First place instrumental (grades 9-12) - Paul Juhn from Mundelein, Ill. Paul won as a 12th grader at Vernon Hills HS. He played Beethoven's Piano Sonata Op. 81a on piano.

Second place instrumental (grades 9-12) - Devon Naftzger.

First place instrument (grades 1-8) - Serena Harnack. Interesting tidbit about Serena -- this was her 3rd year competing. She took 3rd place her first time, then 2nd and finally 1st. It's exactly what we tell the kids -- keep coming back, keep trying and you might just win!!!

  

Pictured above from left: Paul Juhn, Devon Naftzger and Serena Harnack. (Paul and Devon with Musichorale Director Jeffrey Silhan).

Musichorale held its 47th annual scholarship contest on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Two instrumental contests and one vocal contest were conducted.

Placing first in the junior instrumental contest was Michelle Park of Itasca. Michelle is a violin student. She has been studying for eight years at the Betty Haag Academy of Music. Michelle is a 7th grader at Peacock Middle School.

The first place winner of the vocal contest was Francesco Castaldi, age 18 of Wheeling. Francesco is a senior at St. Viator High school. Francesco is active in his school choir and has also been taking private lessons for seven years under the instruction of Jina Varis. Francesco is currently auditioning at various colleges and intends to continue his musical education.

Kiyoshi Hayashi, age 15, placed first in the senior instrumental contest. Kiyoshi is a violin student. He has been studying for eight years at the Western Springs School of Talent Education. Kiyoshi is a freshman at Oak Park River Forest High School.

All first place winners will receive a $500 cash award for the continuation of their musical education. Each will also perform as a special guest at Musichorale's Spring Concert on Sunday, April 19, 2009, or the Christmas Noel program in December. These two presentations will be held in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium of Trinity College in Palos Heights.

Second and third place winners also received a cash award of $200 and $100, respectively.

  

Pictured above with Musichorale Director Jeffrey Silhan, clockwise from top left: Michelle Park, Francesco Castaldi, and Kiyoshi Hayashi

Musichorale held its 46th annual scholarship contest on Saturday, February 23rd. Two instrumental contests and one vocal contest were conducted. Following are the first place winners of the individual contests.

Luke Harvey, age 14, placed first in the senior instrumental contest. Luke is a piano student of Ludka Derka of Indian Head Park. His selections were The Cat and the Mouse by Aaron Copland and Chopin's Etude #12. The Harvey family reside in Cedar Lake, Indiana, and Luke attends Lowell High School.

Placing first in the junior instrumental contest was Maria Yeh of Palatine. Maria is a student of the Betty Haag Academy in Arlington Heights. Her selections for the contest were Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso and Sonate by Mozart. Maria is a 6th grader at Pleasant Hill School.

The first place winner of the vocal contest was Kate Rozycki, age 17, of LaGrange. Kate attends Lyons Township High School where she has been taking lessons and is also a private student of Mrs. Becky Moan. The two selections sung by Kate were None But the Lonely Heart by Tchaikovsky and Take Me To the World by Sondheim. An honor roll student, Kate is also interested in theatre, both as a performer and in other backstage functions.

All first place winners will receive a $500 cash award for the continuation of their musical education. Each will also perform as a special guest at Musichorale's Spring Concert on Sunday, April 20th or the Christmas Noel program on December 14th. These two presentations will be held in the Ozinga Chapel Auditorium of Trinity College in Palos Heights.

Second and third place winners also received a cash award of $200 and $100, respectively.

  

Pictured above, clockwise from top left: Luke Harvey, Kate Rozycki, and Maria Yeh

Ethan Young, age 16, won the first place award in Musichorale's 45th Scholarship Contest for instrumentalists in grades nine through twelve. Ethan, a junior at Oswego High School, performed the 1st Movement of Saint Saens Concerto No. 1 and the Allemande from the Second Suite by J.S. Bach on the cello which he has been studying for eleven years. Ethan has been taking private lessons from Andrea LaFranzo of North Aurora. He resides with his parents in Oswego, Illinois.

George Hyun, age 14, placed first in the instrumentalists grades one thru eight division of Musichorale's 45th Scholarship Contest. George is an eight grade at Washburne Junior High and resides with his parents in Winnetka, Illinois. George has studied the violin for ten years at the Betty Haag Academy. His selection for the contest was Lalo's Symphonie Espagnole.

Both first place winners won a monetary prize of $500 to continue their music education. Both Ethan and George performed Musichorale concerts.

  

Pictured from left: Ethan Young and George Hyun