Four of Wisconsin's most talented young musicians will perform in concert with the Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) as Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) offer broadcast coverage of Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte. Full live coverage of the concert will air on WPT 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 29. It will also be available via livestream on wpt.org and broadcast live on WPR.

WPT will broadcast an encore presentation 2 p.m. Sunday, April 2.

The Final Forte features violinist Julian Rhee of Brookfield, harpist Naomi Sutherland of Viroqua, pianist Michael Wu of Sun Prairie and violinist Yaoyao Chen of Menasha in performance with Maestro John DeMain and the MSO as they vie for top honors in the 2017 Bolz Young Artist Competition. WPR's Lori Skelton and Jim Fleming will co-host the event.

Each finalist will perform a selection from a concerto for a panel of judges, who will award a range of scholarships to the competitors.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the free live performance in Overture Hall at the Overture Center in Madison. Call 608-257-3734 or visit madisonsymphony.org online to reserve a seat. Audience members must be seated by 6:45 p.m.

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is a partnership among the Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television.

Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is part of WPT's multiyear Young Performers Initiative, a statewide effort to raise the visibility of the arts, celebrate the creative achievements of Wisconsin's young people and support the arts in education.

Major funding for Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is provided by Diane Ballweg, Julie and Larry Midtbo, Fred and Mary Mohs, Stephen Morton, Joe and Mary Ellyn Sensenbrenner, and The Boldt Company. With additional funds from A. Paul Jones Charitable Trust, James Dahlberg and Elsebet Lund, W. Jerome Frautschi, Ann and Roger Hauck, Elaine and Nicholas Mischler, Kato Perlman, Estate of Norene A. Smith, Sentry Insurance Company, Paul Guthrie (in memory of Ella Guthrie), Judith and Nick Topitzes, and Friends of Wisconsin Public Television.

WPT is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin–Extension.
Wisconsin Public Television is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.

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