2012 University of Chicago Concerto Competition

Concerto Competition Judges (left-right): Tim Semanik, Yvonne Lam, Chip De Stefano, Barbara Schubert, and Amy Briggs. (Photo: Jason Smith)

This year’s University of Chicago Concerto Competition drew a record number of contestants, auditioning on a wide variety of repertoire. The panel of judges selected four exceptionally talented and accomplished winners, all of whom will perform with the University Symphony Orchestra in the coming year.

2012 winners include:

Zidi Chen, violin
second year undergraduate, Economics major • performing
Alexander Glazunov: Violin Concerto in A minor, Op. 82

Samantha Fan, violin
third year Ph.D. student, Psychology • performing
Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26

Nathan Harris, piano
second year undergraduate, Music and Linguistics double major • performing
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15

Paul Wang, piano
post-doctoral fellow, Department of Ecology and Evolution • performing
Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

Zidi Chen and Paul Wang will perform with the University Symphony Orchestra in the spring quarter: Saturday, April 22 at 8 pm in Mandel Hall. Samantha Fan and Nathan Harris will perform with the USO during the 2012-2013 season.

The judges would like to express their sincere appreciation to all who auditioned, as well as hearty congratulations to the four winners. The musical talent and artistic dedication exhibited in this year’s competition were truly extraordinary!