Musicians Claim Top Honors at RPL Young Artist Auditions

Webster CSD is incredibly proud to announce that two of our talented 11th-grade musicians took home prestigious awards at the 2026 Rochester Philharmonic League (RPL) Young Artist Auditions.
 
Competing against 40 of the most accomplished high school students from across the Greater Rochester Area, our Webster CSD students were recognized by a panel of professional performing musicians and educators for their exceptional musical talent.
 
Congratulations to our outstanding student winners:

• Steven L. (Webster Schroeder High School, saxophone)
  • Awards: Winner of the Aldridge-Tinker Scholarship for Instrumentalists ($1,000 college scholarship) and the Helen and George Greer Instrumental Award ($750 cash award).
  • Teacher: Anne Kunkle
• Timothy S. (Webster Thomas High School, piano)
  • Award: Winner of the Mildred and Julius Ness Award for Piano ($750 cash award).
  • Teacher: E-Na Song

Held at the Eastman School of Music on March 15, the annual competition awarded over $8,000 in cash prizes and scholarships to local youth. As winners in their respective categories, both Steven and Timothy will be invited to showcase their talents at an upcoming free, public recital. Webster CSD applauds them for their dedication, hard work, and the incredible representation of our district's music programs on a regional stage!
 
About the Young Artist Auditions & the Rochester Philharmonic League
Founded in 1929 as a volunteer support group for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), the RPL has fully funded and held its annual Young Artist Auditions for high school musicians since 1955. The league’s current activities focus on educating young people about music and the RPO, and on fostering the advancement of musical talent in the community’s youth.
 
About the RPO
Founded in 1922 by George Eastman, the RPO is a not-for-profit, professional orchestra committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music. A cultural leader in Rochester, the RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving nearly 170,000 people through ticketed events, education, and community engagement activities. The RPO offers a wide variety of educational outreach programs, serving more than 25,000 individuals, including over 15,000 youth through its school-specific education programs.