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Piedmont Symphony Nurtures Young Artists
Piedmont Symphony Nurtures Young Artists
By Peyton Tochterman
The Piedmont Symphony Orchestra (PSO) under the baton of Music Director Glenn Quader has carved a niche not only in orchestral performances but also in nurturing the next generation of musical talent.
The Young People’s Concert, a cornerstone initiative by the PSO, is more than a competition; it’s a testament to the power of music education and the fostering of young talents.
The concert offers a stage for young musicians to vie for prestigious scholarships. These scholarships are not just financial incentives; they represent a unique opportunity for young artists to perform alongside seasoned professionals in a high-caliber setting.
Underwritten by the WISE Foundation and the Phillip Hughes Foundation, it’s grown in significance and provides substantial awards to its top three finalists.
The 2024 competition was held on Feb. 18, at Highland School’s Center for the Arts in Warrenton. The finalists performed live with the PSO under the watchful eyes of a panel of judges. The first-place winner received a $3,000 scholarship; second was awarded $1,500, and the third place received $1,000. These scholarships underscore the competition’s commitment to supporting young musicians in their artistic and educational pursuits.
This year’s winner, pianist Hiroki Matsui of Battlefield High School in Haymarket, amazed the audience and the orchestra with a spellbinding performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2.
Second place went to violinist Ninghao Zhan of Mountain View High School in Stafford County and third was awarded to violinist Alec Martin of Colonial Forge High School in Stafford.
The competition’s rigorous selection process is designed to identify and nurture young musical talent through a three-stage journey. In the preliminary round, upwards of 15 applicants send in recordings meticulously evaluated to select semifinalists.
Those musicians then perform the required repertoire with an accompanist before a discerning panel of judges. Each semifinalist, except pianists, must bring their accompanist, showcasing their ability to perform collaboratively. From this round, three finalists are chosen, marking their path to the final stage.
“The level each year gets better and better,” Quader said. “This year’s winner demonstrated perhaps the highest musical ability of any competitor we have had to date. The first movement is 22 minutes long. And he blew us all away.”
Said Haroki, “winning this event was due to a combined effort from me, my teacher, Dr. Marjorie Lee, my parents, and the PSO orchestra…I started to prepare for this competition about a year ago. Memorizing the piece took me one month. After memorizing, I feel like the real music making started. Practice time for this competition included three hours a day, and a month before the competition I turned it up to five to then 10 hours a day.”
Participants select their repertoire, thereby taking control of their musical narrative. This autonomy, coupled with the opportunity to perform with a full orchestra, offers young musicians a rare and invaluable experience.
The competition is as much about learning as it is about winning. Participants receive constructive feedback, enabling young musicians to refine their craft further.
Winning or simply participating opens doors to future opportunities, with many using their achievements as a springboard to attend summer training workshops, furthering their musical education and exposure.
The atmosphere of inclusivity and diversity, coupled with the orchestra’s hospitality and support, creates a nurturing environment for young artists. Some participants return to the symphony as professionals, and even join the board.
As for Haroki, “I’m not sure what’s next,” he said. “I’m constantly trying to improve my playing. I’ll continue my daily practice routine, and I hope that more doors will open for me to communicate an emotion or feeling to many others.”
On Saturday, April 27 from 5 to 8 p.m., the Piedmont Symphony Orchestra will hold their second annual gala, “Symphony in Bloom” as a critical fundraising event to support their mission of bringing musical excellence to the Virginia piedmont region. Hosted again by Naj and Margriet Langenberg Husain at their Wildcat Equestrian Farm near The Plains and designed by architect David Jameson of Bethesda. Guests will enjoy renowned vocalists Emily Casey and Nakia Verner, performing the famous “Flower Duet” from Lakme and other works from the American Songbook. Tickets are available for purchase online at https://www.piedmontsymphony.org/spring-gala.
