Finalists Announced in 07-08 New England String Ensemble Flute Competition

Wakefield, MA, November 08, 2007 --(PR.com)-- New England String Ensemble is pleased to announce the finalists in the 4th Annual NESE Flute Competition. The finals will be held at New England Conservatory with a panel of judges including prestigious flutists Doriot Anthony Dwyer and Fenwick Smith, both retired from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

The winner of the Open division will perform "Concerto in G" by Johann Joachim Quantz with Conductor Federico Cortese and the New England String Ensemble in their “Sacred and Profane” concerts on Saturday, December 1st, 7:30 pm at the Rogers Center for the Arts in North Andover and Sunday December 2nd, 3:00 pm at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall. In addition to the Flute Competition Showcase, the December concerts will feature works by Debussy, Haydn, Pärt and Strauss.

Finalists in the 14 and Under Division:

Jamie Chong - Concord, MA
Student of Nina Barwell

Sandy Shen - Newton, MA
Student of Barbara Nakazawa

Elizabeth Sperry - Chelmsford, MA
Student of Amanda Hughes

Chisato Suga - Andover, MA
Student of Judy Grant

Finalists in the Open Division:

Emma Chung - Lexington, MA
Student of Danielle Boudrot

Margot Connolly - Weston, MA
Student of Judy Grant

Katherine Griffith - Weston, MA
Student of Dan Riley

Jenny Kang - Belmont, MA
Student of Danielle Boudrot

Nicole Routhier - Salem, NH
Student of Christina Kelsh

Sarah Rush - Carlisle, MA
Student of Danielle Boudrot

Zach Sheets - Norwich, VT
Student of Judy Grant & Heidi Baxter

Sarah Shin - Natick, MA
Student of Judy Grant

Jie-Yoon Yang - Newton, MA
Student of Kathy Boyd

Farrah Yhee - Exeter, NH
Student of Peggy Friedland

According to NESE Executive Director Peter Stickel, the purpose of this competition is to “channel the talents and aspirations of the most committed flute students to propel them into the brightest possible musical future”. Indeed, the NESE Flute Competition has become a motivator to advance the musical studies of previous entrants. Three of the past first-place winners are currently studying at The Julliard School for Dance, Drama and Music in New York.

Growing audiences have come to expect emotionally gripping and innovative performances by the Ensemble, and it is this dynamic core of music making that drives the orchestra’s outreach to many communities. In addition to the Youth Competitions for Advanced Flute and String students, the orchestra also supports music programs in the schools with “String Fever” at the elementary level, “Kids to Concerts” for middle-schoolers, the “New England Musical Heritage Initiative” at the high school level, and the newly created “Genius of Youth” program for middle students.

For more information regarding the New England String Ensemble’s educational programs, or concert series please call 781-224-1117 or visit www.newenglandstringensemble.org.

###