Spectacular Young Artist Competition
by Jeanne Bates

The Kelowna Canada Day Concerts Society will introduce two young soloists to Kelowna audiences on July 1, 2014. Young Artist Competition Auditions were held in Kelowna on April 12 for solo performers at two levels: Junior Youth 14 and under and Senior Youth from 15 to 21.

The two Winners in the Junior Youth Category were Mandy Jong and Jacob Bennett.

Mandy performed beautifully with the contemporary piano piece “Scherzo” by Canadian composer Oskar Morawetz.
Jacob did an excellent job of performing the very challenging violin rhapsody “Czardas” by V. Monte. When asked how long he had been playing violin 13-year-old Jacob replied, “Nine years.”

Tenor Jaxon Jensen, 16, was Winner in the Senior Youth category. Jaxon sang Mozart’s “An Chloe” in the original German. He went on to steal the show with a lively rendition of “I Am Aldolpho” from the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone”.

Runner up in the Senior Youth category was tenor Conagher Jones, 18, who performed the aria “Ho Capito” from Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni”, along with another work from Conagher’s extensive repertoire.
Both Jaxon Jensen and Conagher Jones are students of Alexandra Babbel. Their excellent voices have already been heard onstage in performance with Opera Kelowna.

Mandy Jong, Jacob Bennett and Jaxon Jensen will perform as soloists during the free Canada Day Spectacular Concert on July 1st in Prospera Place. At this time, all four young musicians will be presented with scholarships from the Kelowna Canada Day Concerts Society.

The Kelowna Canada Day Spectacular POPS Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Leonard Camplin, will be celebrating its 20th year. The orchestra is comprised of professional, adult volunteer and student musicians. The organization (www.kelownacanadadayspectacularconcert.com) is a registered charity. It supports education and performance opportunities for outstanding musicians.