Lewisville Lake Symphony

Young Artists' Competition honors LISD Trustee Vernell Gregg

Vernell Gregg (right) celebrates with violinists Nicolette Kocsardy and Jason Wu, previous winners of the Young Artists’ Competition, newly named in her honor.

Lewisville Lake Symphony proudly announces that its annual Young Artists’ Competition has been named in honor of Vernell Gregg, a LISD School Board Trustee and former language-arts teacher for the Lewisville Independent School system.  Ms. Gregg, a long-time volunteer for the Symphony, founded the prestigious music competition in 1999 to highlight young classical talent in Texas and from surrounding areas.

“Vernell has a passion for finding ways to inspire young people,” says Nancy Wright, chair of the Lewisville Lake Symphony Association.  “Vernell recognized the tremendous opportunity to motivate young musicians, worked diligently to establish the competition, and in so doing, created a larger role for the Symphony in our community.”

Now in its tenth year, the Young Artists’ Competition gives talented musicians in grades six to 12 an opportunity to perform with a professional orchestra, in addition to winning a cash prize.  The grand prizewinner of this year’s Vernell Gregg Young Artists’ Competition will perform with the Lewisville Lake Symphony during its “Stars of the Future” concert on February 8, 2008, 7:30p.m. at Lakeland Baptist Church in Lewisville.

“The caliber of contest winners over the years underscores the valuable impact that music can have in the education of all young people,” says Judi Johnson, who currently manages the Young Artists’ Competition.  “When you play an instrument, the experience strengthens all of your skills, especially math.  Our continuing efforts to showcase young local talent in classical music exist because of Vernell’s extraordinary vision.”

Prize money for the Young Artists’ Competition is provided by QORE Business Solutions, Inc.  The competition is also supported by Texas-New Mexico Power Company.

Now in its 24^th season, the all-professional Lewisville Lake Symphony has become one of the most respected regional orchestras in Texas.  The orchestra also sponsors the International Chamber Series in cooperation with UNT’s School of Music.