Prizes Equaling $15,000 to be Awarded in Competition for Young String Soloists

Chapel Hill, N.C., USA (SANEPR.com) March 4, 2008 -- The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle will host the first Competition for Young String Soloists April 4-6 continuing its history of creating performance and educational opportunities for talented young musicians. The competition is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC), and will be held in the Carswell Concert Hall at Meredith College in Raleigh.

“The idea behind this competition is to attract the best young string players from around the country, and give the local talent an opportunity to meet them, compete with them and, when possible, learn from them,” says Lorenzo Muti, artistic director and conductor of The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle. “We want the event to be both a celebration of hard work and a stimulus for local talent to reach even higher achievements. We are grateful to Blue Cross and Blue Shield for sponsoring the competition and understanding the importance of such a project.”

First prize in the competition will consist of a $10,000 award and an appearance with the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle during the 2008-2009 season. The second and third place winners will receive $2,500 and $1,500 awards respectively. In addition, the Thomas S. Keenen III North Carolina prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the top performer who resides in North Carolina.The award is in honor of Thomas Keenen III, who dedicated his life to education and the arts in his beloved state.

“We believe that the performing arts are an integral part of any thriving community,” says Kathy Higgins, vice president for community relations of BCBSNC. “We’re proud to support The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle as they host their inaugural competition.”

From nearly 40 entrants, 16 artists will be selected to perform for the judges in the semi-final round on April 5. Five finalists will be asked to perform in the final round at 1 p.m. on April 6. The final round of performances at Meredith College will be open and free of charge to the general public. For more information, visit chamberorchestraofthetriangle.org.

About the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle:
Since 1982, The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle has been received with genuine respect and enthusiasm by music critics and the community. Today, it is considered one of the finest professional ensembles in North Carolina and the Southeast. With its elite corps of musicians, the orchestra continues to present a well-chosen and unusual repertoire that delights audiences and evokes high praise from critics. That standard of excellence has become the hallmark of the orchestra and has distinguished each succeeding season. The 2007-2008 series marks the 25th concert season. For more information, visit www.chamberorchestraofthetriangle.org or call (919) 942-3179.

About BCBSNC:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is a leader in delivering innovative health care products, services and information to nearly 3.6 million members, including approximately 825,000 served on behalf of other Blue Plans. For 75 years, the company has served its customers by offering health insurance at a competitive price and has served the people of North Carolina through support of community organizations, programs and events that promote good health. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Access BCBSNC online at www.bcbsnc.com.
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