Reynolds Clarinetist First in Philadelphia Festival

Senior Aaron Lipsky took first place in the Philadelphia International Music Festival concerto competition.

Featured Photo: Reynolds senior Aaron Lipsky performs a concerto by Carl Maria von Weber. (Photo courtesy of the Lipsky family.)

By: Benjamin Rickert
BCS Communications

A.C. Reynolds High School senior clarinetist Aaron Lipsky took first place in this year's concerto competition at the Philadelphia International Music Festival (PIMF). Lipsky’s performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s Concerto for Clarinet, Op. 26, earned him an $1,800 scholarship and a spot in next year’s PIMF Winner’s Circle concert with The Philadelphia Orchestra.

“This was a pretty atypical concerto competition experience since I wasn’t performing live in front of judges,” explained Lipsky. “I entered the competition as part of the week-long clarinet intensive with Ricardo Morales, principal clarinet with the Philadelphia Orchestra. After my original summer program was cancelled, it was great to be able to bounce back by participating in programs like this.”

According to the competition’s press release, musicians in four age groups submitted video recordings to be judged by a distinguished panel of musicians.

“…We had submissions from Shanghai to Sugar Land, Texas and from Russia to Radford, Virginia. And I say it every year, that the talent we see can never be surpassed – but this year, it really hit a new high note,” wrote PIMF President Sandy Marcucci.

During his years in the Reynolds High band program, Lipsky also placed first in the nationwide Marine Band’s 2020 Concerto Competition and was the winner of the local Hendersonville Symphony Young Artist Competition.

Reynolds Director of Bands Mr. Sean Smith is proud of Lipsky’s continual devotion to musicianship, even during the unusual circumstances surrounding COVID-19.

"I have been amazed at the musical maturity that Aaron displays,” Smith said. “While many things have come to a halt due to the pandemic, Aaron's ability to grow both as a young man and musician have not. A great deal of his summer was devoted to various clarinet clinics, workshops, and competitions. I couldn't be more proud of Aaron and his continued successes."

DISTRICT

Elementary

Intermediate

Middle

High

Other

Buncombe County Schools