Sarah Kim, 18, won the Frederick Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artist Competition 2017. The violinist will be playing American composer Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto in G Major, Op. 14. at our next concert, Romanian Rainbow.
“Sarah Kim is an incredible violinist,” said Maestro Glenn Quader, “We look forward to sharing the stage with her in May.”
The Centennial High School senior studied the violin with Dr. Christian Tremblay and Rebecca Henry for ten and three years, respectively.
She performed as a soloist with the Columbia Orchestra and National Philharmonic Orchestra after winning the annual Concerto Competition in 2013, 2014, and 2015. (See her success in other national musical competitions here.)
The young violinist took masterclasses with world-renowned professors and performed in Argentina and Scotland as well as California, New York, North Carolina, Illinois, and Washington, D.C.
Currently, she’s a member of the Pre-Conservatory Violin Program at Peabody Preparatory at Johns Hopkins University, where she received the Peabody Preparatory Dean’s Recognition Achievement Award in violin and piano. Sarah is also the concertmaster of the Peabody Youth Orchestra after a stint as concertmaster of the Preparatory Young Artists Orchestra.
To get to know our Young Artist Competition winner a little better, we sat down for a quick Q&A with the talented violinist:
Can you describe how you felt going through this competition?
“I first heard of the Young Artist Competition through my brother [Sean Kim]. He’s a cellist who also competed, and was chosen as a finalist as well. I applied very eager and comfortable, and I felt really honored to be competing with fellow musicians who all played at such a high level of both technicality and musicianship.
The organizers were very cordial and welcoming, and I especially enjoyed listening to the final round of the competition. It was nice to see old friends as well.”
Are you looking forward to playing with the Symphony in May?
“I am so honored to play with the Frederick Symphony. The BarberViolin Concerto has a very special place in my heart, and I am elated to be able to play this with a fantastic ensemble.
I met Mr. Quader, [Associate Conductor Andrew] Rosenfeld, and Concertmaster [Alyssa] Boxhill at the competition, and I am very excited to work with such great people.”
What are your plans after high school graduation? Will you continue playing, studying music, or teaching?
“I definitely plan on continuing in studying music and playing violin in university, and I decided to major in Violin Performance.
I believe it is in fact a duty, or mandate, to pass on the discipline to the next generation. Music transcends time and social change.” She plans to commit to a college by May 1, 2017.
How does it feel traveling the world to play at such a young age?
“It’s really a feeling of great gratitude. I am gifted with the opportunities not everyone has, and I feel it’s my duty to share and give back to those who support the journey.
Not simply a matter of traveling the world or experiencing different cultures or meeting great people, which is a large part of it in itself, but moreover the connection between people that music is able to bridge.”
Are you involved in any extracurriculars outside of the violin and piano?
“I am involved in various clubs and organizations at school, such as the National Honor Society and American Red Cross, among others. I volunteer and take part in many events at my church as well.”
To see Sarah and the rest of the Symphony play, click below to purchase tickets to Romanian Rainbow on May 6, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in Jack B. Kussmaul Theater at Frederick Community College: