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Flutist Arin Sarkissian and percussionist Andrew Busch have been awarded the 2024 Michael Measures Prizes. The Michael Measures Prize is awarded in a partnership between the Nationwide Youth Orchestra of Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts.
The Prize is given to solely two younger classical musicians between the ages of 16 and 24.
- First Place ($25,000): Arin Sarkissian, Flute (British Columbia)
- Second Place ($15,000): Andrew Busch, Percussion (Ontario)
“We’re extremely happy with Arin and Andrew,” says Christie Grey, CEO of NYO Canada in a press release. “Their distinctive expertise and dedication to their craft are actually inspiring. The Michael Measures Prizes play a significant function in recognizing and fostering excellence within the subsequent era of Canadian orchestral musicians, and these two exceptional younger artists embody this system’s significance.”
Arin Sarkissian
Toronto-born Arin Sarkissian is at the moment the Principal Flutist of the Victoria Symphony. He’s competed within the Michael Measures Prize in earlier years, having are available second in 2022, and positioned as a finalist on different events.
He’s the first flutist to win First Prize.
“A lot of my musical experiences helped me put together for Michael Measures. Profitable an orchestral audition and profitable a solo competitors are two totally different talent units, and I study greatest via trial and error. I’ve taken so many auditions and competed so many occasions previously; generally, even while you assume you’re going to lose, you in some way find yourself profitable, and the identical rings true vice-versa. Acknowledging this unpredictability, I’ve realized to belief in my preparation and let the remaining unfold the way it will — I can solely management what’s in my management!” feedback Arin in a press release.
The highway to a musical profession started when younger Arin was in search of a free interval again in grade 4. That quest led to band class, the place his instructor impressed him to work together with his love for music. He earned a Bachelor of Music with Distinction in Analysis and Artistic Works from Rice College, adopted by a Skilled Research Certificates from The Colburn College.
Alongside together with his full-time place in Victoria, Arin has carried out as a visitor with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Nationwide Arts Centre Orchestra, and Vancouver Symphony. He’s engaged on a solo album.
“NYO acknowledges the significance of celebrating treasures of the previous whereas additionally welcoming the brand new,” he says. “By way of NYO, I discovered an oasis of sources each in efficiency and past which have proved to be helpful all through my rising profession.”
“In a world of ideological divides and digital takeovers, it’s changing into an increasing number of uncommon to relish in a way of dwell, in-person group,” he provides. “To me, classical music does simply that in maybe essentially the most distinctive of how… That unparalleled feeling of connecting so many individuals in an area to at least one united focus is the closest factor to a non secular expertise I do know.”
Andrew Busch
Andrew Busch additionally made historical past together with his win, because the first percussionist to take house the second prize.
Andrew just lately accomplished a Grasp’s diploma on the College of Toronto, the place he was the recipient of the Canada Graduate Scholarships — Grasp’s Program award, and a College of Toronto Fellowship.
His journey in music started at a younger age, training on the drum package his dad used for weekend gigs. He went on to check piano and trombone, however returned to percussion.
Andrew is a laureate of the 2018 Nationwide Music Pageant of Canada and the 2020/21 Maritsa Brookes Concerto Competitors, and has launched a performing profession as each a chamber and orchestral musician in North America and Europe. He has carried out at Toronto’s Koerner Corridor, Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Prague’s Žofín Palace.
Andrew remembers his emotions when he utilized to NYO Canada for the primary time. “I used to be extraordinarily excited to carry out in a top-level orchestra with different younger, motivated musicians,” he says in a press release. “I had heard tales about this system from buddies who participated in earlier years, and it appeared like an extremely optimistic surroundings.”
He feedback on the win and its significance.
“Probably the most difficult issues about percussion is the continuation of your profession after graduating from a post-secondary establishment,” he says. “All through college, percussionists have limitless entry to marimbas, vibraphones, xylophones, glockenspiel, timpani, cymbals, varied drums, and the record goes on and on. As soon as percussionists graduate with their levels, they all of a sudden lose entry to those devices, which may make observe extraordinarily tough.
“I’ll use the Michael Measures prize cash to put money into devices that I don’t at the moment personal, to broaden my assortment of drumsticks, mallets, beaters, and percussion equipment, and to place cash in the direction of future classes, masterclasses, utility charges, and journey for skilled auditions. This manner, I can proceed to develop my technical abilities and musicianship whereas additionally being in a safe place to arrange for skilled orchestral auditions. I’m extremely grateful for this chance and for the help of the Michael Measures Prize, and pledge to make use of 100% of the prize cash in the direction of profession growth as knowledgeable percussionist.”
Hear The NYO Canada Dwell On Tour
NYO Canada’s 2024 Horizons Tour will highlight Arin Sarkissian performing Einojuhani Rautavaara’s Flute Concerto ‘Dances with the Winds’. This system may also embody Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra and Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 in D Main, with tour dates that start July 18 in Kingston, and finish July 31 in Calgary, hitting Toronto’s Koerner Corridor on July 19.
Tickets and full tour particulars [HERE].
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Anya Wassenberg is a Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. She is an skilled freelance author, blogger and writing teacher.
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