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New Music Director Thierry Fischer (above) led the Utah Symphony and some of the state's most gifted young musicians in the 51st annual "Salute to Youth" concert at Abravanel Hall Tuesday at Abravanel Hall.
This year two pianists, five violinists, one soprano and one mezzo-soprano joined the orchestra to perform different concerto movements. These nine young musicians either had to qualify from preliminary auditions or from the Youth Guild recital auditions.
I was pleased to see that works from two of my favorites, Sibelius and Rachmaninoff, were chosen, although there was a curious lack of Beethoven. (Oh, well. Maybe next year.)
Each one of the performances was a delight (although by using that word I am afraid I am giving the impression I am an 70-year-old man). Highlights included Douglas Benson Ferry's broad smile as he played the violin alongside Maren Davis during the melodic and vivacious Vivaldi's Concerto in A Minor, as well as a moving aria performed by soprano Anna Victoria Humphries, who sang as Cleopatra, lamenting the alliance she has formed with Julius Caesar, which has incensed her brother Ptolemy.
But the undeniable highlight was 12-year-old Shenae Anderson, who performed Pablo De Sarasate's "Gypsy Airs." The Summit Academy seventh-grader performed a piece writen by a violin virtuoso himself, and just as it was a showcase of De Sarasate's mastery of the instrument, it showed off Anderson's nimble fingers and the ability to switch between four different tempos. With the exception of talented pianist Anthony Cheng, she was the youngest performer of the evening, and her enthusiasm stole the show from the rest of the performers — although each was a credit to the state, with these artists hopefully leading the Utah Symphony to new heights in the coming years.
Here was the program info, provided by the Utah Symphony: Antonio Vivaldi Concerto in A Minor for two violins and strings, op. 3, No. 8, RV 522, "L'Estro Armonico" AllegroMaren Davis, ViolinDouglas Benson Ferry, Violin George Frideric Handel "Piangero la Sorte mia" from Giulio Cesare Anna Victoria Humphries, Soprano Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216Allegro David Price, Violin Jean Sibelius Violin Concerto in D Minor, op.47 Allegro moderatoSamantha Anderson, Violin INTERMISSION Pablo de Sarasate Zigeunerweisen, op. 20 "Gypsy Airs"ModeratoLentoUn poco più lentoAllegro molto vivace Shenae Anderson, Violin Giacomo Puccini "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi Rebecca Pedersen, Mezzo Soprano Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23, K. 488 in A Major AllegroAnthony Cheng, Piano Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, op.1 Vivace Natalie Coombs, Piano ARTIST PROFILES Samantha Anderson, 17, is a senior at Hillcrest High School. She has been studying violin since she was 4 years old. She currently studies with Ralph Matson and is a former student of Deborah Moench, Eugene Watanabe, Natalie Reed and Gerald Elias. She received honorable mention in the 2010 UMTA Concerto and the 2009 MTNA string division competitions. She won 3rd place in the Utah Upper Division in the 2010 Stradivarius Competition. Samantha performed on "From The Top" in October 2009 with the Gifted Music School Orchestra. She loves teaches violin to young students. She is also a member of many service group organizations including National Honors Society, Draper Youth Council, Peer Leadership Team, and is a counselor for special needs mutual. She was a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2009 and 2010. She is the second of four daughters of Travis and Heidi Anderson in Draper. Shenae Anderson, 12, began studying the violin at age three with Deborah Moench. Shenae won first place in the 2008 Utah State Fair Music Competition in Elementary String Division and was chosen to play with Utah Symphony on the 2008 Salute to Youth concert. She was the second place winner in the 2009 Stillman Kelly Competition, and was chosen as Alternate winner in MTNA Divisional Competition in Hawaii in 2010. Shenae is also a winner of the Youth Guild Music Competition in 2010 and recently won second place in the Utah Junior Division of the Stradivarius International Violin Competition. She performed with the Riverton Metropolitan Orchestra in 2008 as a soloist, and performed on "From the Top" as a member of the Gifted Music School Orchestra. Shenae lives in Draper and is the youngest of four daughters of Travis and Heidi Anderson. She is in 7th grade at Summit Academy. Anthony Cheng, 11, lives in Sandy, UT. He is a student of Professor Gary Amano. Anthony started playing piano at age six and his previous piano teachers include Ms. Ya Liu and Mr. Luke Hancock. Anthony has participated and won top prizes in various competitions, including 1st place at the 33rd DeBose National Piano Competition, 2nd place at the 2010 UMTA Piano Concerto Competition, 1st place at Utah State University Piano Festivals and many others. Anthony has always enjoyed playing piano for the residents at different senior facilities and he has accompanied his school's choirs and musical plays. Besides piano, Anthony loves math, soccer and skiing. He is the 2010 National Geography Bee Utah Champion and won 6th place in the national finals in Washington D.C. Anthony attends Midvale Middle School. Natalie Coombs, 17, made her orchestral debut with the Utah Symphony in the 2004 Salute to Youth concert. In January of 2009, Natalie was the winner of the MTNA Senior Piano in the Southwest Division Competition in Tucson, Arizona. She went on to the 2009 MTNA Senior Performance Competition as a national finalist in Atlanta, Georgia. She earned top prizes at the Utah Youth Guild Recital Competition in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 as well as multiple awards at the Utah State University Piano Festival and the Utah State Fair Music Competition. Natalie has performed numerous times as a soloist and with her family throughout the intermountain area, including for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Natalie studies piano with Professor Gary Amano. Maren Davis, 15, currently studies violin with Leonard Braus. She began violin at 3 1/2 under Deborah Moench and currently studies piano with Bridget Johannsen. She was a Youth Guild Competition Winner in 2007, 2008 and 2010. She won the Elementary String Division in the Utah State Fair Competition in 2008. Maren represented the state of Utah at the MTNA Long Program Competition in January 2009 and received an honorable mention. She is a member of the Gifted Music School Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Watanabe. She is a sophomore at South Summit High School and lives on a little farm in Oakley, Utah. Douglas Benson Ferry, 16, is student of Ralph Matson, Concertmaster of the Utah Symphony. He began his violin studies at age 3 with Deborah Moench. Doug was the 2009 1st place winner of the American String Teachers Association String Festival at WSU and the third place winner of the 2007 Stradivarius International Violin Competition Middle Youth Category. He has placed in the Utah State Fair Competition and was an honorable mention winner in the Utah Symphony Youth Guild Auditions. Doug has received nine superior ratings each on violin and piano from the National Federation of Music Clubs. Doug is a member of the Gifted Music School Orchestra conducted by Eugene Watanabe which was recently featured on the nationally acclaimed radio program, "From the Top." Doug is a junior at Box Elder High School where he is a 4.0 honor student and enjoys cross country, track, orchestra, and choir. He loves riding his horse and raising sheep and steers for the Box Elder County Fair. He is the son of Ben and Meg Ferry of Corinne. Anna Humphries, 17, has taken first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition in 2009 and 2010. She has soloed with the International Children's Choir at Assembly Hall and Libby Gardner Hall. She was a finalist in the 2009 auditions for Salute to Youth with the Utah Symphony and Utah Valley Symphony. She was a featured performer at The Fisher Mansion Gala with Mayor Becker in 2010, and was chosen to perform with the Timpview High School Symphonic Orchestra in their annual Concerto/Aria concert. She is currently studying with Darrell and Jennifer Babidge and attends Timpview High School as a senior. Rebecca Pedersen, 18, has represented her high school, American Leadership Academy, at the State Solo and Ensemble competitions for three years where she has received coveted 1 rankings. She received superior ranks at the National Shakespearean Competition and has participated in many school musicals and reviews. Rebecca loves to share her love for music and has performed for many organizations throughout the state. Most recently she sang at the Handcart Pageant in Nephi, Utah for an audience of over 6,000 people. Rebecca was awarded a scholarship by Utah State University's music department where she will continue her music education in vocal performance. She has been privileged to train with Serena Benish, a graduate of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and current Department Head of Vocal Studies at Utah Valley University. David Price, 18, son of Dan and Susanne Price, is the youngest of nine musical children. His accomplishments include multiple performances with the Utah Symphony, an appearance on national radio as soloist on NPR's "From the Top" with the Gifted Music School Orchestra, and a tour of Italy with the Rocky Mountain Strings. A winner of numerous awards, his first prize distinctions include 2010 Winner of the Utah Division of the International Stradivarius Competition, four time winner of the Utah Symphony Youth Guild recital competition, winner of the Utah State Fair, Stillman Kelly, and the state MTNA Solo and Concerto Competitions. He currently studies violin with Eugene Watanabe. His past teachers include Deborah Moench, Jack Ashton, Denise Farrington (piano), and he was a student of the Gifted Music School. This fall David plans to attend BYU Idaho and then serve a mission for the LDS Church.