The Nittany Valley Symphony Guild Announces
the 35th Ann Keller Young Soloist Concerto Competition
for Piano and Instruments grade 9-12. (no organ)
Saturday November 23, 2024
Room 122 PSU School of Music Music Building II from 1:00pm-5:00pm
Application and $25 entrance fee deadline : Must be received by Nov. 1, 2024
ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOT AVAILIBLE
Winner will win $250 and perform with the Nittany Valley Symphony
Second place winner will win $100.
For Questions or more information please contact:
Teri Smith 2465 Buchenhorst Rd State College 16801
814-238-5964
The Ann Keller Young Soloist Competition is an opportunity for serious pianists and instrumentalists, grade 9-12. Contestants compete for a first place prize of $250, a performance of their contest piece with the Nittany Valley Symphony at the family concert, a professionally-recorded CD of the concert, complimentary tickets for immediate family, and a framed certificate. The second place prize is $100.
This competition is named in honor of the woman to whom we owe the birth of the Nittany Valley Symphony over 50 years ago, Ann Keller. Her tireless efforts organized the Symphony to perform in concerts and in schools to add to the musical growth of the community. Sponsored by the The NVS Guild, this competition is currently chaired by Teri Smith.
Contest RULES
1. Open to students grades 9-12, piano and instruments only. No Organ. First place winners may not compete the following year on any instrument.
2. Music: One movement of a concerto or concert piece with an existing orchestral part not exceeding 12 minutes in length.
Memorization is required for pianists and strings, and is strongly recommended for other instruments.
Music Director reserves the right to decide the feasibility and suitability of the piece. Winner MUST play the piece used in audition.
3. Accompanists must be provided for all instruments by the contestant.
Three copies of your music with measures numbered may be needed for the judges, one of which must be an original.
All photocopies are destroyed afterwards. Piano reduction scores are required, not just the solo line.
4. Students must live within the following counties: Centre, Blair, Clearfield, Clinton, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Snyder, Lycoming,or Union.
5. Dress appropriately. No jeans, No t-shirts, nor shorts. A Tux, dark suit, or long gown is standard for concert attire.
6. Contestants are asked to return at 5:00 p.m. for awarding prizes.
7. No student may have access to the piano before the auditions
Congratulations to the 2018 Ann Keller Young Soloist winner,
Ellie Kim!
Five incredibly talented young musicians participated in our competition this year, held on November 11. Competition winner, Ellie Kim, piano, performed Concerto #2 in F minor, Op. 21, mvt. I by Frederic Chopin with the Nittany Valley Symphony at our Family Concert on February 24, 2019.
2018-19 Competition contestants
Ellie Kim (1st place) – Ellie is a senior at State College Area High School and studies piano with Christopher Guzman
Anisha Prabhu – Anisha is a sophomore at State College Area High School and studies with Sally Williams Minnich
Michael Fisher (2nd place) – Michael is a sophomore at Williamsport Area High School and studies with James Lyon
John Rose – John is a senior at Hollidaysburg Area High School and studies with Carol Lyon
Ananya Tadigadapa – Ananya is a sophomore at State College Area High School and studies with Naomi Seidman
Previous Young Soloists
