Sammamish Symphony Orchestra

2008 Youth Concerto Competition

The Sammamish Symphony Orchestra held its annual Youth Concerto Competition on Saturday, March 8th, 2006 at Music Works Northwest in Bellevue, Washington. Many talented young musicians sent in applications and recordings. There were 12 finalists selected. The breakdown by instrument was 6 pianos, 5 violins, and 1 voice.

We were pleased to have a very distinguished judging panel: R. Joseph Scott, Music Director and Conductor of the Sammamish Symphony Orchestra ; John Pilskog Assistant Concertmaster with Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and Concertmaster with the Auburn Symphony; and Mark Salman, Concert Pianist.

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

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 Competition:

First Place	Michael Lee, piano	Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor
Second Place	Jila Dabestani, piano	Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major
Third Place	Grace Choi, violin	Brahms: Violin Concerto in D

The first-place winner, Michael Lee, will perform as a featured soloist with the Sammamish Symphony on Sunday, June 8th, 2008.