The NCVS 2020
Young Violists Competition
Results:
First Prize: Emily Hwang
Second Prize: Pearl de la Motte
Third Prize: Vincenzo Calcagno
Best Bach Performance: Emily Hwang
Best New Piece: Pearl de la Motte
Judges’ Award: Skyler Li
The judging panel, Cassandra Lynne Richburg, Clio Tilton, and Matthew Young are to be commended for their thoughtful deliberative process and the valuable advice given to each competitor. Pianists Lori Lack and Young Lee provided strong musical accompaniment for our young performers.
The five outstanding young finalists were Vincenzo Calcagno (Vallejo), Pearl de la Motte (Lemon Grove), Emily Hwang (Palo Alto), Skyler Li (Milpitas), and Sihyun Jeon (San Jose). The audience was treated to outstanding performances from all.
We heard movements from the Walton and Forsyth Concertos as well as Bruch’s Romanze and Weber’s Andante and Hungarian Rondo. The young musicians also each performed a movement from a Bach Cello Suite and the work which received the 2019 NCVS Composition Prize, a solo viola piece by Denise Ondishko titled "Cogitatio". We all went home energized about what the future holds for those who love string music in general, and viola playing in particular.
Many thanks to all the competitors, their families, and their teachers for joining us in forwarding our mission to promote the highest level of viola playing throughout Northern California. We are grateful to the Community Music Center and to Katie Wreede for arranging the use of the facilities. The event was made possible through the efforts of NCVS board members Daria D’Andrea, Katie Wreede, Ivo Bokulic, Patty Heller, Tom Tatton, and volunteers Polly Tatton and Kevin Jim. We were able to raise funds to meet a matching challenge grant from a generous Anonymous Donor which allowed us to fund the prizes and expenses. We are ever grateful for the continued financial support from our members and fans which ensures the future of this event. For next year, we are looking for a new venue for the finals concert since the CMC will be closed for extensive renovations. If you have an idea for a venue with a recital hall and several practice rooms, send us a note at: norcalviola@gmail.com
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ViolaMANIA! 4.0 The Post-Election Edition happened at the Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse 11-11-19
Thanks to San Francisco Chamber Orchestra's Classical at the Freight, ViolaMANIA 4, The Post-Election Edition, was possibly our
biggest and best violafest yet. The Northern California Viola Society
invited you to bring a viola and join us in our
latest attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the Most
Violists Playing Together. Hear the Bay Area’s top violists and learn a
few new viola jokes. Don’t miss the fun and great viola ensemble
music next time. See the ViolaMANIA page for more info---------------------------------
Coach with a Pro! Dust off your Telemann and join us for one or more of our new coaching evenings led by local viola luminaries to help participants with tricky spots, bowings, fingering tips and ensemble practice. We'll have good times with the Telemann! These will be informal events located around the area. See the Coach with a Pro page
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2019-20 Composer Competition The NCVS is no longer accepting submissions of works for unaccompanied viola for our 2019-20 composition contest. For more information, click here.
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The 2019 YVC winners:
1st Place - Sophia Ines Valenti (Santa Rosa)
2nd Place, Best Bach and Best New Piece -Sydney Whipple (Oakland)
3rd Place - Vincenzo Calcagno - (Vallejo)
The Northern California Viola Society was honored to host the talented young Finalists who performed with Collaborative Pianist Extraordinaire, Lori Lack, on the afternoon of March 10th, 2019 at the San Francisco Community Music Center for our Young Violists Competition.
The six finalists and hometowns (in alphabetical order):
Vincenzo Calcagno - (Vallejo)
Emily Hwang - (Palo Alto)
Shinwho Kwun- (San Ramon)
Yannie - (Redwood City)
Sophia Ines Valenti - (Santa Rosa)
Sydney Whipple - (Oakland)
2019 NCVS YVC Details
March 10th
2:00-4:00pm
Awards, reception-4:30
Awards, reception-4:30
(12pm finalists warm-up)
Community Music Center
544 Capp St., San Francisco
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2019 NCVS YVC JUDGES
Ruth Ellen Rose, Violist with Earplay, Professor at UC Davis and UC Berkeley
Dr. Tom Tatton, former president of the American Viola Society
Patricia Whaley, Principal Violist with Symphony Silicon Valley
Patricia Whaley, Principal Violist with Symphony Silicon Valley
Email ncvs@norcalviola.org with questions.
