Collegiate Division 1st Place: Trio Audace
San Francisco Conservatory of Music – San Francisco, CA
Ensemble Members:
Da Huang, violin
Edward Luengo, cello
Ning Zhou, piano
Repertoire:
Dmitri Shostakovich: Piano Trio No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 67 – IV. Allegretto
Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 1 in E-flat Major, Op. 1 – I. Allegro
Trio Audace is a piano trio formed by three students at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Founded in 2015 by Da Huang (violin), Edward Luengo (cello), and Ning Zhou (piano), they have been working with Jennifer Culp, Jean-Michel Fonteneau, Wei He, Sharon Mann, and Mack McCray at the Conservatory. The name “Trio Audace” was chosen for its meaning of the word in French – bold, daring, spirited. Since they formed during October of 2015, Trio Audace have been taking on many works, with eras and styles ranging from Mozart to Shostakovich and Ducros. Trio Audace’s mission is to illustrate their relationship with their work for audiences at a personal level of interpretation.
Collegiate Division 2nd Place: Copperhead Quartet
University of Oklahoma – Norman, OK
Ensemble Members:
Dylan Edwards, soprano saxophone
Brennan Lagan, alto saxophone
Cameron Miller, tenor saxophone
Curtis Vanzandt, baritone saxophone
Repertoire:
William Albright: Fantasy Etudes – No. 4 Phantom Galop
Gabriel Pierne: Introduction et Variations sur une Ronde Populaire
The Copperhead Quartet is the top graduate saxophone quartet at the University of Oklahoma. The ensemble is coached by Dr. Jonathan Nichol, a member of the h2 Quartet, and comprised of second-year Masters student Brennan Lagan and first-year Master students Dylan Edwards, Cameron Miller, and Curtis Vanzandt. Formed in the fall of 2015, the group performs a wide variety of music in various venues around Oklahoma.
Junior Division 1st Place: Cobalt Saxophone Quartet
Hebron High School – Carrollton, TX
Ensemble Members:
Dylan Hong, soprano saxophone
Bruce Moe, alto saxophone
Noah Khan, tenor saxophone
Logan Parker, baritone saxophone
Repertoire:
Caryl Florio: Quartette – I. Andante
David Maslanka: Recitation Book – V. Fanfare/Variations on “Durch Adams Fall” (Through Adam’s Fall)
Formed in the summer of 2015 in Carrollton, Texas, the Cobalt Quartet consists of Dylan Hong, Bruce Moe, Noah Khan, and Logan Parker. Members of the group have received many honors, including various Texas All-State Band placements, selection to participate in the 2016 North American Saxophone Alliance High School Saxophone Ensemble, first place in the 2015 Houston Underground Saxophone Competition (Junior Division), and more. Cobalt Quartet’s mission is to connect people, especially the youth, with chamber music and collaborative artistry. The group has performed for several community events in the Lewisville Independent School District to help build awareness of arts education.
Junior Division 2nd Place: Woodstone Quartet
Chamber Music Connection – Worthington, OH
Ensemble Members:
Annica McDougall, violin
Adryan Rojas, violin
Elizabeth Macintosh, viola
Anna Macintosh, cello
Repertoire:
Franz Hadyn: String Quartet, Op. 76, No. 2 in D Minor – I. Allegro
Antonin Dvorak: String Quartet No. 12 in F Major, Op. 96, “American” – II. Lento
The Woodstone String Quartet was founded in 2011 at the Chamber Music Connection (CMC) in Worthington, OH. Coaches include Artistic Director, Deborah Price and a team of CMC’s associated faculty. Through CMC, they have performed in masterclasses for renowned quartets including the Jupiter, St. Lawrence, Brentano, Escher, Calidore, Hausmann, and Cavani. They have also performed in side-by-side concerts with the Calidore, Jupiter, Dover and Escher Quartets. Awards include Honorable Mentions in Ohio Chamber Music Invitational, OSTA Biennial Chamber Music Competition, advancement to the finals of the 2015 Coltman Competition, and participation in the 2014 and 2015 Discover National Competition. The group’s name comes from the residence of one of the violinists where they rehearsed regularly in their early years.
Junior Division Honorable Mention: Zorion Clarinet Quartet
Spring High School – Spring, TX
Ensemble Members:
Christian Gonzalez, Eb clarinet
Melvin Vega, Bb clarinet
Nickolas Delacerda, Bb clarinet
Diego Rojas, bass clarinet
Repertoire:
Guillermo Lago: Ciudades – Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Richard Dubugnon: Saratoga Trails – III. Bear Trail
The Zorion Clarinet Quartet is the premiere woodwind ensemble at Spring High School representing the highest level of musical achievement on their instruments. Members of the ensemble have advanced to the area level of the TMEA All-State audition process, and two have been named members of the 6A All-State Band. The ensemble has been invited to perform at the 2016 Music For All National Chamber Music Festival and will be performing at the 2016 TMEA Convention as a demonstration ensemble for a presentation addressing the unparalleled benefits of Chamber Music to the development of students as musicians and responsible adults. In addition to their study in the Spring Band, members of the ensemble study privately with professional musicians from the Houston Area.
2016 Competition Judges
Norman Fischer, cello
Tom Hale, french horn
Troy Peters, conductor
Vanguel Tangarov, clarinet
Jeanne Kierman Fischer, piano
Michael Jacobson, saxophone