Three of the youngest Symphony of the Hills musicians have been selected for studies in nationally recognized music camps and programs this summer.

Violist Blake Turner, a high school junior from Bulverde, is one of 52 students receiving full scholarships for six weeks at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan. As an Emerson scholar, Turner will study both full orchestral and chamber music works with 2,500 other students, under a nationally known faculty.

Collin Turner, an eighth-grader from Bulverde and younger brother of Blake, received a $2,000 scholarship toward the cost of tuition, room and board for the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina. A violinist, Turner will be among 200 students between ages of 14 and 20 studying and performing orchestral and chamber music. Guest artists appearing with the students this year will include Midori, an internationally acclaimed young violinist.

Eric Bowser, a violinist from Center Point, has been selected to perform in the Cactus Pear Music Festival's Young Artist Music Program. Cactus Pear, based in San Antonio and headed by former San Antonio Symphony Concertmaster Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio, plays chamber music in the Alamo City and throughout the Hill Country, including Boerne, Fredericksburg and Kerrville, each summer. Performers are from leading orchestras and music faculties in this country and abroad, including the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and the Concertgebouw of the Netherlands. These musicians are available for performances in Texas while their home venues are closed for the summer.

Bowser and the Turners are among a half-dozen middle, high school and college-age musicians in the 73-member Symphony of the Hills, based at Schreiner University in Kerrville. Other members include professional musicians from throughout the Hill Country plus the San Antonio and Austin areas, and faculty at Schreiner. The orchestra performs eight times per season for subscribers and single-admission attendees, and when funding is available, plays two children's concerts which are free to students invited from elementary schools in the area.

Other members include violinist Nancy Grimes, violist Mary Hatchette, cellist Audri Vernier and French horn player Tina Johnson of Fredericksburg, and bass trombonist Joseph Allen and tuba player Charles Sander of Harper.

Further information on the orchestra, including program notes posted prior to each concert, is available at www.symphonyofthehills.org or at the Symphony offices at 830-792-7469.
 
CONTACTS: Dr. Jay Dunnahoo, Conductor 830-896-5636
Dr. Jim Adams, President, 830-792-4716
Margie Schwartz, Administrative Asst., 830-792-6498