The Mariposa Symphony Orchestra and Mariposa County Arts Council are proud to announce the two young winners of the 2015 Young Master Composers Celebration: 13-year-old Matt Kroeker and 15-year-old Sean Cox.  Both are violinists in the Mariposa Symphony Orchestra and Matt Kroeker is enjoying his second win in the contest.

Kroeker's piece is titled "Symphony #3" and Cox's work is called "Freedom's Flame."  Both pieces are approximately five minutes in length and were written following guidelines created by MSO Founder/Conductor Les Marsden.  The two student compositions have been orchestrated by Marsden and will receive their world-premiere performances at the MSO's Friday, July 3th "Independence Day Spectacular!" Concert at the Amphitheatre at Mariposa County Park.  Each winning young composer will receive $50, a certificate, sound recording of the orchestrated compositions and a full orchestral score of this year's pieces.

The 7:00 p.m. outdoor concert will also feature one of the American west's most iconic symphonic portrayals: Aaron Copland's "Rodeo" - which features the movements "Buckaroo Holiday," "Corral Nocturne," "Saturday Night Waltz" and one of the most famous pieces of music ever written: "Hoedown," perhaps best recognized from the "Beef: it's what's for dinner!" commercials.  The concert will be truly spectacular with suites of music from the films "Star Wars" and "The Empire Strikes Back," composed by John Williams, as well as much-loved patriotic favorites including John Philip Sousa's "Stars & Stripes Forever" the late Dr. Phil Smith's "Armed Forces Salute."

Please note that this year's concert is on a Friday evening (July 3rd) so as not to conflict with other events on July 4th. 

Refreshments (including hot dogs) will be sold at a concessions stand operated by the Arts Council at the Amphitheatre.  Tickets for the MSO’s Friday, July 3rd “Independence Day Spectacular!” Concert are only $6 for adults/$4 for students, available now at the Mariposa County Arts Council (209) 966-3155.  Tickets are also available at the Mariposa County Visitors Center across from Miners Roadhouse; call (209) 966-7081 for hours.  E-mail MSO@sti.net and ask to be added to the low-volume, always-private “Friends of the MSO” e-mail notification list.