January 15, 2015 VOLU M E 1 0 | I S SUE 33
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J E F F E R S O N C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A competition con brio International Young Artists Competition crowns winner
PERFORMANCES Sherry Kim will be playing in a fundraising reception at the Rockley Music Center, 8555 W. Colfax Ave., in Lakewood on Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. She will play with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 22 at 3 p.m. at the Green Center on the Colorado School of Mines campus at 924 16th Street in Golden. For tickets, call 303-278-4237 or go to www. jeffsymphony.org.
By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Outstanding performances abounded from some of the nation’s most talented young pianists at the 56th annual Jefferson Symphony Orchestra International Young Artists Competition on Saturday, Jan. 10. Twelve finalists were selected to compete for the top three spots in the evening’s recital Saturday including first place for a performance soloist in a fundraising and a chance to play with the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra. “As a musician, this is the high point of the year,” said Steve Dreher, flutist, and committee member for the international young artist competition. “These kids are just amazing.” Sherry Kim, 22, who studies at the Manhattan School of Music, took first place with a spirited performance of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 1, Op. 1 in F minor. “I really wanted the chance to play with an orchestra because it’s really just an amazing piece and this Rachmaninoff concerto is very underplayed,” Kim said. “I think with competitions it’s all an education experience — it’s another performance opportunity even though you are
Sherry Kim, first place finalist in the 56th annual Jefferson Symphony Orchestra International Young Artists Competition, gave an extraordinary performance of Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 1, Op. 1 in F minor on Saturday, Jan. 10. Her accompanist, Oskar Yao, not pictured, is a graduate student of Yoheved Kaplinsky at the Julliard School. Photo by Amy Woodward getting judged but then you really come out with a greater result in the end,” she said. “These competitions are helping us become better performers whether we win or not.” For the final performance of the evening, finalists played all three parts of their
selected concertos which were all works from Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. Originally, 14 applicants were received for the competition in which 12 finalists were selected. Artists applying for the competition were students from across the
U.S. “A lot of the applicants are foreign born but almost all of them are studying in the U.S.,” said Frani Bickart, committee member for the international young artists competition. “It’s a friendly competition — we believe that it fulfills an educational purpose not only for the applicants but also for area students and teachers.” It also opens doors for Jeffco residents to be host families for the young artists with an opportunity to connect to other cultures, said Jeri Lou Maus of Arvada. The Maus’ attended the competition to watch Soyoung Kim, 23, from South Korea. Kim received an honorable mention. “It’s worthwhile, it broadens our understanding of different cultures,” Maus said. “I think opening homes — rather than Con brio continues on Page 12
Time not forgotten Memorializing Vicory in Olde Town By Crystal Anderson
canderson@colorado communitymedia.com
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks to members of the media during a Jan. 8 news conference describing a workforce initiative that his administration says will increase hiring in Colorado. The $3 million program is intended to work with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and the Colorado Dept. of Labor and Employment to assist the state’s long-term unemployed in getting back to work. Photo by AP
Hickenlooper seeks help for unemployed Initiative aims to help those who have been without a job for at least 26 weeks By Ivan Moreno Associated Press
Gov. John Hickenlooper’s administration wants to help people who have been unemployed at least 26 weeks find jobs with a $3 million initiative aimed at connecting them with interested employers. Hickenlooper on Jan. 8 announced the plan, which will utilize a new website to connect Colorado employers with workers. The $3 million comes from the federal government, with the state kicking in $100,000 for the website. The federal funding will go for job or
interview training, counseling and internships for the long-term unemployed. According to the state Department of Labor and Employment, nearly 50,000 people in Colorado have been unemployed for at least 26 weeks, which is defined as longterm unemployment. “It does change the way you go about your day. It changes how you relate with your family, your friends,” Hickenlooper. “It changes what you see in the mirror, some of the old confidence and things you took for granted isn’t the same.” Overall, the job outlook for the state has improved. Colorado’s unemployment rate is 4.1 percent. But state officials say there is a stigma associated with being out of work long term, presenting a challenge for job seekers. In some cases, the jobs that they once held no longer exist or they have been un-
able to keep up with the skills they need in their field, said Ellen Golombek, the executive director of the state labor department. “Many of these long-term unemployed are highly qualified. Their skills just don’t match the jobs that are currently open,” Golombek said. Participating in the initiative is voluntary for employers. But state officials say they’ll have an incentive to hire workers who just need training to brush up on their skills. “We have a pool of employers who are constantly willing to step up, sometimes just because it’s the right thing to do,’’ said Fiona Arnold, the executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. “In this case, it’s because it’s not only the right thing to do, but they’re hurting for employees, too.”
Time was always of the essence for Justin Vicory, who grew up collecting clocks. Today, that passion is emulated by the presence of his urn — a cherrywood clock in his home — reminding his wife, Deedee and others how time is fleeting. Justin, an active member of the Olde Town community, died in September following a lengthy battle with Time continues on Page 12
Justin Vicory, 35, died Sept. 29 after battling melanoma, a type of skin cancer. He is survived by his wife and four children. Courtesy photo