Ms. Christa Converse Appointed Chairwoman of 31st Annual Youth Concerto Competition

The Board of Directors for the Delaware County Symphony (DCS) are pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Christa Converse as Chairwoman of the 31st Annual Youth Concerto Competition Committee. The competition offers young musicians of outstanding talent the opportunity to audition for its annual concerto competition. One winner, selected by a panel of regional musicians and the DCS Music Director, will be awarded prize money and invited to perform a full-length concerto with the symphony during its regular subscriptions series. Students in grades 9-12 who are residing or studying in the tri-state area are eligible to apply. Application deadline is Monday September 17. This year's competition will be held on October 21, 2012, and the winner will perform with the orchestra on May 5, 2013. Past winners have gone on to study at Curtis, Juilliard, Eastman, Peabody, Oberlin and other conservatories. Active professionals include past winners Mirjam Ingolfsson, Jennifer Haas, Elizabeth Pitcairn and Ellen de Pasquale to name a few.

Ms. Converse explained she is, "very pleased to Chair this committee for the symphony". She added, "The Youth Concerto Competition offers young musicians an excellent opportunity to perform a full length concerto before a live audience with a symphony. The Delaware County Symphony is a strong advocate and leader of classical music in the regional community. I am pleased to lead this competition program and to work under the guidance of Music Director Jeremy Gill". Ms. Converse is a classically trained oboist, a performing member of the DCS and a regional music educator. For additional information on this competition contact the DCS at 610-879-7059 or visit us at www.dcsmusic.org.