GFS violinist wins first place in competition

Posted 12/9/15

Daniel Cho Germantown Friends School ninth-grade violinist Daniel Cho won first place in the Junior Strings Division of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition. He …

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GFS violinist wins first place in competition

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Daniel Cho Daniel Cho

Germantown Friends School ninth-grade violinist Daniel Cho won first place in the Junior Strings Division of the Pennsylvania Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Competition. He will advance to the MTNA Eastern Division Competitions in January to compete against student winners across the East Coast.

Cho started playing violin when he was 5 years old, took up piano at 6, and started composing music at the ripe young age of 3. His mother, a pianist and organist, helped him with his early compositions.

In 2012, he was awarded first place in the national MTNA Composition Competition, and his winning piece was premiered at the national conference in New York City. He also performed in Carnegie Weil Recital Hall in both 2010 and 2014 as the winner of other piano and violin competitions.

“Daniel is dynamic as a violinist, pianist and composer,” said Head of the GFS Music Department Taia Harlos. “He is knowledgeable about a wide range of repertoire … He will often excerpt related music, play it in different keys or different styles. His playing is emotive, rich and very technical – that is a rare mix.”

Cho enjoys capturing a range of sentiments and “emotional conflict” in his compositions. “I like the feelings of music and how it can express emotion,” he says.

He performs with the GFS orchestra and attends Juilliard pre-college in New York City on Saturdays. He plans to continue with a career in music – “either violin, piano or composing, or I could do all three if I’m focused.”

Cho’s mother Seung marvels at her son’s concentration and his ability to balance the many demands on his time.

“I am very happy to see him pursuing his musical goals despite the many other tasks, including academics and sports, throughout his high school years,” she says proudly.

Harlos has no doubt that Cho’s career will continue to grow: “His mind is continually revolving around music –its structure, its development, its connection to non-musical events, its performance – and this gives him an energy and vibrancy that will sustain him well into the music conservatory life, and beyond.”

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