Several highly qualified contenders participated in the Annual YOBC Concerto Competition. Two students were selected as soloists. Congratulations to Nicholas Feng and Ricky Ridpath.
Ricky Ridpath (Cello)
Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85
First Movement
by Edward Elgar
Ricky Ridpath is a senior at William Tennent High School and has been playing the cello for ten years. He joined YOBC in 2018 and is currently the cellist for YOBC’s Honors String Quartet. He has studied with cellists David Inloes, Eve Miller, and Noelle Grand.
Ricky participated in BCMEA for the last six years and the PMEA District 11 Orchestra for the last two years. In addition, Ricky has had the opportunity to work with the musicians of the Warminster Symphony orchestra for his school’s pit performance. He is also very involved with the community, volunteering at McDonald Elementary School and its music department. Most recently, he helped teach students, ages 10 – 15 the basics of music composition and recording at Mercer County Community College. After graduation, he plans on going to college and majoring in music education.
Nicholas Feng (Horn)
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat major
K. 447
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Nicolas Feng is a Central Bucks South High School senior who joined YOBC in 2019 and has played in the Concert Band, Philharmonia, and Symphony Orchestra. Introduced to the French Horn in fifth grade, he has studied at Settlement Music School under William Bonnell. Since then, he has played with CB South’s Wind Ensemble, Philadelphia Sinfonia, and PMEA’s All-State Concert Band as a sophomore and junior.
