In 2003, DePaul University’s Community Music Division initiated a bold and unique new event — they started a concerto festival to give many young musicians an opportunity to perform with a full symphony orchestra. Over the next fifteen years, the Festival expanded from piano to violin and then to many of the concerto instruments of the classical orchestra, now including viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon. Each year, over a hundred young performers come to audition at the DePaul School of Music, with the process reaching its conclusion in an exciting, annual concert. The winners in each division perform a movement of a concerto at the DePaul Concert Hall (800 W. Belden, Chicago) with the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago.

Mina Zikri (Photo courtesy of LX MGMT)

It was in 2007 that Mina Zikri, founder and Music Director of the Oistrakh Symphony of Chicago, first began conducting these remarkable concerts, and on Saturday, March 25 Zikri will once again accompany the winners of the Junior Division competition in piano, violin, and viola.

“Of all of our expanding approaches to the Music For All vision that drives the Oistrakh Symphony,” Zikri says, “Perhaps none are more consistent with that vision than this Concerto Festival. This is an opportunity not just for young musicians, but for all of those who support their hopes and efforts, to come and enjoy the real inspiration of music.”

Susanne Baker, Director of the Community Music Division, states, “The DePaul Concerto Festival for Young Performers draws the top talent in the city, giving these outstanding young instrumentalists a chance to experience true music-making with  Mina Zikri and the Oistrakh Symphony musicians.”

WINNERS
Junior Division Concerto Festival

PIANO:
Karen Cai (Haydn, Concerto in D Major, Hob. XVIII:11, Mvt. 3),
Joshua Park (Hadyn, Concertino (Divertimento) in C Major, Hob. XIV:4, Mvt. 1),
Noah Kim (Haydn Concerto in F Major, XVIII:3, Mvt. 3),
Freya Pang (Kabalevsky, Concerto in D Major, Op. 50, Mvt 1)

VIOLA:
Ella Saputra (Telemann, Concerto in G Major, TWV 51:G9, Mvt. 2),
Sofia Radovic (Telemann, Concerto in G Major, TWV 51:G9, Mvt. 4)

VIOLIN:
Linda Wang (Accolay, Concerto No. 1 in A Minor),
Riko Pang (Bach, Concerto in A Minor, BWV 1041, Mvt. 1),
Rebekah Kim (Vivaldi, Concerto in A Minor, Op. 3, No. 6, Mvt. 3)