Seattle Young Artists Music Festival

A World Class Music Festival

Performance Opportunities, Adjudications, and Master Classes for Young Musicians

Important Announcements

Registration Opens on December 15th

On 12/15 we will open the on-line registration system where you create
and manage your registration forms. Entries must be submitted online, as
well as mailed. You'll want to mail your registraton early. Last year we ran out
of space in several of our classes. Entries are accepted on a first come, first
served class-slot system. Wait-listed entries will be accommodated as possible.

Registraton forms must be postmarked by January 17th.

2008 Concerto Concert Audio

Audio recordings of the 2008 Concerto Concert are now available on-line.

Harp and Brass Divisions

Visit our Brass or Harp division pages for important announcements

2008 Festival Photos

We hope you enjoy these pictures taken during festival week.
Perhaps there's a picture of you!

Music For Medicine

Feb. 7th. It was a wonderful evening. Following a silent auction and reception, six of our Young Artists performed in a concert hosted by the Seattle Design Center to raise money for the Polyclinic Community Health Foundation. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the festival. King FM's Sean MacLean announced the concert. Sherman Clay of Seattle provided the Steinway D. Special thanks to SYAMF artists: Benji Bae, Timothy Krippner, Arina Nelson, Angela Potter, Sojung Yi and Tim Zhang.

We Have a New Look

SYAMF is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has selected a new logo for the the festival. Special thanks go to Loretta Matson for her tireless efforts in creating and refining design ideas for us to choose from. We're excited about our new look, and hope you are too!

Concerto Concert Audio Now Available

Back by popular request! We've once again made the audio for the concerto concerts available on line. To listen to wonderful performances by our talented young artists, visit our Concerto Concert Page

Young Artists to Perform with the Seattle Symphony

The partnership between the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival Association and Seattle Symphony has provided a number of finalists of the 2008 Festival Concerto Competition the rare opportunity to perform a movement of a concerto with a major orchestra.

"The Seattle Young Artists Music Festival plays a critical role in music education for our young people and helps build the technical and artistic foundation for future classical music performers"

Gerard Schwarz
Music Director, Seattle Symphony

Performing with the Seattle Symphony will be SYAMF Finalists:

Grace Choi
Jila Dabestani
Angela Potter
Rachel Wong

Helen Taverniti Endowment Fund

Helen Taverniti (1921-2005), one of the five original founders of the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival, was a major figure in piano performance and instruction during her 50-plus year career. It was her teaching of gifted students and fellow teachers that she may best be remembered.

Helen was married to John "Jack" Morse, a well known Seattle architect who passed away 2000. The couple, who had so loved music and art, designated a major gift from their joint estate to benefit the SYAMFA and help sustain the Festival in coming years. We are pleased to announce the formation of the "Helen Taverniti Endowment Fund for the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival". The endowment will be reinvested to grow over time while small annual distributions will help cover anticipated increases in the Festival's expenses. Contributions to the endowment fund should be designated separately from gifts to the annual operating fund.

Nesholm Foundation Grant

The Seattle Young Artists Music Festival is pleased to announce that it has been a recent recipient of a $3,000 grant from the Nesholm Family Foundation. The Seattle based Nesholm Family Foundation has dedicated itself to serving the Seattle community by supporting a number of health, education, and performing arts organizations each year since 1986.

FESTIVAL DATES

Registration
December 15th, 2008 -
January 17th, 2009

Festival: March 23-28
(Monday - Saturday)

Concert: May l6, 2009

President's Corner

Early Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. The leisurely days of Summer are behind us, and energy of work and learning abounds. Planning for the upcoming 2009 Festival is well underway, and we are all busy working on details. I know you are keeping busy as well, with your school, your music, and most likely a couple of other activities on the side! I also hope that you occasionally stop to catch your breath, feel the breeze, and notice the change of colors of the leaves. Remember to learn for the sake of learning, and play your instruments for the pure joy of music.

Stay tuned for news about our panel of adjudicators for the 2009 Festival.

Musically Yours,
Firouzeh Nourzad

Volunteers Needed

Have you ever thought it might be fun to help with the Festival? The Seattle Young Artists Music Festival Association is a volunteer organization. The success of the festival depends entirely on the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers. If you'd like to give some of your time to the festival, please contact us. We have opportunities both large and small.