Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra holds annual Young Artist Competition
NORTHERN MICHIGAN — Eleven young area musicians competed in the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s (GLCO) annual Charles F. Davis Young Artist Competition on Sunday, April 21 at Petoskey United Methodist Church.
Students entering the competition this year were from Boyne City Public Schools, St. Michael High School in Petoskey, Charlevoix Public Schools, Harbor Light Christian School in Harbor Springs, and homeschool settings, performing on violin, viola, cello and voice.
Cellist Lena Sytsma-Reed, a junior at Charlevoix High School, was named Grand Prize winner, performing Haydn Cello Concerto #1 in C Major. Sytsma-Reed is a student of the Dorothy Gerber Springs Program of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts, led by director Dr. David Reimer. Sytsma-Reed will have the opportunity to perform the same concerto with the GLCO orchestra in the 2024-25 season.
Mezzo-Soprano Catherine Hayes, a senior at St. Michael, won first place. Hayes will also be invited to sing at a GLCO concert in the coming season and will be attending Hillsdale College in the fall.
Tied for second place were Katie Schepperley and Blaise Sytsma-Reed. Schepperley auditioned on both viola and violin, winning with her viola piece. A homeschool student from Indian River, she will be attending college this fall. Sytsma-Reed is a violinist and sophomore at Charlevoix High School. Both students have been invited to perform at a Sunday Series recital next season along with a GLCO ensemble.
Winners were given cash awards to be used toward music lessons or summer music camp.
“There are many talented student musicians in our local area,” said Dr. Libor Ondras, GLCO music director and conductor, who was a judge in the contest. “We appreciate the time and effort students take to prepare for this valuable experience. Hats off to their music instructors and families as well!”
For more information about the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, visit glcorchestra.org.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra holds annual Young Artist Competition
