Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra

Northern Michigan young musicians have the opportunity to perform in the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra’s (GLCO) annual Charles F. Davis Young Artist Competition, applications for which are now being accepted.

The competition, which began in 2007, is available in two categories – a Senior Division for high school students and a Junior Division for pre-high school students for students of piano, winds, brass, percussion, strings and voice, residing in Northern Michigan between the 45th Parallel and the Straits of Mackinac, or students affiliated with a member of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.

Charlevoix flutist Helen Hanchin won top honors in the senior division in 2019. Junior Division winners that year included Eeva Rintala and Collin Brantley.

The pandemic forced the contest’s cancellation in 2020. But, in 2021 GLCO revived the event, this time in a safe, virtual format. Last year’s Senior Division winners include Alex Sweeney, Maxwell Ondras, and Eeva Rintala. Junior Division winners included Collin Brantley, Blaise Sytsma-Reed, and Lena Sytsma-Reed.

This year’s competition will be held at Petoskey United Methodist Church, 1804 E. Mitchell Rd., on Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m. Winners will receive scholarships and may be invited to perform with GLCO.

Application forms are available from instrumental and vocal teachers in the area, the GLCO Office or online at www.glcorchestra.org. Students are encouraged to speak with their teachers or to contact the orchestra for additional information at 231-487-0010.
According to GLCO Executive Director Judith Zorn, hosting the annual competition helps the orchestra meet its education goals, which is a primary thrust of the organization’s mission.

Contestants must submit a completed application form, along with a $15
non-refundable application fee made payable to the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra. Applications must reach the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra office, 219 E. Lake Street, Petoskey, 49770 by Friday, April 15, at 5 p.m.

Requirements
1. Work(s) to be performed: Instrumentalists: a complete movement or composition for which
an orchestral arrangement is available. Vocalists: two compositions, at least one in a foreign
language – one of which must have an orchestral arrangement.
2. Each contestant is to provide an accompanist, when necessary, at the contestant’s expense.
3. Three copies of the piece(s) performed must be supplied for the judges with measures
numbered. Photocopies are acceptable. All copies will be returned to the performers.
4.Target performance time between 5 and 10 minutes.
5. Music memorization is encouraged.

Music scholarships are awarded to the top two contestants in each division. Winners may be invited to perform with the GLCO.
Masks are required for this event.
Contestants will be notified of their individual performance times within a week following the deadline date. Audition times will be randomly selected and may be negotiated. A warm-up room will be provided prior to the audition time. The competition will be held before a live audience.

For additional information, contact the office of Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra at 231-487-0010.