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ASO Presents State’s First Young Composers Concert

March 31, 2011
  • Who: The Austin Symphony Orchestra
  • What: The Texas Young Composers Concert
  • When: April 20, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
  • Where: Dell Hall, Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Dr.
  • Cost: General Admission - $8
  • Contact: Don Hill, Director of Public Relations - 476-6064 x 213

The Austin Symphony Orchestra and the Long Center for the Performing Arts are proud to announce they will produce a first in the State of Texas: The Texas Young Composers Concert. This first-ever concert will take place on Wednesday, April 20th and will present the world premiere of 12 new orchestral works composed by Texas students age 18 and under.

Compositions were chosen from 25 entries to the Austin Symphony’s 1st Annual Young Composers Competition held this past Fall. Four of the compositions submitted were premiered during the ASO’s High School Concerts Tour in January.

“With so many qualified entries, we wanted to showcase more compositions,” stated ASO Executive Director Anthony Corroa. “This concert will premiere the top 12 entries and is a wonderful addition to the ASO Education programs. It is very difficult for young composers to have their composition played by a professional orchestra. Many orchestras are not willing to take a chance on the new works and the young composers. It is our hope that the ASO’s Young Composers Competition and Texas Young Composers Concert will encourage young Texas composers and nurture future masterpieces.”

The winning composers chosen to have their pieces premiered by the Austin Symphony include:
Sam Melnick, Bowie High School, Austin
Matthew White, Stony Point High School, Round Rock
Jared Beu, McNeil High School, Round Rock
Wyatt Hahn, Cedar Park High School, Cedar Park
Wells Leng, Westwood High School, Round Rock
Christian Paarup, Baylor University, Waco
Brennan Anderson, LBJ High School, Austin
Mickailis Molina, Byron P. Steele High School, Cibolo
Samuel Hooper, Westlake High School, Austin
Behnam Arzaghi, Lubbock High School, Lubbock
William Campbell, Austin Waldorf School, Austin
Jack Roberts, Alamo Heights High School, Alamo Heights

Tickets for the Texas Young Composers Concert are available beginning March 1st at the Austin Symphony Box Office, (512) 476-6064, or the Long Center Box Office, (512) 474-LONG. General Admission seats are $8.