The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) announces dates for the 2013 Dorothy Farnham Feuer Memorial String Competition.
This string scholarship competition, held annually since 1964, has provided recognition, encouragement and monetary support to outstanding young performers on string instruments. It is open to advanced string players in grades seven through 12 in Northern Virginia. Preliminary auditions for the 2013 competition begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 9, and the final competition will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 2, both at Providence Presbyterian Church, 9019 Little River Turnpike, Fairfax. The winners’ scholarships are $500 for third place, $750 for second place, and $1,000 for first place.
Application forms are due in hand at the FSO Office by 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28. For competition rules and entry forms, please visit: www.fairfaxsymphony.org/feuer_competition.html.
The Feuer Competition winners are required to use the scholarship money to further their musical training. Many past winners have continued to pursue music as private teachers and as members of orchestras throughout the nation, including with the Fairfax Symphony. Evelina Chao, the first winner in 1964, is now assistant principal viola with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and an accomplished author. Others followed her to impressive careers in music: 1973 winner Clayton Haslop has been concertmaster for films such as Titanic, The Incredibles, The Matrix movies, A Beautiful Mind, and many more. Alexander Kerr (1986), Zuill Bailey (1987), Jean Cook (1991) and Jennifer Kim (2000) are a few of the Feuer winners who have continued in music careers spanning the globe. The 2012 winner was violinist Fedor Ouspensky from South Lakes High School.
Dorothy Farnham Feuer was a founding member of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra (FSO) and a violinist with the orchestra. After her untimely death, in 1964, the competition was created as a tribute to her and her commitment to music education.
Information about the FSO may be found at www.fairfaxsymphony.org.