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 6: Rimvydas Savickas, Clarinet
Allison Conlan: Do you come from a musical family?
Rimvydas Savickas: My family members are non-musicians, except my grandfather from mother side who could play accordion and percussion.
AC: At what age did you begin playing your instrument?
RS: I began playing clarinet at age of eight.
AC: Where did you grow up, and how did that community affect who you have become — in general and/or as a musician?
RS: I grew up in a small town in Lithuania. I was lucky to have good teachers in the children’s music school, so I had a great environment to grow as a musician. Music became the biggest part of my life at age of around twelve. The community of the town is small and people in general are very simple and honest, so this most likely contributed to my personality.
AC: Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of music?
RS: Outside of music I love riding my bike. Seeing new places of the world is very exciting too.
AC: What has been your most exciting event in your musical career?
RS: Probably the most exciting event of my musical career was the first time I played solo with an orchestra. I was around 16 and played with the chamber orchestra of National School of Arts named after M.K.Čiurlionis.
AC: Do you have any pre-performance habits/rituals?
RS: I do not really have any pre-performance rituals, except sometimes if it is cold I try to warm up my hands by light exercises and warm water.
AC: Who is the most famous person you have met?
RS: It is hard to think of someone very famous but from classical music world it probably would be David Geringas, a famous cellist for whom I had a chance to play once.
AC: Who are some of your most profound influences?
RS: Some of my most profound influences are Mstislav Rostropovich, Sviatoslav Richter, David Oistrakh and many others, listening their recordings is a very inspirational experience.
AC: Favorite TV shows, sports teams, food and city?
RS: All though I do some sports, I don’t watch it a lot on TV or elsewhere so I do not really have any favorite team or player. Though there are too many foods I like, my favorite food is probably sushi. And favorite TV show is Charlie Rose.
AC: Explain your personality/life in a six word sentence…
RS: My motto would sound something like this: nothing is impossible with great desire.
Don’t miss the semifinals performances on May 30, and the finals concert on June 1!
