The 45th Annual Young Artist Competition sponsored by the Friends of the Williamsport Symphony and organized by the WSO Education Committee was held on Sept. 22 at Lycoming College. The competition featured nine contestants performing one movement of a standard concerto for their instrument. 

This year’s Adjudicators were Mr. Rick Coulter, WSO Board Member, Chair of the WSO Education Committee, Director of the Billtown Brass, and former Supervisor of Music for the Williamsport Area School District; Mr. Ruben Council, WSO principal flutist; Dr. Emily Rolka, WSO violinist and Director of the Suzuki Talent Education Studio at Robert M. Sides; and WSO’s Maestro Gerardo Edelstein.

Violinist, Michael Fisher, of Williamsport, was awarded the winning prize for his performance of the 3rd Movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in e minor. The honor includes a cash award and the opportunity to perform with the WSO on the “Holiday Gathering” Concert, Dec. 15, at the Community Arts Center.

Michael, 15, started playing the violin at age four in the Suzuki studio of Mrs. Pat Thayer in Williamsport, PA. He currently studies with Mr. James Lyon of the Pennsylvania State University. Michael is a Sophomore at the Williamsport Area High School and participates in the Williamsport String Quartet, Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra, WAHS Orchestra and Choir, the Millionaire Strolling Strings, and sat as the Concertmaster for 2018 PMEA District 8 Orchestra. He has also performed this past summer with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra.

Last fall, at the MTNA State Competition at Indiana University of PA, he was selected as the Pennsylvania State Representative to the Eastern Region, where he was selected as the alternate. In the spring of 2018 Michael was selected as a winner in the Bloomsburg University Young Classical Artists’ Competition, performed in the winners’ recital at the WVIA studios in Pittston, PA. Michael is an avid runner and participates in the WAHS Cross Country and Track Teams. His goals include attending a music conservatory to prepare for a career in music.

The judges congratulated all participants for the high level of competition, and were pleased to award First and Second Runner up prizes to Ellie Kim, piano, and Ben Deighton, cello, of State College, respectively. Other finalists included Emilie Tupper, Montoursville; Taylor Wentzel, Loyalsock; Rachel Boll, Williamsport; Sadie Wentzel, Loyalsock; Adin Hinojosa, Williamsport; and Gale Szczepkowski, Elysburg.

To attend Michael Fisher’s performance with the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, call 570.326.2424 or visit www.caclive.com for tickets.