AMES, Iowa -- From inspiring performances by some of Iowa's best student musicians, to scores written by classical music's greatest prodigies, Central Iowa Symphony will celebrate young artists at their February 25 concert in Ames.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Ames City Auditorium, located at 5th and Clark Avenue in downtown Ames.

Headlining the program will be concerto performances by two Ames students, Annie Jeong on violin, and Sarah Shin on flute. These accomplished musicians were selected from a field of Iowa's top music students who competed at Central Iowa Symphony's annual Young Artists event in January. Jeong will perform the first movement of Wieniawski's Concerto No. 2 in D Minor, and Shin will perform the third movement of Ibert's Flute Concerto.

"Audiences really enjoy the Young Artists performances," said Central Iowa Symphony director and music conductor James Hannon. "I am always amazed at the level of professionalism, technical prowess, and mature musicianship shown by these young students."

Hannon said he wanted to carry through with the Young Artist theme by featuring the work of two very well-known music prodigies: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) and Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). The orchestra will perform the overture to one of Mozart's most famous operas, "Don Giovanni," and Mendelssohn's "Symphony No. 8 in D," written when he was 13 years old.

"There are many parallels between Mozart and Mendelssohn," Hannon said. "Both were considered wunderkind, performing and composing music when they were very young. Mendelssohn's parents even hired an orchestra for him to conduct."

Hannon said it also is appropriate to perform Mozart's overture as a way to celebrate the musician's 250th birthday, which was January 27.

Concert Conversations, an informal discussion with Maestro Hannon about the program, will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Ames City Council Chambers.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (ages 65 years or older) and a special reduced price of $1 for students of all ages. Tickets will be available at the door or before the concert at Big Table Books, Rieman Music and Keeper's Music of Ames. Credit card orders available at Ames City Auditorium office, (515) 239-5360.

More about our 2006 Young Artists