On Saturday, March 7, the annual William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition will take place at the Flint Institute of Music with the five finalists performing beginning at 7pm. The performance is free for all those interested. This year’s category is “strings”. A reception will follow the evening program.
Listen and watch as talented young performers compete for the grand prize of $6,000 and an opportunity to perform with the Flint Symphony Orchestra and Enrique Diemecke, Conductor and Music Director. The competition is sponsored by the St. Cecilia Society of Flint in collaboration with the FIM and FSO.
About St. Cecilia Society of Flint
The St. Cecilia Society of Flint, Michigan was founded in 1890 for the purpose of promoting musical enjoyment and appreciation among its members. The organization has grown to include musical opportunities and scholarships for area residents and to mentor young, promising musicians through the William C. Byrd Young Artist Competition.
The Mission of the Byrd Competition is to provide performance opportunities to help launch musical careers.
All prize monies are donated through the St. Cecilia Society.
About William C. Byrd
William C. Byrd was the director of the Flint Institute of Music and conductor of the Flint Symphony Orchestra from 1966 to 1974. He was an exceptionally talented musician with vision and extraordinary skills for leadership in the various fields of music. Conducting and composing were his main interests, but he also was devoted to the artistic growth of young musicians and had a dream of bringing some of the world’s finest young talent to Flint with the intent of showcasing virtually unknown rising young artists with the Flint Symphony Orchestra.
Byrd initiated the Young Artist Competition in 1970 with the assistance of the St. Cecilia Society of Flint, Michigan. Following his death in 1974, the St. Cecilia Society continued the competition and renamed it the William C. Byrd International Young Artist Competition in his memory.
