EdNews - Spring 2008
A Publication of the College of Education at Florida State University
Allen Wins International String Competition
Matthew Allen, a sophomore at Florida State University Schools, was recently named the 2008 Gold Medal winner of the Stulberg International String Competition in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was one of 12 semifinalists, out of an original field of 89, who was invited to compete at Western Michigan University in March. As the 2008 winner, he received $5000 and will return to Michigan to perform with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
Allen began studying cello at the age of four. In 2002, at age ten, he became principal cellist of the Big Bend Community Orchestra. He retained this position until 2005 when at age 13, he was named the youngest member in the history of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. In addition to serving as principal cellist of the Florida All-State Orchestra from 2005-2007, Allen has twice received the Gold Cup Award from the National Federation of Music Clubs and won the 2007 grand prize in the Cobb Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition.
The Stulberg Competition was established in 1975 in memory of Julius Stulberg, conductor of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra. Since its inception, the competition has hosted hundreds of students and strives to promote excellence in stringed instrument performance in musicians under the age of 20.
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