THE ARTHUR FRASER COMPETITION

Ever since its 2005 partnership with the University of South Carolina Southeastern Piano Festival, the Arthur Fraser International Piano Concerto Competition has occurred on Friday at the end of the festival during the third week of June. This year’s festival opened Sunday, June 12, 2011, and concluded with the Arthur Fraser International Competition at the end of the week.

Twenty young pianists between the ages of 13 and 18 from all over the United States auditioned for and were selected to participate. After the performance of the participants, the judges met to determine the winners.

Discretionary awards went to Andrew Tung, Allison Freeman and Frank Wu. The Young Jury Award went to Francisco Chomnalez. Bolton Ellenburg was the third place winner. Vanessa Haynes won second place and Zachary Hughes first place.

Hughes, a twelfth grader from Travelers Rest, South Carolina, performs with the South Carolina Philharmonic during the 2012 - 2013 season; Haynes and Ellenberg perform with the Philharmonic this season.

Marina Lomazov, artistic director for the festival and competition complimented Symphony League volunteers for their assistance during the competition. Over 20 League members assisted by setting up a “Snack and Chat” room, monitoring the USC Recital Hall lobby and selling festival t-shirts, booklets and student performance DVDs. Gift boxes were distributed to the competition participants, Artist Showcase pianists, competition accompanist and festival faculty and judges. Volunteers took photographs of the competition winners and monitored the student participants backstage during the competition. It was a rewarding and exciting time for all!