Jo Lombard Awards for NVMTA Composition Competition 2014:

First Place ($150):  Kelvin Nguyen, student of Frances Hollans, for Humble River Suite

Second Place ($75):  Kyle Gatesman, student of Margarita Gramaticova, for Believe in Your Dreams

Third Place ($50):  Daniel Schwartz, student of Marilynne Jost, for Golliwogg’s Cakewalk, arranged for clarinet choir

McLean Symphony Orchestrations 2014: 

Sonatina No. 1, 1st mvt. Tranquil Waters:  Jeremy Foster, student of Ronda Cole
Daydreaming for 6 Bb clarinets (joined onstage by five clarinetists from his high school orchestra):  Daniel Schwartz, student of Marilynne Jost

Both students were recognized by Maestro Fleary during the concert.

Nine NVMTA teachers entered a total of 18 students in the competition. Students ranged in age from 8 to 72. Composers were from the studios of:  Denise Adkins, Ronda Cole, Elaine Gallo, Margarita Gramaticova, Frances Hollans, Andrew Horowitz, Marilynne Jost, Libby McConnell, and Amy Park. There were fewer entries than in past years, but as one judge remarked, “The quality was really high this year.” McLean Symphony Maestro Dingwall Fleary and symphony clarinetist, librarian, and stage manager Davyd Breeskin chose two students’ entries to be performed at their spring concert on Saturday, March 8, 2014.

Judges for this year’s Honors Recital were Mrs. Jo Lombard and Dr. Jesse Guessford. Mr. Alan Baylock assisted in selecting this year’s Jo Lombard Award recipients.    Thirteen students were selected to perform their original compositions on the annual honors recital, which was held Saturday, March 29, 2014, at the Woman’s Club of Arlington. Four students received honorable mentions. The recital was well attended.  After the performances, competition chairs Sheila Epstein and Libby McConnell were joined onstage by NVMTA President Elizabeth Blakeslee to congratulate performers and distribute awards and certificates. Many students had photos made with composer and judge Jo Lombard.