Larson Young Artist Award Winner Announced

Just now, after about twenty minutes of patiently awaiting the results of the competition Nadia Maudhoo was announced the winner of the Larson Young Artist Award. She is one of the eight talented string players who came from high schools across Nebraska to perform this morning in front of the judges for the award and the chance to play with a professional string quartet at one of Meadowlark's concert events this coming June. This year's competitors were all very talented young string players, each more than deserving of the award. Congratulations Nadia and congratulations to Helen Dowd, the runner up and Jehong Ahn, who received honorable mention.

For more information on Meadowlark or the Larson Award check out our website at www.meadowlarkmusicfestival.com

In Progress: Larson Young Artist Award

Right now, eight very talented string players from high schools throughout Nebraska are at the Westbrook Music Building on the UNL campus, ready to preform for the judges. They are all competing for the Larson Young Artist Award, which gives the winner the amazing opportunity to play with one of the professional string quartets that will be performing at one of Meadowlark's event's this summer. The winner also receives $1,000 and the runner up gets a performing opportunity and a $500 cash prize.

Students and their parents anxiously await their opportunity to perform for the judges. Some practice up on the third floor, while those who are up next wait outside the door for their chance to enter and demonstrate their remarkable talent. The first competitor played at 9:20 this morning and the competition keeps moving along. We will enjoy some coffee and rolls while the rest of the students get their chance to play and the judges make their decision.

This years competitors include:

Jehong Ahn, viola, Westside High School; Yasmeen Bora, violin, Millard North High School; Helen Dowd, violin, home schooled; Lucy Elge, violin, Aurora Public; Justin Lepard, cello, Lincoln High School; Nadia Maudhoo, violin, Millard West High School; Stephanie McAtee, violin; and Jessica Qiu, violin, Lincoln East High School.

In Progress: Meadowlark Starts Work on a New Season of Music Filled Events

On this cloudy, yet refreshingly above-freezing afternoon, work commences on preparing for the the Larson Young Artist Award Competition. The event is only about a month away, which means that in this final stretch all the last minute details are being fine tuned. The final judges are being selected, and letters are being sent out to the final contestants, one of whom will be receiving a $1000 grand prize. We are making sure that the Westbrook Music Building on the UNL campus is prepared for the incoming talent that is to rock the halls on March 12, 2011 and ensuring that there will be plenty of coffee and rolls to go around. We are excited to hear the remarkable talents of these young high school students and will continue to work hard in the following month to put together this event and make it just as much as a success as in has been in previous years.