Listen to Last Year's Winners

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This competition is dedicated to the memory of Pat Whitacre, long-time member of the Friends of the SPCO, and its third president. 

PATRICIA HILL WHITACRE
1926-2005

During her lifetime, Patricia “Pat” Whitacre generously volunteered her time, talents and support to musical organizations throughout the Twin Cities, beginning with the St. Paul Civic Symphony and the Women’s Philharmonic Association, which later changed its name to Friends of the SPCO. Other musical organizations that benefitted from her energetic involvement included WAMSO, The Schubert Club, New Friends of Chamber Music, the Music in the Park Series, and the Bach Society Choir, in which she sang for 25 years.


She twice was elected to the Board of Directors of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, who honored her as a Life Member. She befriended many of the musicians and staff, whom she fondly thought of as her extended family. When Pat died in 2005, the Friends of the SPCO established a Memorial Fund in her name, part of which was used to commission a musical work by Skip James, SPCO keyboardist and composer.  A portion of the funding for this competition comes from the remainder of that fund.

Mission Statement

The Friends of the SPCO perceives the SPCO Youth Chamber Music Competition as an educational opportunity for young instrumentalists living or studying in Minnesota. It encourages them to form small groups to expand their knowledge of chamber music, improve their orchestral skills, polish repertoire, and enjoy the fun and stimulation of playing with others. 

The competition fits with one of the goals of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra: to serve the community and music through collaboration, outreach and education.


History Of the Competition

A small planning committee from the Friends of the SPCO began drawing up initial plans for the competition in 2010. They formed a partnership with the SPCO staff and musicians and established an Advisory Board of prominent music supporters and experts in instrumental music. A repertoire committee from  the Advisory Board, helped to design the competition's Guidelines. Members of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra judged the DVD round and the Final Round.Three outstanding groups, two string quartets and one piano quartet, were chosen to play in the Finals/Winners Recital on February 26, 2012 - a well-attended event which was enthusiastically received by its audience.

In spring 2012,  the competition formed partnerships with  MNSOTA (Minnesota String & Orchestra Teachers Association) and MacPhail Center for Music, resulting in the following changes to the competition:The competition now has three levels: Level A for experienced chamber music players; Level B (Apprentice level) for less experienced chamber music players; and Level C for ensembles that submit their YouTube video for comments only. They also added a live semifinal round to the competition.

More About 2012 Competition Finals

Quartet Tzigane  piano quartet, was chosen the top-prize winner in the inaugural competition Sunday, February 26, 2012. The event was held in the Music Room at SPCO Center in the Historic Hamm Building in Saint Paul.

Members Graydon Tope, 15, violin; Sloane Wesloh, 15, viola; Parker Tope, 13,, cello; and Evren Ozel, 13, piano, received a $1,000 cash prize, Patricia Hill Whitacre first prize medals, and a performance opportunity in conjunction with an SPCO concert. Their coach was Thomas Rosenberg.

Second prize of $750 was awarded to Take 4 string quartet: Jason Shu, 15, violin; Harris Bernstein, 16, violin; Benjamin Eide, 17, viola; and Micah Chang, 16, cello. They were coached by Ray Shows of the Artaria Chamber Music School.

Third prize of $500 was awarded to Kromatique string quartet: Grant Simonson, 17, violin; Joonil Oh, 17, violin, and viola; Joe Peterson, 16, violin and viola; and Avery Johnson, 17, cello. Their coach was also Ray Shows.

Judges were Patrick Castillo, SPCO’s Senior director of artistic planning; Kathryn Greenbank, principal oboe; and Leslie Shank, violin. Chuck Ullery, principal bassoon of the SPCO was the emcee.


SPCO COMPETITION 135