Sammamish Symphony Orchestra

2006 Youth Concerto Competition

The Sammamish Symphony Orchestra held its annual Youth Concerto Competition on Saturday, January 28th, 2006 at the Eastlake Performing Arts Center in Sammamish, Washington. Many talented young musicians, ranging in age from 6 to 18, sent in applications and recordings. There were 12 finalists selected. The breakdown by instrument was 5 pianos, 5 violins, 1 flute, and 1 double bass.

We were pleased to have a very distinguished judging panel: R. Joseph Scott, Music Director and Conductor of the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra ; John Pilskog Associate Concertmaster with Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Concertmaster with the Auburn Symphony; and Kimberly Russ, Keyboard Artist with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.

Our thanks also goes out to our hard working support staff: Dita Hagen, James White, Scott Sellevold, Mark Wiseman, Dr. Myrl Venter and Dr. Linda Wiseman.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2006 Competition:

First Place	Mikaela Holland, violin	Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35
Second Place	Helen Cho, violin	Saint-Saens: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso in A minor
Third Place	Nathan Vedal, double bass	Bottesini: Concerto No. 2 in B minor

The first-place winner, Mikaela Holland, performed as a featured soloist with the Sammamish Symphony on Sunday, April 30th, 2006.