YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS MUSIC COMPETITION FOR 2007 PROMISES TO BE BEST EVER

Intense three-day competition culminates with Concert of Finalists at Crighton Theatre, Saturday, March 10 at 8:00 p.m.

Judging by the record number of applicants and the stellar lineup of judges, this year’s Young Texas Artists Music Competition, generously underwritten by ENTERGY, promises to be the best ever.

“We received 90 applications from musicians in Texas and beyond,” said Susie Pokorski, coordinator of the event. “This is the largest response we have had since the competition began 23 years ago. Of those who have applied, 70 will be accepted to compete. We are completely at capacity with this record-breaking turnout.”

The intense three-day competition begins with preliminary rounds on Thursday, March 8 at the Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe and culminates with the Concert of Finalists on Saturday, March 10, at 8:00 p.m.

The competition, which is open to Texas residents or students enrolled in a Texas college, university or music school, has four divisions: piano; voice; strings; and winds, brass and percussion. At stake are over $16,000 in cash prizes and performance opportunities with the Conroe Symphony Orchestra, Montgomery County Choral Society, The Living Opera, and a recital in Zilkha Hall at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston.

Judges for this year’s competition are: Emelyne Bingham, assistant conductor of the Nashville Symphony and professor of conducting and aural studies at Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University; Karen Buranskas, associate professor of music at University of Notre Dame; Alecia Lawyer, founder, director and principal oboist with the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra; Miyoko Lotto, associate professor of piano, Manhattan School of Music and piano instructor with The Perlman Institute; and Keith A. Wolfe, managing director of Fort Worth Opera.
Each year, audience members get to vote on their own favorite performing artist. The Audience Choice Award carries with it a $1,000 prize.

Bob Stevenson, producer of “The Front Row” on KUHF 88.7 FM Houston Public Radio, returns as master of ceremonies for the annual event.

ENTERGY, the major benefactor of the competition, is joined by other generous sponsors, including Streater-Smith Honda Nissan, Southwestern Furniture, and Insurance Associates of Texas.

Other help comes from the many citizens of Conroe and the surrounding areas who pitch in to make sure these musical guests have a safe, memorable and enjoyable stay in Conroe. Many open their homes to contestants and provide meals and housing. Those interested in helping in any of these areas are invited to call Betty Willis at 936-588-4782.

Tickets to the Saturday evening concert are $20 and are available through the Crighton Theatre box office at 936-441-SHOW (936-441-7469). Those interested in attending the preliminary rounds at the Crighton Theatre are invited to do so at no charge.

For more information, visit www.youngtexasartists.org or call Susie Pokorski at 936-756-7017.

ABOUT THE YOUNG TEXAS ARTISTS COMPETITION
The Young Texas Artists Music Competition was created in 1983 by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, to promote excellence in musical performance, to encourage young musicians in their pursuit of high artistic standards, and to foster a love for the performing arts in the community and throughout the state of Texas. The Montgomery County Performing Arts Society is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Conroe Commission on Arts and Culture.