RIVERSIDE SYMPHONIA INVITES YOUNG MUSICIANS TO APPLY FOR 2022 CAPRIO COMPETITION
Prizes for classical music students in NY, NJ and PA
Lambertville, NJ; January 2022: The Riverside Symphonia, a professional orchestra celebrating its 32nd year serving audiences in the Delaware Valley, is pleased to announce the 2022 Caprio Young Artists Competition will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 3:00pm in Lambertville, NJ. This important regional competition provides a unique opportunity for exceptional young musicians to perform, compete, and receive cash prizes: a $2000 First Prize and the opportunity to perform with the Riverside Symphonia and Maestro Marius Smolij; a $1000 Second Prize; and a $500 Third Prize. Classical music students (excluding keyboard) who live or study in New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania and who will be no more than 22 years of age on June 3, 2022 are eligible to apply. The application and audition deadline is Monday, April 4, 2022. The final live round will be judged live at South Hunterdon Regional High School, 301 Mt Airy-Harbourton Road, Lambertville, NJ.
Since 1998, the Caprio Competition has attracted over 180 student applications with $45,000+ in prize money distributed. As an important community outreach of the Riverside Symphonia, the Caprio Competition has a mission to recognize, promote and encourage the development of excellence in classical young musicians.
Caprio "alumni" winners can be found performing all over the world. You can hear and see them on YouTube or on their websites: 1998: Jeremy Kurtz Harris; 2000: Denise Djokic; 2002: Hannah Stitzinger Eldridge; 2006: Fora Baltacigil; 2008: Malwina Sosnowski; 2010: Clare Semes; 2012: Piotr Filochowski; 2016: Zachary Fung; 2018: Robin Park; 2020: Chelsie Lim.
The competition honors the life and legacy of John-Michael Caprio, Founding Music Director and Conductor of the Riverside Symphonia who was the former director of music for the Archdiocese of New York and Choir Director at St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, NY. John-Michael encouraged and inspired people of all ages with his love of music.
This program is made possible in part by funds from the Arts & Letters Foundation, New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; and Barbara and Jay Belding.
The Riverside Symphonia is pleased to announce the winners of the 2020 Caprio Young Artists Competition, offering exceptional young musicians 22 years old and under who live or study in NJ, NY or PA the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to perform with the orchestra. The $2000 First Prize recipient is Chelsie Lim, cello, a 16 year old student in the Pre-College Program at the Juilliard School of Music. The $1000 Second Prize recipient is Dylan Hamme, violin, a 17 year old student in the Pre-College Program at the Juilliard School of Music. The $500 Third Prize recipient is Yihang Li, cello, a 15 year old student who graduated from the Pre-College Program at the Juilliard School and is now a student at Northwestern University.
The Caprio Competition honors the life and memory of John Michael Caprio, founding Founding Music Director and Conductor of the Riverside Symphonia. Since 1998, many outstanding musicians have received financial support and performance opportunities. Over $50,000 in contributions has made this competition possible. Thank you to our 2020 sponsors. First Prize: The Arts & Letters Foundation, New York, NY; Second Prize: Barbara & Jay Belding, New Hope, PA; Third Prize: ShopRite of Flemington, Flemington, NJ.
Listen now to our winners:
Chelsie Lim, Dvorak Cello Concerto in B minor, 1st movement:
Dylan Hamme, Barber Concerto for Violin and Orchestra,1st movement:
Yihang Li, Shostakovich Cello Concerto, 1st movement
Press:
Bucks County Herald 2016
Comments from Past Winners
“Winning the Caprio Competition was a very important milestone for me in the development of my musical life. The competition provided me the opportunity to perform with a wonderful orchestra and conductor, and experience the kind of preparation this would demand of a performer. It was a particularly special moment for me to play with the Riverside Symphonia in Lambertville since my grandparents have been long time residents of New Hope/Lambertville. I feel very lucky to have had this privilege and am grateful for the opportunities that this organization is offering to young artists today.”
Denise Djokic, Cellist. 2000 First Prize Winner.
Soloist, Teacher, Recording Artist.
“I have great memories of the Caprio competition! Everyone in the organization was so welcoming and friendly during the process. Since the final round was open to the public and followed by a reception where the audience met the performers, the sense of community was a very positive experience.”
Clare Semes, Violinist, 2010 First Prize Winner.
Performer, Les Deux Violins; Graduate of the Juilliard School.
“Participating in the Caprio Young Artists Competition was a memorable experience during my undergraduate studies. The competition served as a good performance goal to work towards, and the concert with the Riverside Symphonia was one of the first times that I had the opportunity to perform as soloist with a symphony orchestra. I learned a lot from these wonderful events and had fun as well.”
Jeremy Kurtz-Harris, Double Bass, 1998 First Prize Winner.
Principal Bassist, San Diego Symphony, Teacher, Recording Artist.
The Riverside Symphonia is pleased to offer its performances in a barrier-free venue. Audience members who need special assistance should contact the Symphonia office at 609-397-7300 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
.