After just two weeks of rehearsing together, members of the PRISMA Festival Orchestra will present their final performance at the Gala Closing Concert on Saturday, June 24.
The first half of the concert will feature the final round of the Concerto Competition.
The three finalists announced last Friday, clarinetist Noemi Sallai, cellist Stephen Hawkey and percussionist Justin Doute, will each perform one movement of a concerto as soloists accompanied by the PRISMA Festival Orchestra.
During the intermission, PRISMA’s panel of international guest artists will vote on a winner, who will be awarded the grand prize of a week performing with Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
Last year’s Concerto Competition winner, Arizona’s Trevor Barroero, was the first percussion student in PRISMA history to become a semifinalist.
“The Concerto Competition at PRISMA, of course, was a huge draw for me,” says Barroero. “I’ve been doing concerto competitions since the eighth grade, so this was the next step for me, to take an opportunity to play outside of the country.”
Following his win at PRISMA last season, Barroero travelled to Russia in late November to perform with Moscow Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Arthur Arnold. As guest timpanist, Barroero performed Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and Symphony No. 1.
“To perform the music of Tchaikovsky with a Russian orchestra in the Tchaikovsky Music Conservatory was a surreal combination,” says Barroero.
Barroero’s performance at PRISMA this time last year still stands out to him as a memorable experience.
“I’ve had the pleasure of performing with orchestras around the United States and Canada,” he says, “but that particular performance was unique in the sense that the audience was extremely supportive of the music students."
Now, three new students will have the opportunity to perform during Saturday’s closing concert for a chance at winning the experience in Moscow that Barroero enjoyed.
Following the final round of the competition, the second half of Saturday’s concert will also feature Mahler’s Adagio from Symphony no. 10 and Strauss’ Rosenkavalier Suite.
PRISMA Gala Closing Concert
When: 7:30 pm, Saturday, June 24
Where: Evergreen Theatre
Price: $25
Info: prismafestival.com/festival_events or 1.855.577.4762.
