Jefferson County’s up-and-coming virtuosos had their chance to hit a high note, literally, in the fourth annual Young Artist Competition organized by the the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra.

Thirteen local kids and young adults in the senior and junior divisions played before a three-judge panel of professional adjudicators.

Violinist Zia Magill placed first in the senior division for her Mozart A major concerto movement.

“The competition gained momentum this year,” said Kristin Smith, coordinator of the event.

“Students are very serious about it and grateful for the opportunity. We are happy to provide them with this goal,” Smith said.

In the senior division, violinist Anabel Moore earned second place for her Bach A minor concerto movement, and third place was earned by violinist Nola Bertucci for her Schumann Sonata movement.

For the junior division, second place was claimed by Cora Brinton on violin for her Rieding Concertino in Hungarian style; pianist Joshua Yearian took third for his Beethoven piano Sonata movement; and violinist Kai Andersen earned an honorable mention for his Schumann “Two Grenadiers.”

The Conductor’s Prize, chosen by local pianist and poet Nan Toby Tyrrell, went to pianist Aiden Murney for his Satie “Gnossienne No. 1.”

One-time performance honors went to multi-percussionist Hayden Montgomery for his interpretation of a new composition, “Tenors without Borders,” written by local composer Forrest Brennan.

Following his performance, Montgomery was invited to present this piece as the opener for the Port Townsend Symphony’s recent concert.

The competition is open to musicians between 4 and 22 years of age who reside in Jefferson County.  For the junior division, applicants must be aged 14 or
under. The senior division is for artists between ages 15 to 22.

The competition is open to orchestral instruments such as strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion as well as piano. To learn more about the Young Artist Competition, go to ptsymphony.org/young-artists.