Final round of the Maria-Paijmans-Kania Music Prize 2007 for Trombone took place at the Musikhochschule Trossingen, Germany on June 2 and 3. 15 young trombonists made it to the finals out of 64 applicants from southern Germany . Jury members were Prof. Hans Stroecker, of the Vienna Philharmonic who serverd as Chair, Prof. Abbie Conant, Musikhochschule Trossingen and Gerhard Wolf of the Musikschule Bad Woerishofen.

The applicants whose ages ranged from 1 to 20 were allowed to choose their own 10 minute program.  “All who made the finals were at a very high level,” commented Hans Stroecker.

The competition distinguished itself from others by being open to all age groups as long as the candidate hadn’t yet completed high school.  Top priorities looked for by the jury were artistic personality, musicality as well as technical ability. Each candidate was evaluated  according to his or her individual age and development.  Interestingly, the younger players showed more excitement and musical expression that did the older competitors.

The 11 year old Norwin Hahn from Mahlberg(Musikschule Lahr) won first prize which was 2.500 Euros ($3,370.)  Second prize, 1.500 Euros ($2020.) went to 15 year old Michael Bigelmaier from  Guenzburg (Musikschule Kolb) and third prize, 750.Euros ($1000.) was awarded to Jonas Geisperger, 13, of  the Anton Bruckner High School in Straubing who performed his own original composition.  A special prize of  250. Euros was awarded to 11 year old Samira Persis Brehm of Stuttgart for her especially expressive performance. In December the prizewinners will perform at a special awards ceremony in Bad Woerishofen.

A special thanks to Gerhard Wolf whose efforts in initiating and

carrying through this competition were exemplary and selfless.