Express the Music

The 13th Annual Awards Ceremony for the Express the Music competition was held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 at Powell Hall. Special thanks to the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis for once again sponsoring this year’s program.

Dr. Fred Bronstein, SLSO President and Executive Director, welcomed the audience and thanked all finalists, teachers, administrators, family, friends, and the community for their participation and support. Jean Saunders, President of the Symphony Volunteer Association, commented on this year's accomplishments and introduced Ron Klemm, Operations Manager for KFUO-FM/Classic 99, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the program. Laura Coughlin, Board Member for the Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis, and Ward Stare, SLSO Resident Conductor and Music Director of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, presented certificates of merit to all 59 finalists and certificates and monetary awards to the top winners.

The 2010 musical selection for the competition was Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger. Over 3,900 students of 84 teachers in 64 Missouri and Illinois middle and senior high schools participated this year, submitting more than 1,900 entries for judging. Preliminary judging by 51 members of the Symphony Volunteer Association and the community identified 28 finalists in the Junior Division (Grades 6-8) and 31 finalists in the Senior Division (Grades 9-12). Five final judges selected the top three finalists in each Division.

(click image for larger version)

Left to right:
Ward Stare, Resident Conductor, St. Louis Symphony; Laura Coughlin, Board Member, Employees Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis; Melanie Pittaluga; Andrea Dunwiddie; Megan Komos; Lynayah Boyd; Dana Kramer; Ron Klemm, Operations Manager, KFUO-FM; Jean Saunders, President, Symphony Volunteer Association; Marcia Whitson, SVA Express the Music Chair; (Not pictured) Yvonne Krumrey

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2010 Express the Music competition!

SENIOR DIVISION (click on a students’ name to read the winning entry)

First Place - $500 Prize
Melanie Pittaluga
Eureka Senior High School
Wildwood, MO

Second Place - $250 Prize
Andrea Dunwiddie
Eureka Senior High School
Wildwood, MO

Third Place - $100 Prize
Megan Komos
Nerinx Hall High School
Webster Groves, MO

JUNIOR DIVISION (click on a students’ name to read the winning entry)

First Place - $250 Prize
Yvonne Krumrey
Oak Hill Christian School
Ballwin, MO

Second Place - $150 Prize
Lynayah Boyd
Hixson Middle School
Webster Groves, MO

Third Place - $75 Prize
Dana Kramer
Holy Rosary School
Warrenton, MO