Calling All Budding Musicians: The Philadelphia Orchestra Now Accepting Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition Applications, Due November 30

Annual Competition Recognizes Extraordinary Young Talent in Greater Philadelphia Region

(Philadelphia, November 19, 2011)–The Philadelphia Orchestra is currently accepting applications for the Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition, an annual competition recognizing and rewarding exceptional young talent in the Greater Philadelphia region. All vocalists, pianists, and instrumentalists who reside in, or study regularly with a teacher who resides in, the Greater Philadelphia area are invited to apply for their chance to perform with the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra and win a cash prize.

Entrants are divided into categories by age: children’s division (ages 12 and under), junior division (ages 13 to 16), and senior division (ages 17 to 21 for instrumental applicants and 17 to 29 for vocal applicants). Each entrant is carefully evaluated against several criteria: virtuosity, artistic individuality, projection, and overall talent. A panel of judges determines the winners, to be announced on March 27, 2013.

In 1933 Leopold Stokowski initiated the first Philadelphia Orchestra Student Competition, later named in 1992 after a generous endowment gift from the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation. The Competition is one of many programs underscoring The Philadelphia Orchestra’s unwavering commitment to education and arts cultivation in youth and young families. Programs like Musicians in the Schools, eZseatU (an annual college student membership program), and the Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition impact over 17,000 elementary, middle, high school, and college students annually. In addition to its work with students, the Orchestra remains committed to engaging young families in the local community and the community at large, with interactive programs such as Sound All Around (for children ages 3-5) and Family Concerts (for children ages 6-12). Additionally, the Billy Joel School Concert Program—created through a generous gift from Billy Joel in 2008—provides financial and curricular support to over 80 city elementary and middle schools each year. The Orchestra also offers learning programs just for adults, including free PreConcert Conversations before every subscription concert, Lecture/Luncheons with guest speakers, and Post-Concert Conversations—offering an unparalleled opportunity for concertgoers to ask questions about the music they have just heard, and connect with the artists in a more intimate and personal way.

Previous winners of the Competition, many of whom have gone on to successful international solo careers, include soprano Benita Valente; pianists Eugene Istomin and André Watts; and violinist Hilary Hahn. Many current Philadelphia Orchestra musicians are also former winners of the Competition including violinists Richard Amoroso, Yayoi Numazawa, and Yumi Ninomiya Scott; violist Burchard Tang; bassoonist Mark Gigliotti (co-principal); bass trombone Blair Bollinger; and pianist Kiyoko Takeuti.

Applications must be submitted online by 5:00 PM on November 30, 2012. A check or money order in the amount of $50.00, payable to The Philadelphia Orchestra Association, must be postmarked no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, November 30, 2012, and be sent with a photocopy of the applicant’s government-issued identification. For more information including Competition guidelines, audition times, and the online application, please visit www.philorch.org/greenfield. Questions regarding the Philadelphia Orchestra Albert M. Greenfield Student Competition can be directed to greenfield@philorch.org.

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