Arthur D. Montzka Young Artist Competition

JANUARY 2023

Arthur D. Montzka Young Artist Competition
Northern Illinois

Congratulations to violinist Neal Eisfeldt, awarded Runner-Up in the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra's Arthur D. Montzka Young Artists Concerto Competition.   

Arthur Dale Montzka was the conductor of the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra for more than 20 years. During that time, the group expanded from a handful of amateur music-makers, practicing in church basements and high-school band rooms, to a full orchestra of more than 60 players performing a series of concerts for the public each year.  

Mr. Montzka especially enjoyed working with young people, and he encouraged his private- and public-school students to join the orchestra. Knowing that there were many exceptionally talented young players in the area, he established the Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. Since its inception in 1985-86, with the first concerto-competition winner announced in the 1986-87 season, more than 150 musicians have auditioned to play with the orchestra and four dozen have been selected for that opportunity. Many of the concerto winners have gone on to prestigious schools of music and successful artistic careers.

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