Ten Prodigies Triumph at the 2012 Van Buren Concerto Competition

Portland, April 10th.  A Gala Concert spotlighted the ten winners of the 18th annual Young Artists Debut contest. MetroArts Inc. organized the competition. The 10 soloists were selected from an initial pool of 51 entrants. Winners performed with Neil DePonte and an orchestra drawn from the ranks of the Oregon Symphony and Oregon Ballet Theatre orchestras at the Newmark Theatre. (Photo Credit, John Rudoff, M.D.)

The concert was sponsored by Mr. John VanBuren in support of the children of the Portland, Vancouver communities in pursuing their musical goals.

After this year’s competition, Niel DePonte, who is also music director and conductor for Oregon Ballet Theatre and who has been nominated for a Grammy Award as a concerto soloist himself said, “This is an exciting class of young artists and, on average, one of the youngest we’ve ever had. I look forward to working with them for the next few months and having them make appearances in schools and other venues along the way. They are terrific role models for other children, showing what hard work and determination can achieve.”

 About MetroArts Inc.:

MetroArts Inc’s mission is to teach creative and critical thinking processes through innovative arts education programs and curricula.

MetroArts mission consists of three fundamental objectives to support the ideal:

• To inspire every participant in the programs to contribute to the culture of their times by doing their life’s work in a creative, artistic, joyful and disciplined manner.
• To educate about the arts of all cultures, provide insight into the process of creative thought and experiences with creativity itself. To promote access to the arts through participation, creation and reflection for all.
• To create partnerships that enable arts education to thrive in the public schools.