The 22-year-old New England Conservatory student receives $8,000 and a performance with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra

Alexander_Hersch

Alexander Hersh has won the 20th Schadt String Competition, this year dedicated to cello. The 22-year-old, currently a student at the New England Conservatory in Boston, receives $8,000 and a solo performance with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra in November 2016.

Both second and third prizes went to fellow New England Conservatory students – Sujin Lee, aged 24, who won $2,500, and Noemie Raymond-Friset, aged 24, who received $1,500.

This year’s jury included Juilliard School and University of Michigan professor Richard Aaron; Natasha Brofsky, professor of cello at the New England Conservatory; David Moulton, principal cellist of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra; and Diane Wittry, Allentown Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor.

The Schadt String Competition is held annually in association with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, alternating between violin, cello and guitar.