Austin Receives Standing Ovation at Viterbo University!
Austin and Anna with Joe at the Rising Stars Competition in Janaury.
As the winner of the prestigious regional “Rising Stars Concerto Competition” of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra in January, Austin Frohmader performed last Saturday night to a near-full house of eleven hundred concert goers at the Theatre of Viterbo University, La Crosse Wisconsin. He received a wildly enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience. This marvelous opportunity to perform on a subscription concert of the La Crosse Symphony was part of his Anna Beth Culver Award, which also included a $2,000 monetary award. We look forward with great anticipation for a DVD of the performance from the La Crosse Symphony. Hopefully, we will be able to share it with everyone right here on our web-site. There is no rest for Austin as he left the next day for Bloomington, Indiana to interview for scholarship at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. It is one of the most prestigious music schools in the land, and the world’s largest. Next week, he is off to Houston where he will audition for Nancy Weems at the University of Houston (where Kenny Broberg and Joshua Tan are currently full-scholarship students), and at Rice University. Just as he returns the final weekend of the month, he will leap head-long into a taxing week of a dress rehearsal and six performances with our world-renowned Minnesota Orchestra (more on that shortly!).
As we reported earlier, Anna Waldron was awarded Third Prize in the “Rising Stars” as she rendered deeply warm and captivating performances in both the Prelims and Finals. The audience’s response to Anna’s playing was – in return – equally warm and deeply appreciative.
Noah Chojnacki had a wonderful month as he followed up his Honorable Mention in the “Rising Stars” with reaching the finals of the Young Peoples’ Symphony Concert Association (YPSCA) of the Minnesota Orchestra. Noah presented a gorgeous performance of MacDowell’s Second Concerto at Orchestra Hall. His performance was wonderfully organic, had great forward flow, and contained exquisite artistic detail. His tone was powerful, colorful, yet unfettered, as he filled the vastness of Orchestra Hall with sound.
Our huge month of January continued with a good showing in the Mozart Concerto Competition as Christina Waldron and Nita Qiu both received Honorable Mention.
Lucas Jones rounded out our events with a great performance at the University of Colorado, Boulder. Lucas represented our State of Minnesota in the National Regional Competition of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) – one of the largest and most prestigious competitions in the nation. Although Lucas did not come away with any of the top awards – this time!! – he represented our state with class and highest artistic values.
We turn now to the big spring events of the Thursday Musical and Schubert Club Competitions in March, and our much anticipated Spring Celebration Recitals at Sundin Music Hall in April. The brochures for our Young Artist World Piano Festival should be arriving this week and we will begin to make plans for the pinnacle event of our artistic year!
Yours in Music!!
Joe & Jo Anne
February Performance Classes
We look forward to seeing everyone at the February performance classes this Sunday, February 12, 2012. The performance orders have been posted and may be downloaded from the Calendar page. Please check carefully on the performance order sheets to see which class your child will be performing with.
The classes will be held at the NEW Schmitt Music location in Edina- Southdale Square (on 66th & Xerxes). The start times for the classes are posted below:
- Young Performers/ Junior Young Artists @ 12:15pm
- Young Artist Class 1 @ 1:30pm
- Young Artist Class 2 @ 3:15pm
CHS Students Shine at Rising Stars Concerto Competition
We are proud to announce that three of our young artists took home awards from the Rising Stars Concerto Competition in January, held at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wi. Austin Frohmader performed an exciting Hungarian Fantasy by Franz Lizst, and won the $1000 Anna Beth Culver Award. Austin has also been invited to perform with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra this Saturday . Anna Waldron won the $500 Lynne and Robert Trine Piano Award and Noah Chojnacki received honorable mention for their notable performances. Congratulations young artists!
We understand that not everyone could make the drive out to La Crosse, Wi to listen to Austin play this weekend, so we decided to bring his performance to your home computer! Below, please enjoy Austin’s winning performance from the competition last month.
January Performance Classes
Happy New Year!
Our next performance classes will be on Sunday, January, 15, 2012. The performance orders have been posted and may be downloaded from the Calendar page. Please check carefully on the performance order sheets to see which class your child will be performing with.
The classes will be held at Schmitt Music at the Galleria in Edina. The start times for the classes are posted below:
- Young Performers/ Junior Young Artists @ 12pm
- Young Artist Class 1 @ 1pm
- Young Artist Class 2 @ 3pm
December Performance Classes
Our next performance classes will be on Sunday, December 4, 2011. The performance orders have been posted and may be downloaded from the Calendar page. Please check carefully on the performance order sheets to see which class your child will be performing with.
The classes will be held at St. Paul Conservatory of Music in downtown St. Paul. The start times for the classes are posted below:
- Young Performers/ Junior Young Artists @ 2:30pm
- Young Artist Class 1 @ 3:45pm
- Young Artist Class 2 @ 5:15pm
