The Bronislaw Kaper Awards For Young Artists are held annually by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the piano and strings instrumental categories, which alternate each year. Named in honor of the late Bronislaw Kaper, a renowned film composer who served for more than 15 years as a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s Board of Directors, the Awards encourage the development of young and gifted musicians.
The January 31 competition was held on stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall for the string instrumental category with Kenneth Renshaw of San Francisco winning first place; Kristie Su of Rolling Hills Estates winning second place; Wesley Yu of Irvine winning third place; and Marina Chen of Irvine and Jessie Chen of Palos Verdes Estates sharing the prize for Most Promising Musician.
Participants were required to play two movements from a solo sonata, partita or suite by J.S. Bach, a Romantic piece of choice, and one of four pre-selected 20th century/contemporary works. Five participants moved on to the finals and performed excerpts from a concerto of their choice.
A panel of musicians from the Los Angeles Philharmonic served as judges for the competition including Mark Kashper, Meredith Snow, Gloria Lum, Jason Lippmann, and Stacy Wetzel.
Award winners receive monetary awards: first place receiving $2,500, made possible by the Foothill Philharmonic Committee; second place receiving $2,000 made possible by Los Angeles Philharmonic Concertmaster Emeritus David Frisina; third prize winning $1,000 made possible by the West Valley Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic; and Most Promising Musician winning $500, made possible by Encore.
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