Inspired violinist wins Holland Symphony young artists competition
Grand Haven teen Jack Sherman wins Holland Symphony competition, highlighting how the long-running program supports advanced young musicians.
Years after watching a master violinist perform on stage, Jack Sherman’s decision to save money for his first instrument and commit to lessons paid off with a first-place finish at the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s young artists competition.
Sherman, a homeschooled freshman from Grand Haven, says his musical journey began as a child after attending symphony concerts with his father.
“When I was 6 or 7 or 8, my dad would take me to the Colorado Symphony a lot,” Sherman says. “One time I saw Pinchas Zukerman play the Brahms Violin Concerto, and as soon as I saw that, I knew I wanted to learn the violin.”
Sherman says he saved money to buy his first violin online, began working with teacher Eugenia Alikhanova, founder and first violinist of the Moscow String Quartet, and practiced regularly. That effort culminated Jan. 10, when he won the annual competition after performing Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, I. Allegro molto appassionato.
Sherman was one of nine competitors. The other participants were:
- Mason Sybesma, violin – Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 (Adagio) by Max Bruch
- Natalie Im, violin – Violin Concerto No. 9 in A minor, Op. 104 (Allegro maestoso) by Charles de Bériot
- Tanner Reynolds, bassoon – Sonata in G Major (Allegro moderato; Allegro scherzando) by Camille Saint-Saëns
- Abram VandenBerg, cello – Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85 (Finale) by Edward Elgar
- Annika Johnson, horn – Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 11 (Allegro) by Richard Strauss
- Beret Anna Hilsman, violin – The Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto by He Zhanhao and Chen Gang
- Tyler Michielson, trumpet – Trumpet Concerto in E-flat Major (Allegro) by Joseph Haydn
Tanner Reynolds took second, and Tyler Michelson placed third.
Offering opportunity, challenge
The Holland Symphony’s young artists competition began in 1995 to expand performance opportunities for advanced student musicians. It provides an opportunity to tackle repertoire beyond what is typically available in high school ensembles or youth symphonies.
The competition honors Norbert Mueller, a musician remembered for his dedication to encouraging young performers. Organizers say Mueller took a personal interest in the development of student musicians and believed opportunities to perform challenging repertoire were essential to their growth. Following his death in 1999, the Norbert Mueller Memorial Competition Fund was created to honor his legacy by supporting young artists.
This year, the competition moved to Grand Valley State University, giving participants access to Sherman van Solkema Recital Hall in the Thomas J. and Marcia J. Haas Center for Performing Arts.
HSO musicians and judges Michelle Bessemer and Gary June praised the students for their choices of challenge pieces and performing skillfully in front of an audience of around 50.
“It was an honor listening to you play,” Bessemer said.
June says the competition gives students a chance to perform in front of an audience.
“It’s really cool to see this kind of competition with an audience so that the students are actually performing,” June says. “It’s not just a competition. It’s actually a recital as well.”
Year and a half of effort
Sherman says he chose the Mendelssohn concerto because it suited both his playing style and temperament. Preparing the work required long-term commitment, including repeated technical practice and careful attention to detail.
“I’ve been working on this piece on and off for about a year and a half,” Sherman says. “I practiced the technical passages over and over again to try to get the perfect musical touch to the lyrical passages.”
Guided by Bast, Sherman says he eventually memorized the concerto and gained confidence through the process.
“With all those hours, I was able to memorize the piece,” he says. “I’ve really enjoyed playing this.”
Organizers say the competition offers a solution for young musicians seeking advanced performance experience by combining mentorship, preparation, and public performance.
“Thank you to the Holland Symphony Orchestra for putting on this competition,” Sherman says.
Photos by EJ Photography
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