Local Talent Competes for Young Artist Title

HERSHEY, PA - The Hershey Symphony Orchestra has selected six finalists for its eighth annual Young Artist Competition.  On Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 7:30 p.m., the Symphony will hold the finals for the Young Artist Competition at Zug Recital Hall, Elizabethtown College.   The competition finals are open to the public and free of charge.  Advanced notification of attendance and tickets are not required.

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 winner will be announced immediately following the concert at the reception, which is also open to the public.  Judges for the competition are accomplished musicians and each student receives a critique with suggestions and encouraging comments.

The following young artists have been selected as the finalists and will perform a movement from a concerto with their accompanist before the panel of independent judges on March 26, 2008:

Brittany Conrad, Piano, from Willow Street, PA 
Phillip Martin, Piano, from Mt Joy, PA.
Hilary Zirkle, Clarinet, from Boiling Springs.
Emily Owsinski, Viola, from Lititz, PA.
Xiaopei Xu, Piano, from Lititz, PA.
Bryce Walburn, Alto Saxophone, from East Petersburg, PA.

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.