Bach, Beethoven & Barbeque: Young Texas Artists Music Competition 30th Anniversary Gala

CONROE, TX – The Young Texas Artists Music Competition (YTA) celebrates three decades of showcasing and supporting the state’s classical music rising stars with the Bach, Beethoven and Barbecue Gala on Saturday, March 8, 2014, at the Crighton Theatre, 234 North Main Street in Conroe’s downtown historic district.

“YTA’s 30^th Anniversary Celebration will be our biggest yet,” said Marge Hayward, who is co-chairing the gala with her husband, Steve. “This year, we are thrilled to celebrate many talented performers from the past 30 years who have gone on to distinguished careers in music.” She added that a live auction will feature a limited number of exciting items. Honorees for the 2014 celebration are long-time YTA supporters Carol and Dr. Douglas Aycock.

The Texas-themed evening begins with a barbecue feast by Texan Barbecue & Catering at 6:00 p.m. in a grand tent on Main Street, just outside the Crighton Theatre. At 7:30 p.m., the 2014 YTA Finalists’ Concert and Awards begins in the Crighton Theatre, with master of ceremonies St. John Flynn from KUHA Classical 91.7fm and special guest and classical pianist, Jade Simmons.

Eight finalists of an intense, three-day competition will perform for an audience of music lovers and a panel of five judges from Milwaukee’s Florentine Opera Company, Aspen Music Festival and School, Houston Chamber Choir, National Symphony Orchestra, and Manhattan School of Music. The finalists, ages 18-32, will compete for the gold medal in each category (Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar) and a grand prize.  A total of $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, as well as performance opportunities with respected music organizations.  Audience members will also vote for their favorite performer and bestow an Audience Choice Award.

Bach, Beethoven and Barbecue gala tickets also include admission to the after-party celebration immediately following the awards ceremony. This post-concert dessert and wine party will offer guests the opportunity to meet and visit with the Young Texas Artists.

Attire for the gala is “Jeans to Jewels,” and both the dinner and after-party will feature the Texas-style music of the Smith Sound band.

Tickets

Ticket holders for the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue event also enjoy preferred seating in the Crighton Theatre for the concert, the dinner and the after-party. Individual tickets are $125 per person ($100 per person for MCPAS subscribers and members of the YTA Circle) and are available for purchase from the Crighton Theatre Box Office, www.crightontheatre.org or 936-441-7469.

Tickets for the YTA Finalist Concert only are $28 and are also available at the Crighton Theatre Box Office.

For sponsorship opportunities, membership in the YTA Circle, or for more information about the evening, contact Susie Pokorski at susiepokorski@gmail.com or 936-756-7017.

Young Texas Artists Music Competition was created in 1983 by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society in an effort to encourage excellence in young musicians and to further artistic growth throughout Texas. Judges are distinguished artists who have achieved acclaim in their respective disciplines. Candidates are generally pursuing a career in classical music and are either residents of Texas or enrolled in Texas music schools. For more information, visit www.youngtexasartists.org.