Valerie Clare Sanders is one of four teen-age performers who will take part in the Bolz Young Artist Concerto Competition with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Valerie will be playing the Cadenza and Burlesque from Shostakovich's Violin Concerto No. 1. And, she'll be in good company. The other performers featured earlier in this blog include Elliot Yang on cello, Ariela Bohrod on piano and Leah Latorraca on violin. This is the fifth year Wisconsin Public Broadcasting has covered this competition. Every year the level of musicianship is quite astonishing. If you'd like to hear their performances tune in to 'Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte' on Wisconsin Public Radio on March 16 starting at 7pm. You can watch the competition on Wisconsin Public Television on March 28 at 8pm and April 2 at 3:30pm.

Leah Latoracca is returning for her third time in the Bolz Young Artist Concerto Competition with the Madison Symphony Orchestra. This violinist is one of the most dedicated young musicians I've ever met. She takes seriously that old joke "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?" "Practice, practice, practice." Each year that she's been in this competition we've documented her amazing progress from the age of 14 to now 17. You can hear her on Wisconsin Public Radio in the program, 'Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte' live from Overture Hall on March 16 starting at 7pm. You can watch the competition on Wisconsin Public Television on March 28 at 8pm and April 2 at 3:30pm. This program will also be simulcast on-line at wpt.org.

Ariela Bohrod comes from a very artistic family. Her grandfather, Aaron Bohrod, was a painter who made a name for himself creating intricate trompe-l'oeil still lifes. Her father Neil is also a prolific painter. Her mother folds magnificent origami works, including one that won her a prestigious award in Japan. Ariela sat down at a piano at age 4 and never looked back. She's attending high school at Interlochen Arts Academy, a boarding school in Michigan and says it's arts and music 24/7, just the way she likes it. She's one of 4 young musicians who will be featured in the program Final Forte: Wisconsin Young Artists Compete. If you'd like to know more about her tune in to Wisconsin Public Radio on March 16 at 7pm or Wisconsin Public Television on March 28 at 8pm.

This time of year my focus turns to music, specifically the Bolz Young Artist Competition offered by the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Our broadcast coverage is called Final Forte: Wisconsin Young Artists Compete. Last Saturday more than 30 high school age musicians participated in the preliminary round of competition. Eight of them made it to the semi-finals. On Wednesday, December 8, only four will advance to compete in the Final Forte program. We'll be documenting their stories as well as presenting their competition performances in Overture Hall with the Madison Symphony Orchestra on March 16. I'll add updates on their progress at each stage.

I often hear people comment on how quickly time flies, especially during the summer. "I can't believe it's the end of June already!" Well, for me the end of June is the kick off to my work on the Concerts on the Square series. For the last 3 years Wisconsin Public Television has broadcast 3 of the 6 concerts. And, since I produce the coverage, my deadline for pre-production makes this week seem earlier than it really is.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE working on these shows. The music is always enjoyable and it really is a treat to be able to share this wonderful summer tradition with viewers who can't come in person. The guest artist for the first concert is Joseph Hauer, a gifted young pianist from Appleton who won the Young Artists Concerto Competition.

So, if you'd like to watch this show tune Friday, July 2 at 8pm or Sunday, July 4 at 6pm.

Lately I've been reporting on music education in a couple different age groups in Madison. One story will chronicle the amazing accomplishments of a 17-year-old trumpet player who made it into the most prestigious competition in the country. The other story looks at a program for the elementary school end of the age spectrum. It's called Music Makers. It's the brain child of a dedicated music teacher, named Bonnie Green, who wants all kids, including those from low-income families, to have a chance to experience the joy of music. Look for these stories in the coming months on In Wisconsin.

This is a familiar face for those who saw our production of 'Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte' in February, 2009. His name is Ansel Norris. Two years ago he earned an honorable mention competing on his trumpet with the Madison Symphony Orchestra.

Since then Ansel has come far. He just won a gold medal, one that comes with a $10,000.00 cash award, at a national competition open only to high school seniors. It's called YoungArts and is sponsored by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

At YoungArts he spent a week in master classes, attending workshops, and performing with his musical peers. We'll bring you his story in an upcoming edition of In Wisconsin.

I don't think I'm giving anything away when I tell you that the kid on the marimba wins. That's because 'Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte' aired live on Wisconsin Public Radio on Tuesday, January 12. This program is a co-production with Wisconsin Public Television which will air the show on Saturday, January 16, at 7pm and again on Wednesday, January 20, at 9pm.

The 4 teenage musicians who compete in this show are so good it's hard to believe they're still in high school. I think their performances, backed by the Madison Symphony Orchestra, are just spectacular. I hope you agree.

I'd like to tell you about Alice Huang, the fourth and last teen-age competitor in the Final Forte program. Alice actually won this competition last year playing piano. This year, as a junior, she's performing on violin which she says is harder for her. You'd never know it when you watch her play.

Alice is doing something with her violin expertise besides performing. She volunteers once a week to teach violin to young low-income kids, many of them recent immigrants, as part of the Music Makers program. This program goes to community centers to teach during after school hours and provides violins that these kids can take home and practice on.

I had a chance to witness the success of this program recently and was impressed with how much practice these kids are obviously putting in at home.