Culver City Orchestra Announces Parness Winners

The Culver City Orchestra’s Parness Concerto Competition was held at West Los Angeles College. The decisions by the judges to pick the winners and honorable mentions are never easy, and again, this year like in the past, the choices were difficult.

Matthew Hetz, the orchestra’s Executive Director offered “I must thank each contestant for bringing to our competition their wonderful musical gifts, and outstanding work ethic. Each contestant must take pride in how they played at the competition. Each contestant is a very valuable role model to their peers on how dedication and hard work has rewards. Thank you and Bravi. My thanks go to the judges and volunteers who make the event the success it is. Thank you to the accompanists for the contestants whose own musicality bring much to the competition.

The winners –

Junior Division Ages 14 and Under

WINNER

Talon Smith, Age 14, Piano, Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st Movement

HONORABLE MENTION

Nathan Gendler, Age 10, Violin, Beethoven, Romance in F

Matthew Chang, Age 11, Violin, Sarasate, Zigunerweisen

Alexander Freed, Age 13, Violin, Lalo, Symphony Espanole

Intermediate Division Ages 15 through 18

WINNERS

Allison To, Age 15, Piano, Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 3, 1st Movement

Aubree Oliverson, age 18, Violin, Wieniawski, Violin Concerto No. 2, 3rd Movement

HONORABLE MENTION

Charlotte Van Houton, age 17, Viola, Bruch,

Romance for Viola

Peter Sykes, Age 16, Piano, Liszt, Hungarian Fantasy

Senior Division Ages 19 through 25

WINNER

Leah Hansen, Age 21, Cello, Prokofiev, Concerto Concertante 1, 1st Movement

HONORABLE MENTION

Shota Homma, Age 19, Piano, Tchaikovsky, Piano Concerto No. 1, 1st Movement

Hetz also noted his “Thank you to the teachers of the contestants. Probably none of the contestants would have been in the competition without your dedication and guidance to your students. And great thanks to the parents and guardians and the families of the contestants who drive their cares to lessons, to competitions, buy the musical instruments, and take the time to guide these young musicians in their musical quests.”