Applications Available For GBS Young Musicians’ Competition

BRIDGEPORT — Applications are available for Greater Bridgeport Symphony’s (GBS) Carlson-Horn Competition for Young Instrumentalists.

Sponsored by the Hersher Family Foundation, the two-day event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, January 29-30, at The Jewish Center for Community Services, on Park Avenue near Merritt Parkway Exit 47. Sunday’s finals at 1 pm will be open to the public with no admission charged.

Cash prizes of $400, $200, and $100 – along with special award certificates – will be given to the top three finalists. The first prizewinner will also be invited to audition for GBS’s internationally known conductor Gustav Meier.

Many past contestants have appeared with the orchestra and have become recognized artists.

Sixteen-year-old violinist Ada Pasternak of Fairfield, the 2004 winner, made her debut at the symphony’s opening concert of its 59th season this year on October 23 and received a standing ovation for her “spectacular” (CT Post) performance of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

The competition, now entering its 24th year, is open to all instrumentalists between the ages of 13 and 18 who live or study in Fairfield or New Haven counties.

Contestants must be prepared to perform one movement of a concerto plus a work from a contrasting composer, period and tempo. Total performance time for both pieces is limited to 12 minutes at the preliminaries and 15 minutes at the Finals. Contestants must supply their own accompanist. Comments from the panel of professional judges will be available to each contestant.

Students are urged to apply early, as audition space is limited to the first 25 applicants. The deadline for filing an application is January 3, 2005.

Applications may be obtained through the GRS office by calling 203-576-0263 or online at www.BridgeportSymphony.org.