Cellist Allison Park celebrated her sweet 16 birthday in February, and her March is turning even sweeter.
The high school sophomore, who doubles as a state finalist swimmer at George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, turned hours and months of practice into the top prize at the 10th annual The U.S. Army Band's Young Artist Competition held at the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall the evening of March 9.
On her cello, Park passionately and effortlessly performed "Saint-Saens Concerto, Movement 3" for the TUSAB judging panel, which included TUSAB Commander Col. Timothy J. Holtan. She was among the eight finalists in the competition, which invited Washington, D.C.-area high school string, woodwind, brass and percussion musicians to submit audio recordings to earn in-person performances.
The teen-aged musicians competed inside Brucker Hall's Col. Samuel R. Loboda Studio for the top three places in the event.
"This has been a great privilege for us to hear these fine musicians tonight," Holtan said after he and the other judges reconvened to announce their decisions. "I understood through the initial applications there was some real talent, but I didn't understand what kind of talent until we heard this presentation tonight. I think the future of our music is in great hands."
Park will now be the featured soloist with The U.S. Army Orchestra in concert on May 15. The second and third place finishers, along with 20 honorable mention musicians, will join the orchestra to rehearse and perform this spring.
"A lot of these kids have been preparing for months and up to a year," said event master of ceremonies, event organizer and "Pershing's Own" member Sgt. 1st Class Beth Dunkel. "We picked the eight best recordings, and they have 13 minutes to play through their pieces with their pianists on stage."
Cello player Flory Mairead put her entire 13 minutes to good use, entertaining with Tchaikovsky's "Rococo Variations" to earn third place. Harpist Alyssa Katahara gave a rich and vibrant effort of Ginastera's "First Movement" to be named runner up.
According to Holtan, finalists were judged on the following criteria: musical quality, technique, intonation, accuracy, delivery, range dynamics, delivery, musicality, expression and preparedness.
Park, who turned 16 last month, gained top marks from the judges during the two-hour event. While there was a predetermined order for the young musicians, Park was placed in the fourth spot - a slot she finds more favorable during competitions.
"Recently, I was in the NSO [National Symphony Orchestra] finals, and I was first [to play]," she said. "I'd prefer not to go first. It is really hard to go first."
Other finalists included Joshua Choi (cello), Kenneth Naito (violin), Lisa Choi (flute), Hunter Lorelli (bassoon) and Yeama Ho (flute).
Social Sharing