Rachel Stornant Junior Artist Competition
The Rachel Stornant Junior Artist Competition (RSJAC) is held in memory of our beloved friend and colleague, Rachel, who left us too far too soon. In her final year with us, Rachel taught a young student free of charge in order to assist her in upgrading to a new flute. We believe Rachel’s final wish would have been to help promote the careers of young, budding talent in the Southeast Michigan flute community.
This competition is part of the SEMFA Festival. Please plan to attend the entire day.
Eligibility: The Rachel Stornant Junior Artist Competition is open to any Michigan resident who has not yet completed the 8th grade as of the date of the final round of the competition (October 15, 2022). The RSJAC Applicants must be active SEMFA members and submit an additional application fee of $30.00. Student Membership dues of $15.00 are non-refundable. The membership year runs from January 1, to December 31. Previous first prize winners are not eligible.
Awards: 1st Place will receive a $300.00 scholarship, 2nd Place will receive a $200.00 scholarship, and 3rd Place will receive a $100.00 scholarship. Three Honorable Mentions will also be awarded.
2022 Application Requirements
• Students must submit an application (Google form) https://forms.gle/44LG87Rt5veziaQw8
• Pay $30 non-refundable application fee, which includes festival registration (along with $15 student SEMFA membership dues if you are not currently a SEMFA member) by check or PayPal. Application Payments Accepted by PayPal: payments@semfa.org Checks should be made payable to SEMFA and mailed to: Melanie Boose, 600 Akram, Oxford, MI 48371
• Students must submit an essay of no more than 300 words about their musical goals and how they will use the scholarship money (must be typed and submitted on the Google form)
• Students must submit a brief (100 – 120 word) biography written in the third person (must be typed and submitted on Google form)
• No Recording is required
• Include a repertoire list of your selections (must be typed and submitted on Google form)
• Students must submit 1 letter of teacher recommendation via email
• Students must submit a repertoire list of one selection from “First Solos for the Flute Player” transcribed and arranged by Louis Moyse (Schirmer) and one piece of the applicant's choice to be performed at the final round of the competition. The total length of both works should not exceed 10 minutes. Individual movements from larger works are permitted. Cuts will be permitted.
Audition Repertoire
• If selected for the competition, the live round should include the following:
• one selection from “First Solos for the Flute Player” transcribed and arranged by Louis Moyse (Schirmer)
• one piece of the applicant's choice
Other Information
• Works including piano must be performed with accompaniment.
• SEMFA would like to recommend all applicants use Doug Scott as an accompanist for this competition. dougscott79@gmail.com
• Memorization is encouraged but not required.
• Acceptance results will be emailed on October 10, 2022
Note: Please DO NOT send incomplete applications. If any element of this application is incomplete, the application will not be processed.
Please contact James Brinkmann with any questions: Link jprbrinkmann@gmail.com – “RSJAC” in subject line.
RSJAC Application Fee
$30.00 Application Fee for the Rachel Stornant Junior Artist Competition.
Donate to the RSJAC Fund
Support SEMFA and the RSJAC with your tax-deductible donation. Donations of all sizes are always greatly appreciated.
Rachel Stornant
Rachel Stornant was a widely sought after and successful orchestral flutist and piccoloist. In her final year Rachel received tenure as Piccoloist of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. She also performed with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra after returning to the United States after serving as Principal Flute with the Orquestra Do Norte in Europe. Prior to that post, Rachel was Co-Principal flute with the Monterrey Symphony Orchestra in Mexico for two years and Principal flute with the Orlando Philharmonic. Rachel also performed with the Detroit, Baltimore, Delaware, Knoxville, and Oregon Symphony Orchestras. A Native of Detroit, Rachel attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music (2001) at Johns Hopkins University, Wayne State University, and California State University. She performed with the Jerusalem International Symphony in Israel for the 2000-2001 festival season. As a teenager Rachel Stornant was awarded the William D. Dahling Full Tuition Scholarship to attend the Institute of Music and Dance at the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit during which time she performed for three years with the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra. As the first prize winner in many competitions, among the Detroit Symphony Civic Orchestra and Wayne State Symphony Concerto Competitions, the Vivace Music Young Artists competition, and the Mu Phi Epsilon competition Ms. Stornant had the opportunity to perform concerti by Nielsen, Ibert, C.P.E. Bach, Mercadante, Kabalevsky, and Mozart in addition to other works by Boehm, Chaminade, and Griffes.