The Final Forte was an amazing display of heart and talent. All four finalists gave beautiful performances, and the MSO would like to congratulate them all for their courage and dedication. Marimba player Greg Riss received the Marian Bolz Award, violinist Alice Huang received the Steenbock Youth Music Award and both pianist Joel Weng and violinist Leah Latorraca received Honorable Mentions. In addition, all four young artists received scholarships. Greg and Alice will be featured soloists at the Spring Young People's Concert on Tues March 4. All four finalists go forward with our best wishes for a life rich with the beauty of music.

Wisconsin Public Radio will re-broadcast the concert on Mon May 17 at Noon. The Wisconsin Public Television broadcasts both took place in January.

The unique partnership among the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television is producing award-winning programming! Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte earned First Place in the "Special Interest" category from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in 2007. The 2008 broadcasts on WPR and WPT reached more than 60,000 viewers in the Madison market alone. Rated the fifth most watched program in the Feb 2007 Nielsen ratings, the television audience was 63 percent greater than WPT's average audience in the Madison market. There were an estimated 200,000 viewers and listeners for the 2009 broadcasts.

"This has been a very auspicious partnership. The quality of the broadcasts and the performances of the finalists are simply spectacular. I think this sends a magnificent message to our community and to the entire state of Wisconsin about the importance and effectiveness of our music education programs. It is an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to feel the commitment and energy of these young performers and to reflect on the central role the arts play in our lives. I look forward to these events with great joy."

"Thank you for The Final Forte. That's the most wonderful television I've ever seen. I am so impressed by the talent of those young people...I hope we'll see more of these talented Wisconsin artists...."

Please download the 2010 Registration Form. If you need more information on the competition, please contact MSO Education Director Michelle Kaebisch at 608.257.3734 or mkaebisch@madisonsymphony.org.

Please contact MSO Development Director Robin Johnson at 608.257.3734 or rjohnson@madisonsymphony.org.