Young musicians will shine in Tuerck concert

The Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra has a few surprises in store for you at its George N. Tuerck Memorial Concert on Saturday.

“If you think you know what this orchestra sounds like, you need to come to the concert. You may be in for a surprise,” said music director Dr. Leon Burke III. “These kids have been working really, really hard. This is the best the Youth Orchestra has sounded in many, many years.”

And that’s just the beginning.

“The concert is mostly classical melodies,” Burke said. “Toward the end, we do a holiday theme. Oh, and there’s a surprise encore that I’m not at liberty to discuss. But everyone will enjoy it.”

Along the way, the audience will be treated to three of the four winners of the 17th annual George N. Tuerck Concerto Competition, who will be featured soloists.

Cara Rhodes, 14, of O’Fallon will perform on clarinet; and Hannah Almos, 13, of Glen Carbon, will play the French horn. Both have played with the Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Olivia Long, 17, of St. Louis will perform on piano.

The fourth winner, Julia Riew, 16, of St. Louis, will perform on violin at the Youth Orchestra’s Feb. 27 concert.

The Tuerck competition and concert are named for George N. Tuerck, a Belleville violinist and teacher who conducted the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra from 1954 to 1961 and founded the youth orchestra. This year’s concert, conducted by Burke, is dedicated to the memory of Tuerck’s daughter, Elma Hoff, who died earlier this year.

“The soloists are easy to work with, and they have worked very hard,” Burke said. “That comes across in strong performances.”

Cara Rhodes, daughter of Michael and Barbara Rhodes, is a freshman at O’Fallon Township High School. She has participated in the Youth Orchestra for three years. Recently, she was selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association Honor Band. Other accomplishments include first chair in the IGSMA and first superior ranking at IMEA Solo and Ensemble Festivals. In addition to her studies on clarinet and piano, she is a member of the French Club, and enjoys writing, drawing and traveling.

“Cara will play a clarinet piece with her regular accompanist,” Burke said. “It’s a French conservatory piece, something that might have been used as a final exam. It’s a nice salon piece.”

Hannah Almos is the daughter of Rodney and Kathy Almos. She is a former Youth Orchestra member and participates in band, jazz band and St. Cecilia Catholic Church musical ensembles. She was selected for the Madison County Band Festival and IMEA Band Festivals. She has earned first superior distinctions in the IHSA Solo & Ensemble Contest, both as a solo horn player and as a jazz band member. Hannah also is active in Girl Scouts.

“Hannah is now playing with the SIUE orchestra,” Burke said. “I try to push them on to bigger things.” Burke will accompany her French horn piece.

Olivia Long, daughter of Dr. Fanxin Long and Bing Zhao, is a senior at the John Burroughs School. She is co-editor-in-chief of the school’s newspaper. An accomplished pianist, she has won the Belleville Philharmonic Stars of Tomorrow Competition and the gold award in Golden Key United States Music Festival. She founded the Music for Joy Service Club to bring music to middle school students. She is a ballet dancer with St. Louis Ballet and enjoys reading books and writing short stories.

“Olivia Long is the big winner. Her piano piece is so difficult the orchestra cannot play it. ... we don’t have all the instruments,” Burke said. “She is the piece de resistance. Very brilliant. It’s a piece I wouldn’t want to follow.”

Julia Riew, daughter of Dr. Dan and Mary Riew, is a junior at John Burroughs School. She plays in the school’s senior orchestra, and is concert master. Her numerous awards include finalist of the 2015 American Songwriting Awards competition, recipient of a Monticello College Foundation scholarship; and second place in the national youth composer’s competition through Community Music School at Webster University. She plays on her school’s varsity tennis team, and volunteers on the Ready Readers Junior Board.

Because of a conflict, she will not be able to play with the Youth Orchestra until its Feb. 27 concert.

“She will play a Mendelssohn violin concerto, and the full orchestra will play along,” Burke said. “It will be fun, so people should come to that concert, too.”

This story was originally published December 2, 2015 at 2:37 AM with the headline "Young musicians will shine in Tuerck concert."