application.
The contest is limited to the first 25 eligible students. Applicants must be residents of California not older than age 26 at the time of the competition.
Contestants are to prepare a full concerto or concert piece and a solo piece of contrasting style. Selections are to be performed from memory unless prior arrangements are made with the Young Artists Competition chairman.
Applicants will provide their own accompanist and original scores of their music will be made available for the judges.
The two top winners will perform as soloists either at the orchestra’s final concert May 5, 2013, or the first concert of the 2013-2014 season in the fall of 2013, one at each separate performance. Each will also receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Musicians placing second in each category will receive $500 cash prizes.
For more information, please call the Symphony Office at (562) 698-8626.
Winners of the 45th Annual YAC!
Jonathan Sywulka, 45th Annual YAC Winds, Brass & Percussion Category Winner
Two aspiring young musicians, a pianist and a trumpet player, won the Rio Hondo Symphony's 45th annual Young Artists Competition January 26, 2013, in the Chapel at Whittier College. A total of 9 musicians were registered to participate.
They are Benjamin Hopkins, 22, pianist from USC's Thornton School of Music, who placed first in the piano category. Jonathan Sywulka, 22, trumpet player from Whittier, won in the woodwind, brass & percussion category.
In addition to receiving $1,000 cash prizes, the two winners will appear as soloists at 2 of the orchestra's concerts. Jonathan Sywulka will appear at the "Symphonic Spectacular" concert on May 5, 2013. Benjamin Hopkins is slated to appear at a concert in the Fall of 2013.
Placing 2nd among the pianists was Theodora Martin, 19, from University of California at Berkeley. Honorable Mention in the piano category was Zoe Lu, 21, from Fremont, CA
Judges for the day-long event, eminent performers/teachers selected to represent expertise within the various categories, were: Wayne Reinecke, Conductor Emeritus, Rio Hondo Symphony, Ms. Anna Krendel, Concert Pianist, and Ms. Maria Perez-Goodman, Concert Pianist. Chairing the competition was Bob Orpin, Past President, Rio Hondo Symphony Assn.