INSTRUMENTAL 2020 RESULTS – Transcript
Greetings from the City of West Hollywood, the heart of Los Angeles.
My name is Victoria Kuzina. I’m a producer of the Colibri Competition, and I’m here to present an Instrumental Division of 13th International Arts Competition for Young Performers Colibri 2020.
The Competition is organized by Unity in Diversity Arts Foundation, led by the General Producer Lev Volovik, and supported by the City of West Hollywood.
The year 2020, despite being unprecedented, brought new opportunities. For the first time in its history, the Colibri competition was held entirely online. We are proud to inform you that this year we had a record number of 114 participants from 7 countries around the whole world.
Congratulations to all young performers, you truly impressed us with your art.
Thank you to all teachers and parents for your support and hard work.
We say Bravo to each one of you, and hope to see you next year with new programs and desire to compete and win.
Greetings to all participants of the 13th International Arts Competition for Young Performers Colibri 2020. My name is Maxim Kuzin and I am Chair of the Instrumental Division of the Competition. It is my great honor and pleasure to congratulate all of you on the wonderful performances and the results of your hard work. I praise your efforts to prepare and submit your performances regardless of the result as your hard work will eventually payback.
Before my colleagues, Myroslava Khomik and Kevin Kwan Loucks will announce prizewinners in each age category and I will announce Grand Prize winners, I would like to go over the assessment procedures that the judges followed while adjudicating the contestants’ video submissions. Also, I would like to talk briefly about the most common mistakes our contestants did while sending their submissions.
Assessment procedures for judges were determined based on the high standards of integrity and transparency. The scoring was done secretly. No verbal or written discussion of the video submissions was permitted. Each music composition performed by a contestant was assessed on three main parameters: musicality, technical skills, and presentation. Each judge assigned a score from 0 to 10 points for each of the three main parameters resulting in a maximum possible score of 30 points for a piece and 60 maximum points for two pieces. Scores by individual judges were collected and added. Recipients of the highest overall scores were designated as the winners.
The Grand Prix winners were determined based on the highest score among all 1st place winners in the categories of piano and strings respectively.
Most common mistakes
One of the most widespread mistakes that affected the participants’ scores was an edited video and/or video without the introduction of the participant, each music piece, and the date of the performance. The organizers wanted to make sure that you record your video specifically for this competition after its announcement rather than using an old recording made for other purposes.
The difficulty level of the program was another factor. More technically or stylistically challenging programs would get higher scores.
When choosing future competition programs with your teachers, make sure you provide an opportunity for judges to hear three main areas of your musicianship: overall musicality, understanding of different styles, and technical skills. These three components, besides the aforementioned presentation skills, are important if you would like to compete for prizes. For example, if you have two fast technical pieces – one from the baroque era and one from the classical era – it may leave the judges with a question on how would you perform a slower and more cantilena music of the romantic era. And a contestant whose program shows at least a section with this component may get a higher score. This is just one example but you and your teacher can think about appropriate future competition programming.
Your program should not be too difficult or too easy for you. It is better to perform consistently well in a less demanding program rather than choose a challenging program and making mistakes.
It is equally important to make sure that your program is not too short that can question your ability to be consistent over a relatively extended period of time. Some of the more specific common performance mistakes that I encountered in your video submissions included too extensive piano pedaling that makes the sound muddy and unclear;
An inconsistent tempo that changes very noticeably depending on the complexity level of music sections. And a lack of phrasing that distinguishes a meaningful human music language from a mere automatic succession of notes, chords, and harmonies.
Please try to avoid these most common mistakes in your future competition submissions.
Grand Prix Winners
And now is the most exciting time to announce the Grand Prize winners.
The highest score among 1st Prize winners across all age categories in the Piano Division and the title of the Grand Prix winner of the 13th International Arts Competition for Young Performers goes to Ahn Ngo, United States of America. He was competing in the 12 to 14 age category.
The highest score among 1st Prize winners across all age categories in the Strings Division and the title of the Grand Prix winner of the 13th International Arts Competition for Young Performers goes to Antony Karacic, United States of America. He was competing in the 15 to 18 age category.
On behalf of all judges and organizers, I would like to congratulate Ahn and Antony with your great achievement!
Once again, congratulations to all participants, your teachers, and parents for taking part in this competition. We wish you good health, practice hard, and we look forward to seeing you at the Colibri Competition 2021.
Hello, my name is Kevin Kwan Loucks.
I’m an international concert pianist, co-founder of Chamber Music OC, and a member of the Chamber Music Ensemble Trio “Celeste”.
This year, I had the privilege of serving on the jury of the “Colibri” Competition, where I heard some really fine pianists and string players from all over the world. It was really a pleasure to hear all of you. And big congratulations, of course, to you and to your teachers, and to the winners of each division. It was a very competitive year with so many applicants. But if you really rose to the top, really stood out as being deserving of these prizes, so …
I’d first like to recognize Katherine from the First Division. Your Bach and Moszkowski had great energy, great levels of engagement. It really was a fine performance. So, congratulations!
In the Second Division was Nazar, who performed Albéniz and Liszt. These were really well played throughout with great showings of technical command. Congratulations!
Third Division was Kaitlynn. Your Liszt and Haydn were very beautiful. They were tasteful, very well executed. Congratulations to you!
In the Fourth Division was Rosalinda. Your Scriabin and Danielpour were really a joy to listen to. Musically expressive, very tasteful. Congratulations to you and to your teacher, you’re obviously very well taught.
And to Anh who won the Grand Prix. Your performances of Chopin really stood out to the entire jury. Particularly the “Ballade” which you play with great authority. It is a very challenging work, and you sounded it wonderful.
So, congratulations to all the participants! Thank you again!
Hello, my name is Myroslava Khomik and I would like to congratulate all of the participants in the strings division of the Colibri competition 2020.
We had an overwhelming amount of submissions throughout all of the instrumental and age divisions, and it has been a privilege to serve as a judge this year, I had a pleasure to listen to so much great music performed by all these young artists and it is amazing to see much inspiration and enthusiasm coming from each young performer, which gives us a glimpse into a bright future of music. You all worked so hard and made us very proud. It was tough to pick just a few amongst so many beautiful performances. And to me personally, you each are a winner. Being so courageous, pursuing your dreams, working hard every day, and loving the music you make with all your heart. I am delighted to announce the winners for each of the divisions in the strings category.
In the age group of up to 8 years old – Renata Gurevich.
Our youngest contestant – congratulations!
Age group 9 to 11
Valentina Ramos – 1st Place.
Loved your stage presence, you’re very musical and expressive, and grabbed our attention right away. Keep it up and use it to communicate musics through your individuality.
Age group 12 to 14
Clark Snavely – 1st Place.
Your performance is one of the best I have heard and I truly enjoyed it. You sound wonderful and very mature. The combination of your strong technique and musicality allows for a lot of freedom and interpretation and makes it very interesting to listen to. Great job and keep it up
Age group 15 to 18.
Kevin Lu – 1st Place. Congratulations! Great choice of pieces and such a passionate interpretation. I can tell you’re enjoying this music very much. It is easy to get carried away sometimes. So try to be more aware of the places that need more control. So they can be even more climactic.
Finally, huge congratulations to the Grand Prix winner, Anthony Karacic, who played with freedom and confidence. It was enjoyable to hear your music selections.
Bravo to all the teachers and parents who put in a lot of work into these preparations as well.
Thank you all for this exciting week of music together and toi toi toi for the year ahead!