The Quincy Symphony Orchestra Association has announced the winners of its 67th Annual Martha McCrory Young Artists Competition: Preston Trinh, violin, and Ashlan Tullock, xylophone. The competition, open to area 10th through 12th graders, was held Dec. 18 at First Union Congregational Church, Quincy. The winning musicians will receive a cash prize and perform as soloists during QSO’s “Courage & Spirit” Concert on Feb. 13.
Preston Trinh is a sophomore at Quincy Senior High School and the son of Linh Nguyen and Anthony Trinh. Preston loves all genres of music from classical to jazz. Music has been a tremendous enjoyment for him since early childhood. He began his piano and violin studies at age five. His current violin teachers are Stephanie Javaux and Analisa Bean. For the last six summers, Preston has studied at the American Suzuki Institute violin camp at Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He enjoys performing orchestral and chamber music and is a member of the Quincy Area Youth Orchestra, Quincy High School Orchestra, and River Strings. He has been selected to perform in the All-State Musician Orchestra in Peoria. A member of the QHS tennis varsity team and Beta Club, Preston has many interests including aerospace, engineering, medicine, and music. He believes music is a gift that he will continue to pursue as he lets God direct his future.
Ashlan Tullock is a junior at Camp Point Central High School and is the daughter of Rich and Danell Tullock. She has studied piano with Sara Lung for seven years and has taken drum lessons with Kelsey Horner for the last year and a half. Ashlan is a member of the CHS Concert Band, Marching Band, Choir, Drama Club, and Academic Talent Search. She is a Co-Captain on her cheer team. She has been involved in many solos and ensembles at various festivals and competitions, including the Virtual District Festival of 2020. With the help of Dr. Jeremy Brunk (Millikin University), Bill Machold (Quincy University), Dan Fry (piano accompanist), and her band director, Riley McDorman, Ashlan is making her debut on her first xylophone solo and orchestral piece. Ashlan is grateful and excited for this new experience and hopes to do more musical activities in the future.
The purpose of the Young Artists competition is to give outstanding high school musicians the opportunity to perform as concert soloists, accompanied by a symphony orchestra. Such a performance can be a springboard for a young person to choose a lifelong commitment to the arts. The annual QSO Young Artists Concert, now in its 67th year, rewards excellence in musicianship and enriches not just the performer, but also the audience and orchestra members. Call the symphony office 217-222-2856 or visit www.qsoa.org for more details on the Feb. 13 performance and the competition.
