Michael was pleased to present three $1000 scholarships today, culminating the second annual Reinecke Youth Chamber Music Competition and Fellowship Program, which he founded through the Chamber Music Society of Maryland.

The scholarships were awarded at a concert in Lutherville, Maryland where the three fellows, Connor Chaikowsky (Violin), Mairead Flory (Cello), and Maiya Yen (Piano), performed chamber music they had prepared over the Winter with their mentors, Michael Sheppard (Peabody Institute), Kaya Bryla-Weiss (New York Ballet), and Dariusz Skoraczewski (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra).

The Reinecke Youth Chamber Music Competition and Fellowship Programs is unique to the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, and provides an unparalleled opportunity for talented young musicians to study chamber music alongside professional musicians, and to give a formal concert on one of Maryland's most esteemed chamber music series.

Michael worked this week with the Peabody Symphony Orchestra in preparation for their recording of several compositions by Aaron Kernis on the Naxos Label, as well as a performance with Leonard Slatkin and Marina Piccinini. The Peabody Symphony Orchestra was prepared to play Aaron Kernis' Flute Concerto and Air, both with Marina Piccinini, and also The Enigma Variations by Edward Elgar, and the Russian Easter Overture by Rimsky-Korsakoff.

The concert was performed on the eve of Easter to a sold-out Friedberg Hall at the Peabody Institute.

The Peabody Symphony spent four recording sessions laying down Aaron Kernis' Flute Concerto, which was a fantastic synthesis of music reminiscent of both Bartok and Jethro Tull. The PSO also recorded the "Air," which has been performed with many other solo instruments including the cello.

With Aaron Kernis, Marina Piccinini, and Leonard Slatkin

Mike conducts the Peabody Symphony Orchestra

Mike with Leonard Slatkin