Jason Xu Wins Grand Prize of the 85th OSM Competition

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Montreal, November 9, 2024 – The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is delighted to announce the Grand Prize winner of the 2024 OSM Competition: Jason Xu wins the Barbara Bronfman Prize ($20,000) named in memory of Barbara Bronfman, a committed music lover and cherished donor of the OSM.

In addition, this year’s winner is offered a featuring in an artist portrait and broadcast of his semifinal recital on Toute une musique hosted by Marie-Christine Trottier for ICI MUSIQUE. The OSM is also proud to introduce two prizes: the Michèle Paré Prize, a residency at Orford Musique during which the laureate will develop a community engagement project, as well as the Ann Birks Career Grant to help support the launch of the finalists’ careers by offering coaching and training programs.

This 85th edition dedicated to woodwinds and brass was held from November 4 through 9, bringing together some of Canada’s most accomplished young artists from the rising generation of musical performers. After the immense success of the last two final rounds, in which the finalists performed with the OSM, the Competition was back in force with this edition dedicated to wind instruments. From Venezuela’s El Sistema programme, OSM music director Rafael Payare was also a judge at this final round. For Payare: ‘Without young, up-and-coming performers, there could be no future for music, an art that makes an invaluable contribution to social harmony and is one of the miracles of life’.

The finalists eagerly awaited Competition results in an awards ceremony held at the Maison symphonique and hosted by ICI Musique personality Marie-Christine Trottier. The 2nd Prize was awarded to Malena Lorenson while Bingchen He received 3rd Prize, and Charles Watson garnered 4th Prize.

About the Prizewinner

Jason Xu, 19 years old, is a Chinese-Canadian classical saxophonist based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He studies at the prestigious School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (SMTD) at the University of Michigan under Professor Timothy McAllister.

He has performed with the Earl Haig Symphony Orchestra and has been named first chair in the Earl Haig ensembles. He is also a member of the SMTD’s wind ensemble. As a soloist, Xu has given recitals at renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Eastman School of Music, the University of Michigan, and the Steinway Piano Gallery in Toronto.

He regularly participates in various competitions, winning first prize at the American Protégé International Woodwinds and Brass Competition in 2021, first prize at the IMFC’s Solo Concerto Competition in 2021, and second place at the Music International Grand Prix Competition in 2022.

Dedicated to his craft, Jason Xu has studied with internationally acclaimed saxophonists, including Timothy McAllister, Nobuya Sugawa, Vincent David, Otis Murphy, and Chien-Kwan Lin.

OSM Competition Acknowledgements

Thanks to the Competition’s generous sponsors and partners, awards totaling over $140,000 were given at this edition in the form of prizes, bursaries, traineeships, and concert engagements. This substantial support will help the winners to launch their careers while maintaining a privileged connection with the Orchestra. The full list of winners of the many prizes generously offered by the OSM Competition’s valued partners is available here.

The OSM Competition is powered by Air Canada, in collaboration with ICI MUSIQUE and Stingray.

THE OSM COMPETITION BENEFITS FROM THE SUPPORT OF SEVERAL DONORS AND PARTNERS

Thanks to a generous legacy gift by Barbara Bronfman, generations of talented young musicians can embark on a career in music and perform with the OSM for the first time. We are exceedingly grateful to Ms. Bronfman and her family.

We also wish to thank:

The OSM Volunteer Association, OSM Musicians Association, Flora Ann Birks Foundation, CANIMEX Inc., Dixi Lambert, Fondation Ariane Riou et Réal Plourde, Marjorie and Gerald Bronfman Foundation, Fonds Paul-A. Fournier, Jean Paré, Louise-Marie Dion and Réjean Breton, Marina Gusti, Succession Lambert-Fortier-Gagnon Estate, Juliana Pleines, Paul Merkelo Fund, Fonds Les Amis de l’Art, Domaine Forget International Music and Dance Academy, Centre de musique canadienne au Québec, Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, Schulich School of Music of McGill University, OAcademy Music Conservatory, and Orford Musique. Contributions from the Orchestra’s public-sector partners are also essential to its operations. The OSM gratefully acknowledges the Government of Quebec, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Conseil des arts de Montréal.