First photo above: Symphony Koss, center, performs with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in April. Photo by Paul Quackenbush used courtesy of the VSO. Second photo: Symphony Koss, second from left, performs the national anthem with fellow members of the Portland Youth Philharmonic string quartet. Photo courtesy of Fangchi Koss.
Symphony Koss, a sophomore at Columbia River High School, is an accomplished young violinist who already has built an impressive resume of awards and high-profile performances.
Koss and three other musicians from the Portland Youth Philharmonic string quartet in March performed the national anthem at a Portland Trail Blazers game.
After earlier being named a gold medalist in the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Young Artists Competition, Koss in late April performed “Carmen Fantasy” as a soloist with the orchestra.
Later that month, she became the only student from Vancouver Public Schools to place in the top three at the Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest, held by the Washington Music Educators’ Association. Koss placed third in the violin competition.
Next, she will reprise her performance of “Carmen Fantasy” in collaboration with the Willamette Falls Symphony. She earned this opportunity by winning the symphony’s Young Artists Competition.
This summer, Symphony will attend the Kennedy Center’s National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute on a full-ride scholarship. Approximately 60 students between the ages of 15 and 20, from all over the world, are selected to participate in the institute.
Her accomplishments aren’t strictly musical, however. In addition to a slate of performances this year, Koss spent a week as a page for Sen. Ann Rivers of the 18th Legislative District.