ZUPKO WINS AMERICAN COMPOSERS COMPETITION

Mischa Zupko

(Sounding Board, May 2003) In Costa Mesa Calif., the audience spoke, declaring Mischa Zupko winner of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra's American Composers Competition, administered by the Forum.

Zupko's "Canter Into Black," Ryan Francis' "Straits of Anian," and John Kaefer's "Mosaic" were selected as finalists from 198 submissions. The three works were performed by the PSO on March 12, 13, and 15 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Listeners and performers present in the hall on March 12 and 13, along with a live regional audience on K-Mozart radio for the March 13 concert, voted for their favorite works. The votes were tallied and the 31-year-old, Bloomington, Ind., composer was named the winner at the March 15 concert.

"Our goal for the American Composers Competition was to provide a platform for young, gifted composers who might not otherwise receive a high quality performance, and to help them gain a greater confidence in working with professional musicians," says PSO President John Forsyte. "We also wanted to help audiences engage, on a personal level, with the composers and their works."

Zupko received $5,000 commission from the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for a work to be performed during its 2003-04 season. The runners up each received $1,500.