Pianist Jade Simmons Returns for Young Texas Artists Music Competition

CONROE, TEXAS -- Susie Pokorski, chair of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, is pleased to announce that renowned classical concert pianist, author, lecturer and arts entrepreneur Jade Simmons will join the competition’s Finalists' Concert and Awards at the historic Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main in downtown Conroe. Simmons, known as "Classical Music's #1 Maverick," will conduct on-stage interviews with the finalists at the concert, set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, preceded by the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala.

"We are thrilled to have Jade join us again for the Finalists' Concert and Awards," said Pokorski. "She was very popular with the audience at the last competition, and delighted all of us with her entertaining conversations with the finalists."

Simmons said that competitions are often a large part of a young artist's early career. "What sets YTA apart is that it is a celebration of young talent – not a place for musicians to battle it out,” she said. “YTA and the Conroe community rally behind and raise up these aspiring artists.

“What YTA offers is an invaluable bridge to young artists: a chance for them to turn those solitary hours in a practice room into dynamic moments of interaction between themselves and their audience,” said Simmons. “The YTA stage becomes a place where each artist finds out what it is about their artistry that moves audiences. That's priceless information for a budding career.”

Hosted by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, YTA showcases talented musicians and vocalists, ages 18-32, who are Texas residents or students enrolled in a Texas college, university or music school. These young musicians compete in one of four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar. Professional performance opportunities and $20,000 in monetary prizes will be awarded.

The esteemed panel of judges for the 31st annual YTA competition includes representatives from Da Camera Chamber Music and Jazz, Lyric Opera of Chicago, the University of Michigan, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and The Juilliard School.

Preliminary rounds for the competition will take place Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 12, 13 and 14, and are free and open to the public. The top two finalists from each division will perform at the Finalists’ Concert and Awards at 7:30 p.m. on March 14th at the historic Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe. A Grand Prize and Audience Choice award will be presented, as will Gold and Silver medals in each division.

The fourth annual Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala will be held the evening of the Finalists' Concert and Awards just outside the Crighton Theatre under a Texas-sized tent at 5:30 p.m. Gala tickets are $125 and include preferred seating at the concert. Concert-only tickets are $28. To purchase tickets, go to crightontheatre.org website link provided.

More information on the Young Texas Artists Music Competition is available at the youngtexasartists.org website link provided.

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, make a donation or volunteer, contact YTA chair Susie Pokorski at 936-756-7017 or susiepokorski@gmail.com

Young Texas Artists Music Competition was created in 1983 by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society to encourage excellence in young musicians and further artistic growth throughout Texas. Past YTA winners have gone on to perform in prestigious orchestras and opera companies around the world, and many others have become respected academicians in highly-ranked universities and music schools. youngtexasartists.org