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2020-2021 Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition

Congratulations to the 2020-2021 Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner:

Haruki Takeuchi, piano

student of Dr. David Northington

Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, I. Allegro maestoso

Haruki Takeuchi is a 9th grader at Farragut High School. He began studying piano at the age of seven under Stephanie Northington, and currently studies under David Northington. His awards include: winner of the 2020 Music Teachers National Association Competition of Tennessee, winner of the Tennessee Music Teachers Association State Competition (both 2019 and 2020), winner of the 2020 Junior Online Piano Competition Japan, 1st prize in The 2020 Salzburg Grand Prize Virtuoso International Competition, winner of The Memphis International Piano Competition in 2019, 2nd Place in The 2020 Pittsburgh International piano Competition, 3rd place in the 2020 Paderewski International Competition (CT), and was a semi-finalist in the 2020 WCM international Competition. He has participated in numerous masterclasses and recently studied with Cyprien Katsaris at the 40th Kirishima International Music Festival, Japan. He also enjoys playing violin with the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association.

Congratulations to the 2020-2021 Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition Runner Up:

Carlene Soderberg, cello

student of Alicia Randisi-Hooker

Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 in e-flat minor, I. Allegretto

Carlene Elizabeth Soderberg is currently a senior at Knoxville Catholic High School. Carlene began playing the cello at the age 11, is active in her school music programs, and is currently studying under Alicia Randisi-Hooker.

Carlene was a soloist for the Glenn Nature Reserve benefit concert in Yellow Springs, Ohio and is the youth winner of the 2020 Scruffy City Concerto competition. Carlene was also selected for the 2020 Live Virtual Concert’s International Young Artists Concert. She has attended Chamber Music on the Hill at Converse College under the direction of Sarah Johnson and under the tutelage of Tanja Bechtler and Dr. Jonathan Kramer. It was there that she started the Subito Duo with Steinway Young Artist Michael Drusdow. After COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, they plan to perform cello sonatas and other chamber music at Steinway Galleries along the East Coast. Carlene has been a member of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association for five years. In her spare time, Carlene loves to sing in her school’s choir and arrange and compose music. Carlene plans on studying Cello Performance and Ethnomusicology in her undergraduate and graduate studies.

Thank you to our judges for 2020-2021:
Katie Johnson-Webb, Professor of Horn, University of Tennessee
Geoffrey Herd, Lecturer of Violin, University of Tennessee
Chih-Long Hu, Professor of Piano, University of Tennessee

The KSYO Concerto Competition is open to all pre-college instrumental students who live in Knox, Anderson, Blount, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Loudon, Roane, Sevier or Union counties, or are current members of the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra Association. (Previous winners are not allowed to compete in consecutive years).

Preliminary Round Recordings – Must be received by November 6, 2020!
  • Please email a video recording of the applicant performing one movement of a solo work with orchestral accompaniment.  The recording should include a piano accompanist performing the piano reduction of the orchestral part. ONLY VIDEO RECORDINGS will be accepted.  Please upload your video and share as a private YouTube link or email your video file to jharrell@knoxvillesymphony.com.
  • Applicants are required to have their own accompanist for the preliminary recording and for the live audition if chosen.
  • The orchestral accompaniment parts must be readily available by purchase or rental. Questions about the suitability of a piece should be emailed to KSYO Manager: Kathy Hart at khart@knoxvillesymphony.com.
Download the 2020-21 Concerto Competition Application
  • Each application must have a private instructor’s and a parent’s signature.
  • Please download and complete the application form, scan and return to Kathy@knoxvillesymphony.com.
A non-refundable $30.00 application fee will apply.
  • A link will be sent for payment once your application is received.
  • Your application is not complete until payment is submitted online.

Final Live Audition Round

For more information or to receive an application by mail or email: Kathy@knoxvillesymphony.com.