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Dubuque Symphony Announces 2023 Student Concerto Competition Winners

The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Student Concerto Competition. It was held in Jansen Hall, Clarke University on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

Judging 10 performances were Eleanor Bartsch, DSO Concertmaster; Dr. Timothy Hagen, DSO Principal Flute, and Philip Bergman, DSO Principal Cello.

Gavin Weinbender

Euphonium player Polaris Buttles, 15 years old from Lancaster, WI, took first place for their performance of Ferdinand David’s Concertino in Eb Major, third movement. Polaris is a student of Paul Miller. The PR didn’t mention this, but first place winner – Polaris Buttles – will be performing her piece with the DSO at the Summer Melodies concert June 25.

Violinist Gavin Weinbender, 14 years old from Dubuque, IA, won second place for his performance of Dmitri Kabalevsky’s Violin Concerto in C Major, third movement. Gavin is a student of Paul Price-Brenner.

Violinist Alec Bowman, 16 years old from Dubuque, IA, won third place for his performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto La Primavera. Alec is a student of Lisa Guttenberg.

Alec Bowman

Honorable Mention was awarded to Clarinetist Abigail Taliaferro, age 17, from Delmar, IA, studying with Micki Marolf and Bassoonist Addilyn Dolan, age 14 from Dubuque, IA, studying with Marcia Martin.

The competition is sponsored by the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra League. It is open to 8th-12th grade students in the tri-state area and designed to inspire more advanced students to prepare, audition, and compete for the opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra.

For more information regarding Dubuque Symphony Orchestra education programs, call (563) 557-1677 or visit DubuqueSymphony.org.

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