The Bucks County Symphony Orchestra announces its 2024 Youth Concerto Competition winners. Auditions were held in Doylestown on April 27, with nine young people ages 10-14 participating.
Elijah Song, 12, won first prize in the auditions for his inspired performance of Édouard Lalo’s “Cello Concerto in D minor” (1st movement). The judges praised his rich tone quality, superior fluency, and excellent phrasing and technique.
As winner of the competition, Elijah receives the prestigious Jeanne Marvin Phillips Prize and an invitation to perform with the BCSO at the 2024 Family Concert in December. Phillips was a dedicated music educator and classical pianist who helped establish the BCSO in 1953. The Youth Concerto Competition honors the significant contributions she made to the orchestra’s artistic development and her encouragement of young musicians.
Elijah is a student at Tamanend Middle School, where he plays cello in the String Ensemble and piano in the Swing Ensemble. He participates in the Chess Club, UNICEF Club, STEM Club, and Reading Olympics.
Elijah’s musical journey began at the age of 5, and he currently studies under the guidance of Priscilla Lee, associate principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra. He is a member of the Young Musician Debut Orchestra and the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra, and frequently performs in concerts within the local community alongside his pianist mother and his violinist sister as a member of the Song Trio.
Since 2020, he has been an active member of the Grace Chamber Music Youth Club, dedicated to raising awareness about disabilities and fundraising. He has had the honor of performing several times at the Special Olympics Montgomery County fundraising concert. Additionally, Elijah takes pride in his membership in the Global Music Partnership.
In recent competitions, Elijah was selected as a recipient of a scholarship from the Warminster Symphony Orchestra. He was awarded second place for piano in the 18th Young Korean Musicians Competition and first place for cello in the 19th edition. He also achieved second place at the Opus Music Competition.
The BCSO recognized the Second Prize winner of the Youth Concerto Competition, 14-year-old Elliot Anderson, for his performance of Saint-Saëns’ “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.” Honorable Mentions were awarded to 13-year-old Julie Zheng for her performance of Sarasate’s “Zigeunerweisen” and 13-year-old Raymond Wu for his performance of Saint-Saëns’ “Violin Concerto No. 3” (1st movement).
For information on the BCSO’s annual Youth Concerto Competition, visit BucksCountySymphony.org/education-and-youth.
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