2012 Under-23 Concerto Competition Winner, William McLeish
The Guelph Symphony held the finals for its Under-23 Concerto Competition on Sunday, April 29 at the Recital Hall at the Guelph Youth Music Centre. The three finalists, violinists Sarah Velasco and Rebecca Young and cellist William McLeish wowed the audience and adjudicators.
We are pleased to announce that William McLeish was declared the winner, and will subsequently be performing with the GSO during its 2012-13 Season. William is a second year student at the Glenn Gould School.
History of the Under-23 Concerto Competition
In 2002, the GSO initiated the competition to offer talented young musicians the opportunity to perform a full concerto as part of our regular concert series. Each year a different instrumental category is offered – piano, strings and wind. The age was carefully selected to be open to students who are working on or have completed their undergraduate studies.
Past Winners;
- 2002 Sarah Choi (piano) Schumann Concerto
- 2003 Judith Manger (cello) Saint-Saens Concerto No 1.
- 2004 Cecilia Kang (clarinet) Weber and Mark Laver (Saxophone) Glazunov
- 2005 Todd Yaniw (piano) Beethoven “Emperor” Piano Concerto
- 2006 Desiree Abbey (cello) Saint-Saens Cello Concerto
- 2007 joint winners Colin Liu (clarinet) and Winston Hind (tuba)
- 2008 Ben Chapman (piano) Saint Saens Concerto no 2
- 2009 Amir Safavi (violin) Bruch Concerto in G
- 2010 Afendi Yusuf (Clarinet) Mozart Clarinet Concerto and Hugo Lee (oboe) (16 yr old! youngest ever) Bellini Oboe concerto
- 2011 Sarah Whynot (piano) Ravel Piano Concerto in G minor
COMPETITION
Applicants must submit a performance on CD of at least one movement of a concerto or selections from two contrasting movements. The competition jury will select up to four finalists for the live audition in front of the jury. Each finalist must provide their own piano accompanist for the live audition and should be prepared to play all of the concerto, as requested by the jury. Finalists will receive a written critique of their performance. The public is welcome to attend the final round of the competition and see the stars of the future!
For queries or additional information contact the GSO Artistic Committee at astringquartet@rogers.com.
