2012 information TBA

2010 MASTA Solo Competition

The Sixteenth Biennial Solo Competition took place on October 23, 2010 at Michigan State University, East Lansing. There were sixteen contestants in the Junior Division and seven contestants in the Senior Division. These twenty-three talented musicians gave outstanding performances. 

The winners in the Junior Division were GRAND PRIZE (SHAR MUSIC AWARD) Michael Bechtel, violin, University of Michigan (Stephen Shipps, teacher) and FIRST PRIZE (ELIZABETH A.H. GREEN AWARD) Isabel Kwon, cello, Okemos (Andrea Yun, teacher). Additionally, the following contestants were chosen to submit recordings to the National Screening Committee: Thomas Barth, cello, Kalamazoo (Bruce Uchimura, teacher) and Abigail Elder, viola, Bloomfield Hills (Caroline Coade, teacher). 

The winners in the Senior Division were GRAND PRIZE (SHAR MUSIC AWARD) Jonathon Hammonds, double bass, University of Michigan (Diana Gannett, teacher) and FIRST PRIZE (PSARIANOS AWARD) Linnea Powell, viola, University of Michigan (Yizhak Schotten, teacher).

Judges for the Junior Division were Andrew Jennings, University of Michigan and Robert Reed, Eastern Michigan University. Judges for the Senior Division were Igor Fedetov, Western Michigan University and Raphael Jimenez, Michigan State University. 

E. Daniel Long, Solo Competition Chair, presented the awards to all the prizewinners at a reception following the competition. In addition to these awards, Laurie and Peter Psarianos gve $100 gift certificates to both the Junior and Senior Division First Prize winners.

Michigan State University, School of Music, was most generous and gracious in hosting this year’s competition. Hart Recital Hall and the Music Auditorium were superb venues. Special thanks and kudos Judy Palac, School of Music host, for her expertise, organizational skills and guidance in helping make the day’s events run smoothly and efficiently. Thank you also to members of the ASTA Student Chapter for their willing assistance and time throughout the day to all the contestants and visitors.

It was, once again, a pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful and exciting event. MASTA can be very proud of this competition. It is another example of the leadership and professional involvement our state membership has in promoting and supporting so many activities. It clearly demonstrates the successful venture between our organization and the music industry. Psarianos Violin Shop and Shar Products Company are to be commended and thanked for their generosity and steadfast support. MASTA is so fortunate to have each of these companies within our music community. Their interest in string players throughout Michigan and beyond is quite remarkable.

Many individuals contributed to the success of this year’s solo competition. The contributions made by the contestants themselves--the highest level of musical performance--was the most important factor in making this a great success. Each contestant is to be congratulated for his or her outstanding audition. Congratulations to all contestants who participated in this year’s competition. The future of young string players within Michigan looks very bright.