Philadelphia Orchestra announces details of annual
Greenfield Student Competition

Student Competition applications due November 25; preliminary auditions held

February 7 - 14; final auditions take place in Verizon Hall February 17

(Philadelphia, November 10, 2005)

The Philadelphia Orchestra has announced details of the 2006 Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition. Talented young student musicians of the Greater Philadelphia area are invited to participate in the Competition, with each winner receiving a cash award and the opportunity to perform as soloists with The Philadelphia Orchestra during the 2006-07 season. Applications for the Competition must be postmarked no later than Friday, November 25, 2005. Preliminary auditions will be held at The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts February 7, 9, 10, and 14, 2006, and the final round of auditions in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center on February 17, 2006. Results of the Competition will be announced at an open reception following the final round of auditions.

“The Greenfield Competition gives The Philadelphia Orchestra an opportunity to recognize and celebrate extraordinary student musicians in the Philadelphia area and to afford them a chance to develop as performers,” said Philadelphia Orchestra Director of Education and Community Partnerships Sarah Johnson. “The Competition, part of the Orchestra’s long history of encouraging young people in the pursuit of musical excellence, is further enriched by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach’s commitment to identifying and nurturing gifted young musicians.”

The Greenfield Student Competition is open to all accomplished young instrumentalists and vocalists. Applicants in the instrumential division compete in three categories: children’s division (ages 12 and under), junior division (ages 13-16), and senior division (ages 17-21). The vocal division is restricted to applicants between the ages of 17 and 29. (All ages are calculated as of the first day of auditions, February 7, 2006.) Entrants compete against a standard of excellence –not each other – and are evaluated based on exceptional talent, artistic individuality, virtuosity, and projection as a performer. Winners are named at the discretion of the judges.

Applicants must reside or study regularly with a primary teacher who resides and teaches in Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, or Philadelphia counties in Pennsylvania; Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, or Mercer counties in New Jersey; or New Castle County in Delaware. Winners each receive a cash award and the opportunity to perform as soloists with The Philadelphia Orchestra during its 2006-07 season.

Since the first Student Competition was initiated by Music Director Leopold Stokowski in 1933, more than 400 young artists have appeared as Competition winners. Many have gone on to develop international solo careers, including pianists Richard Goode, André Watts, and Helen Huang; violinists Jaime Laredo, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, and Hilary Hahn; mezzo-soprano Florence Quivar; and bass Eric Owens.

Several winners have gone on to become members of The Philadelphia Orchestra, including violinists Richard Amoroso, Michael Ludwig (associate concertmaster), Yumi Ninomiya Scott, and Yayoi Numazawa; violist Burchard Tang; bassoonist Mark Gigliotti (co-principal); bass trombonist Blair Bollinger; and pianist Kiyoko Takeuti.

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s tradition of presenting educational programs dates back to 1921 when Leopold Stokowski initiated a series of concerts exclusively for children. Today, the Orchestra reaches Philadelphia area residents, teachers, students, and children each year through its numerous education and community partnership programs. The Philadelphia Orchestra presents a variety of programs for young people, including Sound All Around (for children ages 3-5), Family Concerts (for children ages 6-12 and their families), and School Concerts (for students in grades 2-12). The Orchestra also offers learning programs for adults including free PreConcert Conversations before every subscription concert, and Lecture Luncheons with guest speakers. 

Applications for The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2006 Greenfield Student Competition must be postmarked no later than November 25, 2005, and mailed to the address below. A non-refundable $25 registration fee must accompany each application. For more information or to request an application, please call the Orchestra’s Education and Community Partnerships Office at 215.893.3141 or visit online at www.philorch.org/education.

The Philadelphia Orchestra
Education & Community Partnerships Office
260 South Broad Street, 16 th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102-4297