Getting their Big Break

Last year’s winners pictured here with competition
sponsor Ida Wilkof are Natasha Snyder, placed second
on violin and Patrick Broder, placed first on bassoon.

Reminder: Applications must be postmarked by Sept. 29

Each year, up-and-coming young musicians from across the region compete for the opportunity to perform as soloists in a concert with the Sarasota Orchestra. This is a valuable chance to make a professional debut, what many accomplished artists wait years for.

The Edward and Ida Wilkof Young Artists Concerto Competition was established in 1966. The Wilkofs wanted to plant a seed in talented youth and encourage them to aspire to professional heights. The couple’s endowment is an outgrowth of the artistic devotion Mr. Wilkof has shown to the Sarasota Orchestra for decades, as a generous philanthropist and longtime member of the orchestra’s Board of Directors.

This year's preliminary competition will take place on Oct. 17, 2009 at 2 p.m. in Holley Hall within the Beatrice Friedman Symphony Center, 709 N. Tamiami Trail, in Sarasota. Finalists will compete Nov. 14, 2009 at 2 p.m. also in Holly Hall. The public is invited to attend the final round, free of charge, and enjoy all of the brilliant competitors’ pieces.

The Young Artists Concerto Competition winners will perform at the Sarasota Orchestra’s Side-by-Side concert on Feb. 13, 2009. Tickets are available for purchase by calling the box office (941) 953-3434 or (866) 508-0611 or online.

Those interested in entering, may click here for contest rules, application and repertoire approved for the competition. For further information, please contact the Sarasota Education Department: (941) 487-2730.

  Congratulations to the 2009 Finalists

Kiley Arbo – Violin

Jennifer Bolmer – Violin

Patrick Broder – Bassoon

Reema Khadre – Violin

Nicholas L'Heureux – Saxophone

Natasha Snyder – Violin