One of classical music’s rising stars.

One of classical music’s rising stars, Friendswood-reared violist Brian Bires, was voted first place winner of the 30th Annual Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition at the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival (TMF.) As recipient of the top prize, Bires, a May 2019 Masters of Viola Performance graduate of the University of Houston (UH) Moores School of Music, will perform as a soloist with the TMF Orchestra at the Moores Opera House Saturday, June 22 at 7:30 p.m., under the baton of Maestro Carl St. Clair. The concerto competition also carries an international invitation to appear as a soloist with the Akademisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany at the esteemed Gewandhaus.

This marks the first University of Houston graduate to win this competition since trombonist Brian Logan took the top prize in 2002.  

---

Violist Brian Bires with accompanist Shannon Hesse on stage before competing on the UH Moores School of Music Dudley Recital Hall stage

“We’re thrilled for Brian’s win with his formidable interpretation of Cecil Forsyth: Viola Concert in G minor.  All five musicians in the final round – viola, two violins, bassoon and clarinet -- were of exceptional talent, so much so that the judges’ tallies resulted in a tie for second place,” noted Alan Austin, TMF General and Artistic Director.  

Bires will play the Forsyth piece backed by the 93-member Texas Music Festival Orchestra.  

the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Young Artist Competition Five Finalists (L-R) were: Violinist Ayrton Pisco, first place winner violist Brian Bires, bassoonist Mark Lauer, and clarinetist Evan Schnurr and violinist Yue Yang, who shared second place honors. Yang received the most votes for the Audience Favorite Award at the 2019 Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival;

Violist Brian Bires with accompanist Shannon Hesse on stage before competing on the UH Moores School of Music Dudley Recital Hall stage