Young Texas artist music contest sets stage for budding musicians' careers

With its designation as an official music contest of the state of Texas and with generous support from Entergy Texas, the Young Texas Artists Music Competition is set to continue its 23-year tradition of helping to boost the careers of musicians, many of whom have gone on to perform in symphonies and operas around the world.

The competition, slated for March 13-15 at the historic Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe, is a three-day event where participants aged 18- 30 compete in one of four categories: piano; voice; strings; and winds, brass, percussion, harp and guitar. Competitors vie for cash prizes and performance opportunities in venues around the state.

The competition is a division of the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society and is open to Texas residents or students enrolled in a Texas college, university or music school.

"Entergy Texas is pleased to again be part of this wonderful event that has made a significant contribution in furthering the careers of so many talented young artists," said Renee Powers, customer service manager with Entergy Texas.

Event chairman and coordinator Susie Pokorski said she and Emelyne Bingham, YTA's artistic director, are fortunate to be able to stage the competition in Conroe.

"This is a wonderful community that supports the arts," said Pokorski. "People recognize that any time you have a quality event, it benefits the arts and the community around it."

In fact, YTA is part of an effort to revitalize downtown Conroe, particularly in the area of performing arts. "It is one of the many things that the city is proud of. This classical music event rounds out the other genres of music performed here," said Pokorski.

Bingham said the competition is not only a boon for Conroe's art scene but for the artists as well.

"They gain experience in auditioning, which is something that musicians have to get used to doing," she said. "It helps them learn to perform under pressure and to keep their focus."

Bingham said the participants also gain needed critiques of their work from a panel of esteemed judges who offer honest feedback. "They have these five eminently qualified judges who give them very useful comments and bring a different voice to their experience."

Bingham said that judges for the 2008 competition would be announced soon. Other generous sponsors for the 2008 competition include Insurance Associates of Texas, Streater-Smith Honda Nissan, Southwestern Furniture and KUHF 88.7 FM Houston Public Radio.

With the contest only months away, participants have until January 15 to send in their applications.

Those interested can visit the competition Web site at www. youngtexasartists.org <http:// www.youngtexasartists.org> or call Susie Pokorski at 936-756- 7017.

The Young Texas Artists Music Competition was created in 1983 by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization, to promote excellence in musical performance, to encourage young musicians in their pursuit of high artistic standards, and to foster a love for the performing arts in the community and throughout the state of Texas.