MSO’s first-ever International Composition Competition winning work to debut at June’s Premier Orchestral Institute

Jackson, Mississippi — Mississippi Symphony Orchestra announces the winner of its first-ever International Composition Competition leading up to the 2023 Premier Orchestral Institute set for June when the piece will debut.

The inaugural winner Leonardo Federico Hoyos, a violin professor at the National University of Colombia’s school of music, composed and offered “Divertimento Negro” for strings orchestra to the competition.

Dr. Andrew Sauerwein, professor of music (composition/theory) at Belhaven University; Dr. Igor Iwanek, composer, and instructor of music theory at Jackson State University; and MSO’s Maestro Crafton Beck, composer and conductor, adjudicated the submissions in April and announced the 2023 winner May 1.

“Divertimento Negro” will be rehearsed and played for the first time – a public, world premiere – by POI participants June 9 at 7:00 pm in the Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex at Millsaps College. The performance is free to the public.

Federico, who was born in Manizales, Colombia, is also a German national. He is a collaborator with world renowned contemporary composers and one of the most outstanding and versatile violinists, interpreters and educators of his generation in Latin America. Since 2013, he has conducted chamber orchestras like the Youth Chamber Philharmonic (a program of the Bogota Philharmonic Orchestra) and the Colombian Chamber Orchestra, which participated in the Cartagena International Music Festival. His passion for music extends past violin and conducting to music composition where his works in different formats explore new sounds and styles.

The POI International Composition Competition provides an opportunity for composers of all nationalities to premiere their compositions and encourages composers to include folk music elements in their compositions to preserve cultural heritage. The competition by design provides a wider music range of music for the institute faculty and advanced students orchestra (Master Camerata), during the Premier Orchestral Institute summer Music Festival.

For more information about the summer music experience at POI or to apply to the experience, visit. www.poimso.com.