PORT ANGELES — With adaptations, the Port Angeles Symphony is hosting its annual event for young musicians this Saturday at 11 a.m.
Jonathan Pasternack, the symphony’s music director and conductor, has invited student performers to create short videos and submit them to the Nico Snel 2022 Young Artist Adjudication, an event that before COVID-19 restrictions was held in person and open to the public at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
A variety responded to the invitation, including violinist Aliyah Yearian and violist Magdaline Ferland, both 16 and from Port Townsend, and vocalist Liam Getzin and violinist Adam Weller, both 18 and from Port Angeles. Joshua Yearian, a 13-year-old pianist from Port Townsend, signed up in the junior category.
“We remain committed to an inclusive event,” whatever the technological challenges might be, Pasternack said in a message to participants at the beginning of this month. If you have any problem with your video recording or uploading, he told the students, contact the symphony office at 360-457-5579, and you’ll receive support.
Pasternack, along with Port Angeles Symphony concertmaster Jory Noble and Seattle cellist Michael Center, are the adjudicators who will offer their comments on the video performances this Saturday.
For their participation, the young musicians will receive scholarship awards: $250 each for the senior category and $175 for the junior.
“We consider them all to be winners, as they are putting their hearts and souls into preparing their solo pieces,” Pasternack said Thursday, the deadline for uploading videos.
Music lovers who want to watch the adjudication can receive the link for livestreaming it by emailing PA Symphony@olypen.com, while more about the symphony’s activities, including this season’s concerts, is found at www.portangeles symphony.org.
Jefferson County senior reporter Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-417-3509 or durbanidelapaz@peninsuladaily news.com.
