FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2025
Bangor, ME
In a stunning display of high school talent, the Bangor Symphony Orchestra held it’s 44th Annual Maine High School Concerto Competition finals on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Finalists performed in front of a live audience at Minsky Auditorium on the campus of the University of Maine, with the winner walking away with $500 and the opportunity to perform with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
“This concerto competition presents an annual opportunity for young musicians to give themselves a goal, work hard, and dedicate themselves to their music. It is a wonderful experience not just for the competitor, but also for the community, to hear the amazing talent of high school students we have here in the state of Maine,” said Music Director and Conductor Lucas Richman.
There were four young musicians in the finals on Sunday: Noah Smith, a clarinetist from Buckfield, took first place; Ronan Sands, a cellist from Eddington was awarded second place; George Taylor, a violinist from Waterville took third place and Linnea Turesson, a violinist from Rockport earned honorable mention.
“This year we had four strong finalists, and I was very impressed with the individual uniqueness and level of professionalism each of them brought to the stage,” said Richman. “Noah Smith stood out in his range of expressive musicality and his virtuosic interpretation. It will be exciting to have him perform with the BSO in May.”
“Every year I am impressed by the high level of applicants who participate in our high school concerto competition, and this year was no exception,” said BSO Executive Director Renia Shterenberg. “All four finalists presented strong performances, and I look forward to hearing with the winner, Noah Smith, at our Young People’s Concerts in May.“
Noah Smith will be performing the third movement of Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in the Young People’s Concerts presented by the Bangor Symphony Orchestra at the Collins Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Maine on May 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM (sold out) and 11:45 AM. Tickets for the 11:45 AM concert can be purchased by calling Katie Hardy, Education and Community Programs Manager at (207) 942-5555 ext. 4.