Named to honor the memory of Miss Ima Hogg, a co-founder of the Houston Symphony, the Ima Hogg Competition is open to young musicians between the ages of 13 and 30 who play standard orchestral instruments or piano. Through the support of the Houston Symphony League since 1976, the Competition provides performance opportunities for aspiring musicians ages 13-30.
The 2013 semifinal round will take place on Thursday, May 30 at Stude Concert Hall at the Shepherd School of Music of Rice University. Ten semifinalists will perform two concertos with piano accompaniment. At the conclusion of the semifinals, four finalists will be selected to perform one concerto with the Houston Symphony at the Finals Concert on Saturday, June 1. The first place winner will then perform with the Houston Symphony at the Houston Chronicle Concert on July 13, 2013 as part of the 2013 Day of Music; the second place winner will perform with the Houston Symphony at Miller Theatre on June 29, 2013.
Our Education and Community Engagement Coordinator, Allison Conlan, had the chance to post some questions to our semifinalists. Their insightful answers can be found on this very blog!
Learn a little more about contestant number 4: Mary Sanghyun Yong, Viola
Allison Conlan: Do you come from a musical family?
Mary Sanghyun Yong: I come from a family of musicians. My mother is a professional violinist, my dad is an avid amateur cellist (he plays in a string quartet, orchestra, and occasionally performs as a soloist with an orchestra) who got me to know all of the Bach cello suites by listening to him practicing them growing up even before I touched the viola. My uncle plays violin at the church, as wells as my grandmother who plays piano. Often when I am home, my mom, dad, and I get together to read string trios.
AC: At what age did you begin playing your instrument?
MSY: I have played violin from age six to twelve and switched over to viola at age twelve by a recommendation from my mother. After trying out for a bit, I realized that I enjoy playing viola much more than playing violin.
AC: Where did you grow up, and how did that community affect who you have become — in general and/or as a musician?
MSY: I have a mixed background of South Korea, Indiana, Philadelphia, and New York. I think living in different places led me to be more of an open minded person as those places challenged me to accept and understand different cultures.
AC: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
MSY: My old, funny hobby is to watch Korean cartoons online. More recent interests and hobbies include yoga, working out, and learning Chinese.
AC: What has been your most exciting event in your musical career?
MSY: The most exciting musical experiences have been around solo playing for me. One of the top experiences was performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Another that takes a special place in my heart is when I performed at a student recital series at Perlman Music Program in NY Shelter Island and when a friend came up to me in tears telling me how much she was touched by the performance.
AC: Do you have any pre-performance habits/rituals?
MSY: I have none in particular. I don’t drink coffee that day if I think the performance will get me nervous. Sometimes I have some banana before but not always. I think what is much more important than the ritual is just a good consistent practice for the performance that will earn you the confidence.
AC: Who are some of your most profound influences?
MSY: All of my viola teachers from the past have been a great source of inspiration for me. Great performances – not necessarily classical music or even music – always inspire me a great deal. However, I would say my most profound influences came from my parents whom I have looked up to my whole life.
AC: Who is the most famous person you have met?
MSY: I may find out in the next ten years.
AC: Favorite TV shows, sports teams, food and city?
MSY: My favorite type of food is Korean food but I also enjoy many different types of food such as BBQ, Vietnamese Pho, tortilla soup with chicken and rice, creamy pasta with seafood, a good rib eye steak, etc. I am getting hungry just thinking about it…yum.
AC: Explain your personality/life in a six word sentence (for reference, the sentence that inspired this question was “Infant shoes, on sale, never worn” — and the implications that could come from this statement).
MSY: Calm but curious, loves to laugh.
Don’t miss the semifinals performances on May 30, and the finals concert on June 1!
