News and Events

Here are some highlights of our alumni’s achievements in 2009:

Of the thousands of people from all over the world who applied for the YouTube Symphony, and the 15 Americans chosen for the violin and viola sections, TWO credo alumni were chosen to participate: Dawnson White and Hanah Stuart.

After winning the Gordan L. Petite competition, Sarah Arnold played a solo with the Cleveland Pops in Severance Hall on April 4th.

Abby Elder won the National Federal of Music Clubs 2009 Northeastern Region Wendell Irish Viola Award.

Ryan Fox performed Walton Viola Concerto with the Cleveland Orchestra in Severance Hall in April.

Pianist Christina Giuca was awarded the Louis and Annette Kaufman Prize for her work as a chamber musician  and the Piano Faculty Prize in Accompanying at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.

Hannah Moses won first place in the junior division of the MTNA competition.

Aaron Mossburg (viola) won the Indianapolis Symphony Concerto Competition.  This marks the second time in the last 3 years that this prestigious competition has been won by a Credo alumnus!

Cellist of the Credo Trio, Steuart Pincombe was awarded an apprenticeship with The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra, Apollo's Fire.

At the MTNA national finals, Michael Taylor won first place in both Senior Piano performance and Senior composition.

In Other News:

Credo is featured in the Strad magazine!

For many years, the Strad magazine has been the most respected publication in the string-playing world.  If you flip through the Strad Magazine's November issue you'll see some familiar faces.  A feature article on Credo called "Keep the Faith," praises the festival for its professionalism and commitment to teamwork: "The high level of communication and professionalism shown by all the student groups, performing after just a few days of rehearsals, came from something other than technical level or coaching; it stemmed from a real commitment, a belief in working together towards a greater goal." It goes on to describe the "decade of noteworthy accomplishments", the faculty who "practices what they preach", the service aspect of the program, the tangible benefits that students reap from "positive reinforcement, constructive criticism and service," and the director "of limitless enthusiasm and purpose." Accompanied by photos of the Severance Hall concert, service projects, and a morning hymn sing service, the article is sure to excite new audiences about the Credo mission.

Credo Trio embarks on second national tour

After a successful inaugural tour from coast to coast, the Trio will make its Chicago debut on November 14th to start off a second national tour. The Trio will be supplementing their performance schedule with master classes and outreach projects, often in conjunction with Credo Days. Their second tour includes stops in Boston, MA, Leakey, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Jackson, MS, and Philadelphia, PA. For more details about the Credo Trio and their schedule, visit their website: www.credotrio.com.

Innovative Parents

Two Credo parents have approached Credo this Fall with a desire to publicize our program.  One parent noted that we did not have national advertising (right now we put money into the financial aid budget instead) and offered to pay for ads in Strings magazine in the coming year! We'll look forward to the results of this generosity. 
Another parent figured out a way to help his son's youth orchestra and Credo at the same time - he is buying a display ad for Credo in his son's Youth Orchestra program. Thanks to both of these parents for their inspiring and innovative ways of helping us out!

Credo Days Expand to Reach More Students Across the Country

In October, Credo headed south to Dallas, Texas for our 1st Annual Credo Day Dallas! Principal players from Dallas Symphony Orchestra joined faculty from Southern Methodist University, North Texas University, University of Texas Arlington, Baylor University (and of course, Oberlin!)  for a fun and stimulating day of music, faith and service.  It was wonderful to meet new, talented students, as well as reconnect with many Credo alums in the Dallas area.  

After leaving Dallas, Credo Days moved up to Chicago where the Credo Trio participated in the 6th annual Credo Day Chicago. We’re now looking forward to our first Credo Day Boston to be held at Gordon College in Wenham, MA.

Other Competition news:

Annie Bender won the Nashville Youth Symphony Concerto Competition and was a National Finalist in the MTNA Solo competition.

Credo violists, once again, did exceedingly well at the 9th Annual Ohio Viola Society competition, taking 3 of 5 prizes.   Allie Lint won first place in the college division, Jordyn Woodhams won second place in the High School division, and Bethany Hargreaves won the Bach Interpretation Prize.

Charlie Reed won the high school division of the Cleveland Cello Society Competition on April 26.

Rebecca Shasberger won the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony concerto contest.

Sarah Shasberger won the Westmont College Orchestra concerto contest.

Joshua Warren placed first at the 2008 Nevada ASTA Solo competition and won the Lower Strings Division at the 2009 Nevada All State Solo competition. 

Many Credo alumni are named to leadership positions in their youth orchestras.  Among them:

Will Bender was selected as the Principal Violist for the Tennessee All-State Orchestra.

Matt Groters serves at Concertmaster of the Protege Philharmonic Youth Orchestra  (Chicago)

Josh Halpern was named Principal Cellist of the Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Daniel Orson was named Principal Viola of Pittsburgh Youth Symphony.

For more information, call 440-774-3658, or email office@credochambermusic.org