YOUTH COMPETITION
SFCM sponsors an annual Youth Chamber Music Competition. Its primary purpose is to encourage students in the Central
New York area, grades 7-12, to discover the joy of preparing and performing chamber music under the guidance of a coach.
2023 COMPETITION
Six groups entered the 2023 SFCM Youth Chamber Music Competition. We were impressed by the competitors' high level of performance, and we commend the coaches for their excellent work. We also thank the two professional musicians who judged the competition: violist Jessica Tumajyan and trumpet player John Raschella.
Ensembles submitted videos for the competition again this year, but we hope to return to live performances with an audience in 2024
The Sapphire Trio, winner of the 2023 Best Ensemble Award, was invited to perform at the beginning of our April 1 SFCM subscription concert just ahead of the Nakamatsu, Frautschi, Manasse Trio. Joseph Werner of The Hochstein School coached the group.
Symphoria violinist Laura Smith coached the string quartet that won the Best Syracuse-Area Ensemble Award.
2023 PARTICIPANTS
These are the winners and competitors from the SFCM Youth Chamber Music Competition held virtually in March.
2023 winner: Best Ensemble
The Sapphire Trio
Coach: Joseph Werner
The Hochstein School (Rochester)
Luke Pisani, violin
Elizabeth Norris, cello
Margaret Bauman, piano
Dvořák: Trio in E Minor, "Dumky," movements 1 & 2
2023 winner: Best Syracuse-Area Ensemble
Coach: Laura Smith
Symphoria
Mia Sakonju, violin
Nagi Aitbayeva, violin
Kari Maxian, viola
Abigail Feng, cello
Schubert: Quartet no. 1, op. 29, "Rosamund" movement 1
Haydn: Quartet no. 17, op. 76-1, movement. 1
ADDITIONAL COMPETITORS
Coach: Peter Guarino
Fayetteville-Manlius High School
Gene Balian, violin
Clare Liu, violin
Elizabeth Hsu, viola
Alex Wu, cello
Max Clark, bass
Dvořák: Quintet in G Major, op. 77, movement 1
Coach: Joseph Werner
The Hochstein School
Benjamin Rosenhack, violin
Alina Ying, cello
Matthew Barry, piano
Mendelssohn: Piano Trio no. 2, op. 66, movement 1
Coach: Bernabe Jorge
The Hochstein School
William Spear, trumpet
Tamsin Spiller, trumpet
Zachery Canning, trombone
Lilah Costanzo, horn
Quinn Considine, tuba
John Cheetham: Scherzo
Victor Ewald: Brass Quintet no. 1 in B-flat Minor
Coach: Miya Saito-Beckman
The Hochstein School
Julian Chumacero, violin
Timothy Seo, violin
Abigail Tyler, viola
Joanna Frank, cello
Caitlin Ott, cello
Boccherini: String Quintet op. 11, no. 5
movements 1 & 2