The New England String Ensemble is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Flute Competition. For the past 4 years, NESE has given flutists 18 and younger a place to showcase their skills by preparing and competing to perform as soloist with a professional orchestra. The First Place winner receives $500 and a solo performance with conductor Federico Cortese and the orchestra in season finale concerts on Saturday, April 14 at 7:30 at the Rogers Center in North Andover and 3pm Sunday, April 15 at NEC’s Jordan Hall.
This year’s Flute Competition drew entrants from all over New England. From this pool of applicants a panel of judges selected 11 finalists for the Open Division and 3 finalists for the Under-14 Division. The final live auditions for the Competition were held March 7 at New England Conservatory judged by renowned flutists, Doriot Anthony Dwyer and Fenwick Smith, both retired from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The First Place winner in the Open Division is 17-year-old Brendan Ryan, who will perform Bach’s Suite No.2 in B Minor with the orchestra. Brendan has been studying flute for 9-years. His teacher, Judy Grant, faculty member at Boston College, Brookline Music School and the All Newton Music School, commented on his success: “Brendan is a dedicated and capable student. A versatile player, he is equally accomplished performing music from the Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and Modern eras. Brendan develops his flute talent with a strong work ethic and a mature musicianship well beyond his years. He's got it all!” Currently, Brendan is Principal Flute for the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Senior Orchestra (GBYSO) and is also a member of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at New England Conservatory Preparatory School. He has participated in summer music programs at Kinhaven and Encore Coda. In addition to his regular orchestra performances, Brendan has also had solo appearances, performing movements from Mozart’s Flute and Harp Concerto and Telemann’s Concerto in A minor at Jordan Hall in Boston.
Second Place winner, Nicholas Fitton of Cotuit, MA will receive a $300 scholarship. Third Place Winner, Jenny Kang of Belmont, will receive a $100 scholarship. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Elizabeth Kalenik of Hollis, NH and Michelle Stockman of Sandown, NH. The Under-14 winner was Catherine Jones of Mount Vernon, NH, and she will receive a $200 Savings Bond.
Peter Stickel, executive director and co-founder of New England String Ensemble, remarked that “this area is a world center of flute activity, with many of the flute manufacturers located here, and arguably the two most accomplished flutists in New England history gracing the Competition, perennial judges Fenwick Smith and Doriot Anthony Dwyer. We’re told over and over that the chance to play for Ms. Dwyer and Mr. Smith is a chance of a lifetime for these young artists.”
The Competition prizes will be awarded at the upcoming spring concert on April 15th at Jordan Hall in Boston. The concert, showcasing this year’s String and Flute Competitions winners, begins with the romantic Lyric Suite of Alban Berg, and follows with the exquisite harmonies of J.S. Bach’s Suite No. 2 in B minor performed by flutist Brendan Ryan. The first half continues with cellist Tony Rymer, First Place winner of the String Competition, performing the virtuosic Haydn Concerto in C. After intermission the critically acclaimed Ensemble presents the lyrical and spirited Serenade in E by Antonin Dvorak.
In addition to its emotionally gripping performances and Youth Competitions, the orchestra continues in its mission "to engage, educate, and inspire with passionate string performances and innovative community programs" by supporting music programs in the schools with String Fever at the elementary level, Kids to Concerts for middle-schoolers and the New England Musical Heritage Initiative at the high school level.
Immediately following the April 15th concert is NESE’s gala benefit reception “Jazz Pizzicato” at Symphony Hall. Each year the orchestra presents a “Muses and Mentors” award to a great artist shaping the next generation. This year’s recipient is violin virtuoso Roman Totenberg. Contributions from this event will allow the orchestra to bring its educational programs to more schools helping to encourage a lifetime of artistic satisfaction, and creating the audiences, performers, and arts advocates of the future.
For more information regarding the New England String Ensemble’s educational programs, or concert series please call 781-224-1117 or visit www.newenglandstringensemble.org.
