Bolz Young Artist Competition Finals

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James Gill

The Bolz Young Artist Competition finalists for 2024.

The Bolz Young Artist Competition finalists for 2024 are (from left): André Peck, Katarina Kenney, Elliot Lesperance and Jane Story.

media release: Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte, FREE Live Concert and Competition

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in Overture Hall (arrive between 6:15 and 6:45 pm, when doors will close).

Register to attend

2024 Final Forte Finalists

Katarina Kenney, cello — Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85, 4th mvmt

Elliot Lesperance, marimba — Abe’s Prism Rhapsody

Andre Peck, piano — Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, 1st mvmt

Jane Story, violin — Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, 1st mvmt

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is a free concert that is broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. This competition has captured an enormous following and numerous honors, including an Emmy nomination, First Place in the “Special Interest” category from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in 2007, and fifth most-watched program in the February 2007 Nielsen ratings. The 2008 broadcasts reached more than 60,000 viewers and listeners in the Madison market alone and the 2009 broadcasts reached an estimated 200,000 statewide.

The Bolz Young Artist Competition is a highly-regarded statewide competition in which Wisconsin’s young musicians compete for scholarships and the opportunity to perform as soloists with the MSO. The competition is open to Wisconsin residents in grades 9-12. Previous winners may not compete in consecutive years on the same instrument. Contracted musicians of the MSO are ineligible.

The four semi-finalists compete in The Final Forte, which will be broadcast on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. Each winner receives a $2000 scholarship and the Marian Bolz Prize for Distinguished Musical Achievement or the Steenbock Youth Music Award. Up to two Honorable Mention scholarships of $1000 may also be awarded.

Watch Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte live 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 on PBS Wisconsin and on pbswisconsin.org/the-final-forte. The program will also be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. Friday, March 8 and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9 on The Wisconsin Channel (PBS Wisconsin-2).

The full audio program will air live on Wisconsin Public Radio’s NPR News & Music Network at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6.