Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue Gala and Young Texas Artists Music Competition March 12

CONROE, Texas – The 2016 Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala and the Young Texas Artists Music Competition Finalists' Concert and Awards, the beneficiary of the gala, will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016, at the Crighton Theatre, 234 North Main St. in Conroe's downtown historic district.

Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala

After an overwhelming success in chairing the gala last year, Shana and Tim Arthur are returning as co-chairs of the 2016 Texas-themed event.

"We are so pleased that this year's gala will pay tribute to The Honorable Guy Martin and his late brother, The Honorable J. Ross Martin III. The brothers have both been long-time supporters of the arts and outstanding leaders in the community," said Shana Arthur.

"It is a privilege to honor the Martin brothers by designating 2016 contributions given in their names to the Guy Martin and J. Ross Martin III Charter Sponsorship of the new YTA Career Development Program for deserving young Texas artists," added Arthur.

The festivities begin at 5:15 p.m. in a tented pavilion on Main Street, just outside the Crighton Theatre.

"We will have a delicious barbecue dinner with all the trimmings, entertainment by Bill Mock and the Highway 105 Band, and a live auction that will include great gifts, dinners and getaways," said Arthur. "We are grateful to the Conroe Service League for its assistance with this special evening."

Young Texas Artists Music Competition Finalists' Concert and Awards

"We are delighted to have St. John Flynn from Houston Public Media (KUHA Classical 91.7 FM) returning as master of ceremonies at the 2016 YTA Finalists' Concert and Awards," said Susie Pokorski, chair of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition. "The audience appreciates the flair and style that St. John brings to the event." The concert begins in the Crighton Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

With rave reviews from both finalists and concert-goers last year, Jade Simmons returns to interview the finalists onstage in her entertaining and insightful way. A classical concert pianist, best-selling author and powerhouse speaker, Simmons is known as "Classical Music's No. 1 Maverick.”

The Finalists’ Concert and Awards will feature eight finalists from the three-day Young Texas Artists Music Competition, who will perform for an audience of music lovers and an esteemed panel of judges, which includes: Kay Stern of San Francisco Opera Orchestra; William Wellborn of San Francisco Conservatory; Erik Finley of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra; Richard Giangiulio from the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra; and Eric Mitchko with the North Carolina Opera.

The finalists, ages 18-30, will compete for the Gold Medal in each category (Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar) as well as the Grand Prize. A total of $20,000 in cash prizes will be awarded, as will performance opportunities with respected music organizations. Audience members also will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite performer, the winner of which will receive the Audience Choice Award.

Tickets to the gala include admission to both the concert and the after-party celebration, featuring a dessert buffet complete with chocolates and champagne to toast the finalists, immediately following the awards ceremony. The post-concert party will give guests the opportunity to meet and visit with the Young Texas Artists. Attire for the evening is "Jeans to Jewels."

Reservations and Tickets

Attendees of the Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue event also enjoy preferred seating in the Crighton Theatre for the concert, the dinner and the after-party. Individual tickets are $125 per person ($100 per person for MCPAS subscribers, members of the YTA Circle and Conroe Service League) and are available for purchase from the Crighton Theatre Box Office, crightontheatre.org or 936-441-7469.

Tickets for the concert only are $28, $16 for students, and are also available at the Crighton Theatre Box Office.

For more information about the evening, including sponsorship opportunities, contact Susie Pokorski at susiepokorski@gmail.com or 936-756-7017.

About the Young Texas Artists Music Competition

An official music competition of the State of Texas, Young Texas Artists Music Competition was created in 1983 by the Montgomery County Performing Arts Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, to encourage excellence in young musicians and further artistic growth throughout Texas. It is one of the few competitions in the country where musicians compete in their choice of four divisions: Voice; Piano; Strings; and Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Guitar. This Texas competition for Texas artists has helped produce many distinguished professionals who have gone on to join prestigious orchestras, opera companies, universities and music schools around the globe. Young Texas Artists Music Competition is a member of the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance. youngtexasartists.org.

Photo caption:

Susie Pokorski, left, chair of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, with Ruthie Martin, the widow of The Honorable J. Ross Martin III, and The Honorable Guy Martin. The Martin brothers have been selected as the honorees of the 2016 Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala on Saturday, March 12, which benefits the Young Texas Artists Music Competition.