March 27 final list
Jacque Knight (703-780-7495)

Eleven Classical Music Students To Compete
For Mary Graham Lasley Music Scholarship

Eleven classical music students will compete on March 30 for newly increased
scholarship prizes offered by the Symphony Orchestra League of Alexandria (SOLA),
“We are pleased with the response and the dedication to study and practice that young
musicians show by entering the contest,” said Sharon Walker, the chair of the 47 th annual
contest.
The competition performances in front of three judges will be open and free to the to
the public at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 30 at the Performing Arts Center on the campus of
Northern Virginnia Community College, 3301 Netherton Drive in Alexandria, VA. Judging will
begin at 9:30 a.m.
Contestants have registered from the University of Virginia, the University of Maryland,
Virginia Tech University in Richmond, Shenandoah University, American University in D. C., and
the Glenn Gould School of Music in Ontario, Canada.
Three cello students, one violinist and seven pianists will perform for 15 minutes before
three judges. Winners will be announced after judging concludes in the early afternoon of
March 30.
The first prize has been increased from $2,500 to $3,000, . The second-place contestant
will win $2,500. The third-place prize has been increased from $1,500 to $2,000; Each
contestant may not be older than 25 on the day of the contest.
The classical music scholarships are financed through a trust fund established by the
family of the late Mary Graham Lasley, who was supporter of the arts and music in the
Alexandria community and a founder of the Alexandria Symphony Guild, the predecessor of
SOLA.
Area music teachers, their students and families are encouraged to attend the March 30
competition performances, which are free and open to the public at the Northern Virginia
Community College Performing Arts Center, 3301 Netherton Dr. in Alexandria. Free parking is
available.