The Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra held the 37th Annual Myrna Hershberger Young Artist Competition on Sunday, January 13.  Five young artists competed for the chance to win a $500 scholarship and the chance to perform with the symphony at the March 23rd concert. 

The 2019 Young Artist Competition winners are vocalist Stone Yang and flautist Brooke Oliver.  Yang is a junior at Bartlesville High School and his parents are Qing Yang and Lucy Jiang.  He sang “Largo al Factotum” by composer Gioachino Rossini accompanied by his music teacher, Lesa Steele.

When asked why he entered the competition, Yang responded, “I felt like it was a good opportunity to express my musical ability.”  After graduation, Yang plans to go into electrical engineering.

Brooke Oliver is a senior at Collinsville High School.  She is the daughter of Jim and Jill Oliver and a music student of orchestra member Mary Ann French.  Oliver performed Mozart’s “Concerto in D Major” on the flute and was accompanied by Terry Segress. 

Oliver entered the competition to challenge herself by performing a difficult piece as a soloist and was excited by the thought of playing with the Bartlesville Symphony Orchestra.

The BSO established the Young Artist Competition to foster musical education.  The competition provides young musicians the opportunity for exposure within the community through performance as a soloist at a symphony performance.   Maestro Lauren Green notes, “It’s always exciting to make music with these fine young artists. Every year I am so impressed!”

The concert is Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Bartlesville Community Center.  Tickets are on sale at the BCC box office, calling 918-336-2787 or by visiting: http://www.bartlesvillesymphony.org/.