Carroll Symphony Orchestra Names Young Composers

Everyone knows the names of venerable composers such as Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven.  However, the Carroll Symphony Orchestra announces seven young composers whose names may one day be as familiar to audiences as those of the old masters: the winners of the 2011 Carroll Symphony Orchestra Young Composer Competition are Joseph Snipes (4^th grade), Elijah Green (6^th), Emma Eddleman (8^th), Nathan Skinner (8^th), Kati Lowe (11^th), Sam Park (11^th), and Shannon Scott (12^th).  

 The CSO Young Composer Contest, in its eighth year, is the only program of its kind in the U.S. and is open to all students, elementary through high school, residing in Carroll and Haralson Counties. It is also exclusively for students in the areas served by the Carroll Symphony Orchestra, as Conductor Terry Lowry explained, “A student in Atlanta or Manhattan cannot enter this competition.” 

In the fall, the competitors receive a musical theme on which they are to write a short piece for piano, no longer than four minutes’ length. Treatment of the theme may range from simple chordal accompaniment to advanced contrapuntal techniques and thematic transformations.

 The compositions are then forwarded to a judge who reviews and ranks them, with the winners chosen from each of the three categories, Elementary School (K – grade 5), Middle School (grades 6-8) and High School (grades 9-12). 

Having been selected, the winning young composers receive individual orchestration lessons with Terry Lowry, Conductor and Music Director of the CSO, to orchestrate their pieces for a debut performance by the Carroll Symphony on December 15, 2011. 

 Patrons of the Carroll Symphony Orchestra will recognize several of the young composers from their prior wins.  Shannon Scott has won three of the four years she has entered, Sam Park, five of the six years, and Kati Lowe, six of the seven years she has entered. "There are few satisfactions as great as watching a student grow and develop as a composer," commented Board Chairman Steve Gradick. "It is the Carroll Symphony Orchestra and its supporters which help make it all possible for these very talented young people." With the performance of these seven students’ 2011 compositions, the Carroll Symphony Orchestra will have debuted 70 original works by the winners of the Young Composer Competition. 

 Mount Zion fourth-grader Joseph Snipes, son of Marjorie Snipes and the youngest composer, has been studying music for four years with Ms. Laura Gordy.  This is his first year to enter the competition. His favorite activities other than music include art and tree climbing.  He commented that his favorite part of the competition has been “working with Mr. Terry.”

 Sixth-grader Elijah Green, of Central Middle School, is the son of Dave Green and Jennifer Green.  He has been studying music for five years, with David Trumble and Terry Lowry.  He has been a winner both years he has entered the competition. He stated that he particularly enjoyed “mixing the instruments” for his orchestration. His other activities include art, writing, video games, math, singing, and building. 

 Emma Eddleman, an eighth-grader at Carrollton Junior High, is the daughter of Robby and Dena Eddleman. A pupil of Terry Lowry, Emma has been studying music for eight years. This is her first year to enter the competition.  In addition to music, she enjoys reading.  When asked what her favorite part of the competition has been, she replied, “being able to compete against the others.”

 Eighth-grader Nathan Skinner, of Carrollton Junior High, has been studying music five years and is a student of Bernie Wong. This is his first year to enter the competition. He is the son of Derek and Amy Skinner. In addition to writing the music for the competition, he also enjoys making and editing his own videos.

 Kati Lowe, a junior at Central High School and a student of Terry Lowry, has been studying music 10 years, and enjoys art as well as music. She is the daughter of Jerry and Diane Lowe. Her favorite parts of the competition are orchestrating and then hearing her finished work performed by the symphony. 

 Junior Sam Park, Oak Mountain Academy, is the son of Sanran Park and Charlie Park.  A student of Terry Lowry, Sam has been studying music for 14 years.  He volunteers at Tanner Hospital and is captain of OMA’s Academic Quiz Bowl team.  He commented that his favorite part of the competition is hearing the “completed piece played on the stage by a full orchestra.”

 Shannon Scott is a senior at Villa Rica High and the daughter of Genine and Clifton Scott. She has been studying music for seven years with Mr. Carter, Mrs. Parker, and Mr. Pollock.  In addition to music, Shannon enjoys writing poetry.  She plays trombone and is exploring the stringed instruments, starting with the cello.  She stated that she “enjoyed the experience, the exposure, and the feeling of accomplishment” that have come with the competition. 

 Tickets for the Christmas with the CSO Concert at which the Young Composers’ works will debut can be purchased by phoning the University of West Georgia’s Townsend Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, 10:00-4:00: 687-839-4722 or through the University Box Office webpage, http://www.townsendcenter.org/  Limited seating is still available.