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Judith Elser Concerto Competition

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Congratulations to the competitors in the 2026-2027 competition!

We are pleased to announce the finalists for our 5th biennial Judith Elser Concerto Competition:

  • Miles Benson, Trombone (Bowdoin College)
  • Kelly Li - Violin (Bates College)
  • Roy Li - Piano (Colby College)
  • George Turner de Harcourt Huberty - Piano (Colby College)
  • James Stuber - Cello (Bowdoin College)


These talented musicians will perform in front of our judges and a live audience on May 27, 2026, to earn the chance to be featured in an MSO concert in the 2026-2027 season. All are welcome at this free event!

 

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About the competition:

MSO's Judith Elser Concerto Competition for college students is held every other year, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students - not necessarily studying for a degree in music - who are enrolled in a Maine college or university and who submit an application by the deadline.  Five finalists are selected to perform in a live event that is open to the public, after which a panel of expert judges deliberates to determine a winner and runner-up. 

The winning competitor receives $1,000 from the Judith Elser Concerto Fund, and performs as guest soloist at one of MSO's concerts in the following season.

 

Previous competitions: 

2024-2025:

Finalists performed before judges and a live audience in May 2024 at the Franco Center in Lewiston.

  • Winner: Joshua Zhang, Colby Colleege. He was guest soloist with the MSO at our January 2025 concert series.
  • Runner-up: Oren Varess, Piano, USM

 

2021-2022:

Finalists performed before judges and a live audience in May 2022 at the Franco Center in Lewiston.

  • Winner: Mesa Schubeck, piano, USM. She was guest soloist with the MSO at our January 2023 concert series.
  • Runner-up: Brian Liu, Piano, Bowdoin College

 

2019-2020:

Finalists for MSO's second biennial concerto competition were announced in April, 2020, but the pandemic delayed the final auditions and winner's performance. 

  • Winner: Anne McKee, Violin, Bowdoin College. Anne performed the first movement of the Violin Concerto by Johannes Brahms with the MSO in January, 2022
  • Runner-up: Mesa Schubeck, Piano, USM. 

 

Inaugural competition:

Finalists performed before judges and a live audience in May 2018 at the Franco Center in Lewiston.

  • Winner: Nathanial Hackworth, Percussion, UM Orono. Nathan was guest soloist with the Midcoast Symphony Orchestra at our October 2018 concert series
  • Runner-up: Annah Gauthier, Piano,USM



How the competiton started:

The competition honors the memory of Judy Elser (1940-2015), a long-time music teacher who played cello in the MSO for many years, served on the Board, and left a generous bequest to the orchestra when she died. We are grateful for all she gave to the orchestra, and know that she would be thrilled to witness the personal growth and success her gift has made possible for our young entrants and winners.

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