Foundation & City Announce Dates for

6th Annual "Young Artists" Competition and Concert

Applications Now Available

The 6th Annual "Young Artist Award" program will provide young instrumental, piano and vocal muscians with an enriching artistic experience, allowing students to participate in a juried competition culminating in a concert for the top prize winners.

Any child age 12-18 is eligible to compete, regardless of residency, and financial aid is available. Applications are due by December 12th and the Competition will take place Saturday, January 31st. The showcase concert will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2009 at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. All applicants must be available to perform in this special concert. 

Please click below to download the application and learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

2009 Young Artist Award Application

Competition Fact Sheet

2009 Sponsorship Application

2008 "Young Artist Award" Concert Review

The winners of the 5th Annual "Young Artist Award" competition performed before a full auditorium at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn on March 15th. A program co-sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Community Foundation, the "Young Artist" event was developed to serve as a learning and mentoring opportunity for young musicians and vocalists to perform in front of a live jury, and gain immediate feedback on their performance in a positive, constructive fashion. Those that earned top scores in their category won the opportunity to perform in the showcase concert, attended by not only friends, family and local residents, but the Mayor, Acting City Manager and most of the City Council members, as well as Foundation Board representatives.

This year, the musicians and vocalists ranged in age from 12 to 18 years, and as in the past, performed with the poise, class and professionalism that belied their ages. One glance at the performer's Bios in the concert program and it was clear that these children were not only exceptional musicians, but all-around talented, hard working and exceptional kids - period. One of the pianists will attend Yale University in the fall, and another had to make a difficult choice between competing in the competition in the Piano category or the Strings Category because she's so talented in both. Several of the musicians are student-athletes, participating in cross country running, swimming, tennis, ballet or basketball, and have extremely varied hobbies, including fishing, fashion design, politicking, pet sitting, photography, comic book reading, astronomy, and debate team. It just takes an evening like the "Young Artist Award" concert to bring into focus how amazing these children truly are - and how truly amazing their parents and teachers must be - as they harness each child's potential in such a beautiful way. WOW!

2008 "Young Artist Award" Winners are as follows:

Strings Solo category:
First Place - Madeline Watson (violin)
Second Place - Andrew Yu, (cello)
Third Place - William Yu (violin)

Vocal Solo category:
Sarah Lasko was awarded First Place
Shaina Martinez, Second Place
Christopher Wolf, Third Place.

Wind & Brass Solo category:
First Place - Grace Lee (Flute)
Second Place - Niles Watson, (Flute)
Third Place - Heather Pesce, (flute)

Piano Solo category:
Dina Ralchenko was awarded First Place
Erika Saunders, Second Place
Joanna Cornell, Third Place.

Vocal Solo category:
Sarah Lasko was awarded First Place
Shaina Martinez, Second Place
Christopher Wolf, Third Place.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Justin Chang (piano) & Isabella Nogues (violin).

Congratulations to all!

The City of Gaithersburg and the Kentlands Community Foundation wish to thank our outstanding Master of Ceremonies, Elie Canetti for leading the proceedings with style, humor and class.