The Elmhurst Symphony Association (ESA) is proud to announce the winners of the 55th annual Dr. Robert Stanger Young Artists Competition, held on Feb. 17 at the Union Church of Hinsdale. Conducted by the ESA and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst, the competition showcased 15 outstanding high school musicians from several Chicago suburbs.
Stanger Audition first-place winner, Bea Sullivan Sjostrom, will perform her winning audition piece as a soloist with the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra during its 2024-25 concert season. The four winners receive certificates and monetary awards as well as the opportunity to play at a Kiwanis Club or Elmhurst Symphony Association function in the future.
Thanks go to the dedicated Symphony volunteers who helped make this event possible. The Symphony is especially grateful to the Stanger Audition’s primary sponsor, the Elmhurst Kiwanis Club, for its long-time support.
Judges and Winners
Special thanks go to this year’s judges Michal Drewnowski, Eli Chen, and Jean Hatmaker, who spent many hours listening to and critiquing these spectacular young performers, choosing four winners:
First Place: Bea Sjostrom, Violin
Junior, Oak Park River Forest High School
Teacher: Kristina Priceman
Mozart Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major, first movement
Second Place: Sofia Radovic, Violin
Senior, Homeschooled, St. Charles
Teacher: Desiree Ruhstraat
Sibelius Violin Concerto No. 1 in d minor, first movement
Third Place: Kai Werlinsky, Violin
Senior, Lyons Township High School
Teacher: Drew Lecher
Sibelius Violin Concerto No. 1 in d minor, first movement
Fourth Place: Joseph Gallwas, piano
Sophomore, York Community High School
Teacher: Jeff Panko
Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 in e minor, Op. 11, third movement
More About the Stanger Young Artist Competition
The Elmhurst Symphony Association, through its Stanger Competition, encourages serious study and high standards among young musicians. It is the Association’s intention that the Competition be both educational and rewarding to each entrant.
This is the 55th annual Dr. Robert Stanger Young Artists Competition held by the Elmhurst Symphony Association. Dr. Robert Stanger was President of Elmhurst College from 1957 to 1965, President of the Elmhurst Symphony Society from 1968 to 1972, and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst for 15 years.
For more information visit ElmhurstSymphony.org/stanger.
