Warsaw Student Wins Young Music Artists Competition In Ill.
January 4, 2024 at 6:58 p.m.
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association announced Renee Blunier, oboe, as the winner of the Martha McCrory Young Artists Competition.
Open to area 10th- through 12th-graders, the contest was held on Dec. 16 at First Union Congregational Church, Quincy, Ill. Blunier performed movements from Benedetto Marcello’s “Oboe Concerto in C Minor.” She will receive a cash prize and perform as a soloist during QSO’s “Music of John Williams” Concert on Feb. 10, according to a news release from the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association.
Blunier is the daughter of Joe and Karen Blunier and a junior at Warsaw Community High School. She has played oboe for eight years, studying with many teachers, including Alan Kanauss, Paul Chinen, Cody Collins, Lora Launer, Karen Weirather and piano accompanist Joni Wilson. She has been a member of the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra for four years, is a two-year member of the ILMEA All-State Orchestra and is the winner of the 2023 Marilyn Minford McCoid Young Artist Competition with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. She has also participated in the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest with Superior rankings and a Best of the Day award. Renee plans to major in music performance at Western Illinois University to fulfill her dreams of playing oboe forever, stated the release.
In its 69th year, the purpose of the Martha McCrory Young Artists Competition is to give outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as concert soloists, accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
“This recognition of talent and dedication is not only beneficial to the student, it’s a treat for the audience,” said QSOA Executive Director Jane Polett.
Call the symphony office at 217-222-2856 or visit qsoa.org for more details on the Feb. 10 performance and the competition.
The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association announced Renee Blunier, oboe, as the winner of the Martha McCrory Young Artists Competition.
Open to area 10th- through 12th-graders, the contest was held on Dec. 16 at First Union Congregational Church, Quincy, Ill. Blunier performed movements from Benedetto Marcello’s “Oboe Concerto in C Minor.” She will receive a cash prize and perform as a soloist during QSO’s “Music of John Williams” Concert on Feb. 10, according to a news release from the Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association.
Blunier is the daughter of Joe and Karen Blunier and a junior at Warsaw Community High School. She has played oboe for eight years, studying with many teachers, including Alan Kanauss, Paul Chinen, Cody Collins, Lora Launer, Karen Weirather and piano accompanist Joni Wilson. She has been a member of the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra for four years, is a two-year member of the ILMEA All-State Orchestra and is the winner of the 2023 Marilyn Minford McCoid Young Artist Competition with the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. She has also participated in the IGSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest with Superior rankings and a Best of the Day award. Renee plans to major in music performance at Western Illinois University to fulfill her dreams of playing oboe forever, stated the release.
In its 69th year, the purpose of the Martha McCrory Young Artists Competition is to give outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as concert soloists, accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
“This recognition of talent and dedication is not only beneficial to the student, it’s a treat for the audience,” said QSOA Executive Director Jane Polett.
Call the symphony office at 217-222-2856 or visit qsoa.org for more details on the Feb. 10 performance and the competition.