The John Eaton Memorial Competition is a prestigious event in the world of contemporary classical music named for our long-time beloved member, who passed away in 2015. Each year, we look for new contemporary works to present alongside our members’ works at our concerts. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the talented composers who submitted their entries to this year’s contest.

Following a closely contested adjudication process, we are thrilled to announce that the 17th John Eaton Memorial Competition winner is Insects for String Quartet, composed by Sofia Jen Ouyang. The runner-up was chosen as Ginkyo-ya: Pendula (in memoriam Krzysztof Penderecki) for string quartet by composer Jakub Polaczyk.

Program:

Judith Lynn Stillman — Phoenix from the Ashes
— soprano and piano

Anthony Izzo — Around the Bend
— alto flute

Robert S. Cohen — Strange and Wondrous Adventures in Space
— string quartet

Timothy L. Miller — Shadows
— flute, viola, harp

Jakub Polaczyk —Ginkyo-ya: Pendula (in memoriam Krzysztof Penderecki)
(Runner-up of the 2024 John Eaton Memorial Competition)
— string quartet

Natalia Medvedovskaya —“Adventures of Nils” Suite
— piano

David Mecionis — Waiting in Six Lines
— soprano and flute

Sofia Jen Ouyang — Insects
(Winner of the 2024 John Eaton Memorial Competition)
— string quartet