Hershey Symphony Announces Dual Winners In Fifth Annual Young Artist Competition

HERSHEY, PA – The Hershey Symphony Orchestra held its fifth annual Young Artist Competition Finals on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at Elizabethtown College, Pennsylvania.  Performing as finalists were seven area high school musicians.  In honor of the Symphony’s upcoming celebration of the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, all contestants performed music of Mozart, which included concertos for solo piano, dual pianos, violin, horn, clarinet and operatic arias.

Sharon Ho, piano and Brandon Cedel, vocalist and Julliard student, were named the 2005 Young Artist Competition winners.  Sharon Ho from Leola, PA performed Piano Concerto #26 in D Major, K. 537, "Coronation," Allegro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Brandon Cedel from Hummelstown, PA performed "Non piu' andrai" from Marriage of Figaro.

"We are delighted with the fine range of talent and accomplishment displayed by the Central Pennsylvania area high school musicians who performed during the Symphony's recent Young Artist Competition.  Each year we continue to be impressed with the dedication and artistry of these wonderful young musicians and look forward to sharing and celebrating their music with the community," says Dr. Sandra Dackow, Hershey Symphony Orchestra Musical Director.

Both of the winners will perform as featured soloists during the Hershey Symphony’s 250th “Totally Mozart” Birthday Celebration on January 27th, 2006 at the Hershey Theatre, 8:00 p.m.  Tickets are available for sale now by calling the box office.

“The Hershey Symphony strives to recognize qualified young artists who may not get such opportunities.  There are no losers from this competition, as each student gains by virtue of the work and effort put into this competition.  The competition, regardless of outcome, is a journey in self discovery,” says Young Artist Competition Chair Dr. Michael Rusli.

The mission for the Hershey Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition is to encourage talented student musicians to continue their studies and to recognize qualified young artists who do not have the opportunity for exposure and experience that this Young Artist Competition will provide. The purpose of the Hershey Symphony Orchestra Society is to foster, promote and increase the musical knowledge and appreciation of the general public and volunteer musicians, by operating and maintaining a symphony orchestra and presenting performances of music.  For more information, please call (717) 533-8449 or visit our website at www.hersheysymphony.org.