Westmoreland student musicians to perform at annual Young Artists Competition recital

Franklin Regional student musicians had a strong showing in the annual Young Artists Competition, hosted by the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Seton Hill University.

Panther students swept the competition’s Level I instrumental category, and earned nine spots on the winners’ list.

Winners will take part in a recital Sunday at the Seton Hill Performing Arts Center in Greensburg.

Level I (through ninth grade)

• Instrumental: First place, Ilana Aranovich, Franklin Regional freshman, violin; second place, Elsa Bandli, Franklin Regional freshman, flute; third place, Kaitlyn Lippman, Franklin Regional freshman, flute; honorable mention, Ava Zannikos, Franklin Regional eighth grader, flute.

• Piano: First place, Peyton Kunkle, Greensburg Salem eighth grader; second place, Wayne Lee, Franklin Regional fifth grader; third place, Levi Pecorari, home-schooled sixth grader; honorable mentions, Julian Parker, Franklin Regionalsixth grader and Barani Oo, Franklin Regional third grader.

Level II (Grades 10-12)

• Instrumental: First place, A.J. Schmidt, Franklin Regional sophomore, piccolo; second place, Rhys Vander Kelen, home-schooled sophomore, flute; third place, Juliana Matteo, Penn-Trafford senior, harp; honorable mentions, Nia Hanington, Franklin Regional sophomore, flute and Martin Meyer, PA Leadership Charter School junior, violin.

• Piano: First place, William Duvall, PA Cyber Charter School sophomore.

The recital will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the performing arts center, 100 Harrison Ave. in Greensburg. It is open to the public and there is no cost to attend.

The Young Artist Competition dates back to the 1980s. In 2002, its format was changed from a concerto competition to a solo competition. Students who reside or take private music lessons in Westmoreland or Fayette counties are eligible.