The Fort Dodge Area Symphony has had a very successful Young Artists program since 1966. The main contributing factor to the great response of students to the program is that all who win the auditions perform with the orchestra. For most other symphonies, the only student who actually performs with the orchestra is the one who finishes first. As of 2011, there have been 169 Young Artist soloists with the Fort Dodge Area Symphony. Students who are interested in auditioning for the Young Artists' concert can get more information by clicking on the buttons at the bottom of this page. Three young artists were selected by auditions held on Saturday, January 21, 2012. They were: Roberto Gemignani, Piano A 7th grader from Gilbert, Iowa Performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major K488, 1st movement Kathryn Tarko, Cello A junior at Drake University Performing Shostakovitch’s Cello Concerto No. 1, 1st movement Esme Wong Su Leei, Piano A sophomore at Luther College Performing Mendelssohn’s Concerto No. 1 in G minor, 1st movement Abby Rethwisch, Soprano A senior at the University of Iowa Performing Mozart’s Marten aller Acten from Die Entfuhrung avs den Serial Rachel Leeper, Bassoon A junior at the University of Iowa Performing Mozart’s Concerto in Bb for Bassoon & Orchestra, 1st movement Receiving Honorable Mention were: Felisha Jones, Flute A senior at the University of Northern Iowa Performing Reinecke’s Ballade, 1st movement Alice Glenn Hinshaw, Clarinet A freshman at Iowa State University Performing Debussy’s Premiere Rhapsodie The young artist winners will receive music scholarships established by a program set up by the Eva Paterson Estate.