Canyon Crest Academy student, Erica Wang, won the San Diego Youth Symphony solo concerto competition.
CARMEL VALLEY — Each fall, talented students from San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory’s pre-professional level Ovation and intermediate level showcase ensembles compete in SDYS’ solo concerto competitions. In addition to scholarship awards, the winners perform as featured soloists in future San Diego Youth Symphony concerts.
Taking the top honor at the Ovation pre-professional level concerto competition, was Erica Wang, principal flute in SDYS’ symphony orchestra and chamber orchestra and a junior at Canyon Crest Academy. Wang will perform the “Moderato” from Lowell Liebermann’s “Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, Op. 39” with the chamber orchestra March 13 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. Although Wang has mainly performed classical and romantic era concerts, she wanted to challenge herself in the competition by performing a newer style of music.
“I chose Liebermann’s flute concerto because of the charming and melodic themes in both the solo and orchestral parts. The concerto is one of the most difficult but exciting pieces that I’ve played, and I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to perform it with an orchestra,” she said.
SDYS’ annual concerto competitions are held each fall for students enrolled in the intermediate and pre-professional level ensembles. The competitions provide musicians with valuable performance training, inspiration from performances by their fellow musicians, and a goal to strive toward in practicing and building their musicianship.
