(NEWARK, NJ) -- Violinist Timothy Shi has won the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s 2022 Henry Lewis Concerto Competition. Shi will join the New Jersey Symphony to perform the first movement of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216, at the Symphony’s outdoor summer concerts, June 24–July 2 in venues across the state.
Shi is a violinist in the New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra’s Academy Orchestra—the most advanced of the program’s ensembles—and a first-year student at Millburn High School. He started learning the violin in Ohio at age 5 under Callista Koh’s instruction and has studied with UT Dallas professor Phillip Lewis and New York Philharmonic violinist Duoming Ba. Passionate about soloing, Shi has soloed at the Bruno Walter Auditorium at Lincoln Center, and he has been concertmaster of Sinfonia and Philharmonia at the New Jersey Youth Symphony.
Judged by New Jersey Symphony musicians, the youth orchestra’s annual concerto competition is named for former Symphony Music Director Henry Lewis, who became the first Black music director of a major American orchestra when he assumed leadership of the New Jersey Symphony (1968–76).
Shi says: “The Henry Lewis Concerto Competition is named after Henry Lewis, a Black American conductor who broke racial barriers in the musical world. Winning this competition is a confirmation of the effort I have put into playing the violin and has motivated me to continue my journey in music. I have attended the Youth Orchestra for three years and have worked with its conductors, coaches and peers in the orchestra, all of whom are talented, passionate and caring. The time I have spent with them is very meaningful to me; I am honored to represent our youth orchestra program. The New Jersey Symphony is the most prestigious professional symphony orchestra in New Jersey and one of the best symphony orchestras in the nation. As a high-school freshman performing with such a renowned orchestra for the first time, I am excited to glean insights and share experiences that will prove essential to my growth as a musician.”
Shi loves to learn romantic solo works; among these, he particularly likes Sibelius’ and Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concertos, Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy and Saint-Saëns’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. He also swims competitively, having placed 12th in the 400 Individual Medley and 20th nationally in the 1000-yard freestyle.
The New Jersey Symphony’s free outdoor concerts take place on June 24 at 7:30pm at Branch Brook Park in Newark, June 28 at 8:00pm at Ocean County College in Toms River and July 2 at 7:30pm at Metuchen Town Plaza in Metuchen. The Symphony also performs at the Giralda Music and Arts Festival in Madison on June 26 at 6:00pm. José Luis Domínguez—frequent Symphony conductor and New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra artistic director—conducts.
All New Jersey Symphony performances follow safety measures in partnership with the venues and based on the guidance provided by the CDC and the State of New Jersey.
For more information on free summer concerts and tickets for the Giralda Music and Arts Festival, visit njsymphony.org/summer.
Summer Concerts
Friday, June 24 at 7:30pm | Branch Brook Park in Newark (Free Concert)
Sunday, June 26 at 6:00pm | Giralda Farms in Madison
Tuesday, June 28 at 8:00pm | Ocean County College in Toms River (Free Concert)
Saturday, July 2 at 7:30pm | Metuchen Town Plaza in Metuchen (Free Concert)
José Luis Domínguez conductor
Timothy Shi violin
New Jersey Symphony
The June 24 concert is sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the County of Essex—part of the 2022 Essex County Free Summer Music Series. Morris Arts presents the Giralda Music and Arts Festival. The June 28 concert is sponsored by Ocean County College Foundation. The July 2 concert is sponsored by Hackensack Meridian Health; in partnership with the Borough of Metuchen.
M&T Bank is the 2021–22 New Jersey Symphony Youth Orchestra season sponsor.
The New Jersey Symphony will redefine what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. Through adventurous performances, hands-on educational experiences and robust community programming, we encourage everyone to enjoy the power and creativity of orchestral music in all its forms. Across genres and venues, for audiences of all walks of life, we strive to bring music that’s meaningful to you, to you.
As we look toward celebrating our centennial, we are renewing our deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be new; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization—all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.
Our expansive educational offerings—including our youth orchestra, masterclasses and virtual learning opportunities—will build the next generation of listeners and musicians and help students grow, both musically and personally. And we will continue to seek new ways to connect with all New Jerseyans, through programs that resonate with a variety of cultural and musical backgrounds, as well as digital innovations that make our orchestra accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
