2025 Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte, Live Concert and Competition took place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Overture Hall
Congratulations to our 2025 winner of The Final Forte, Indre Raghavan! All four competitors gave outstanding performances. The final results are:
First Place: Indre Raghavan
Second Place: Vivian Van de Sype Cucu
Honorable Mentions: Lucy Wu and Atticus Coen
Broadcast live from Overture Hall at the Overture Center for the Arts in Madison, the concert featured the magnificent Madison Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director John DeMain. The four finalists were chosen from eight competitors at the 2025 Bolz Young Artist Competition Semi-Finals for the opportunity to compete in The Final Forte.
Encore Broadcasts
Congratulations to our 2025 Finalists!
Indre Raghavan, violin
Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47, 1st movement
Indre Raghavan Bio
Indre Raghavan is a junior at Middleton High School. She has been playing violin since the age of seven and currently studies with Professor Eugene Purdue. Raghavan is the winner of the 2025 Middleton Community Orchestra Young Artist Competition and was a semifinalist in the 2024 Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Stars of Tomorrow Competition.
Vivian Van de Sype Cucu, viola
Walton Viola Concerto, 1st movement
Vivian Van de Sype Cucu Bio
Vivian Van de Sype Cucu is a senior at University School of Milwaukee. She studies viola with Davis King and is a scholarship fellow at the Music Institute of Chicago’s Academy. As a member of the Academy’s Elysian Quartet, Van de Sype Cucu won the gold medal, BIPOC Prize and Audience Prize in the 2024 Saint Paul String Quartet Competition.
Lucy Wu, cello
Dvořák Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, 3rd movement
Lucy Wu Bio
Lucy Wu is a junior at Whitefish Bay High School. She began studying cello at the age of seven and is currently a student of Dr. Stefan Kartman. In 2024, Wu received first prize in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Stars of Tomorrow Competition, the Enkor International Music Competition and the DePaul National Concerto Competition.
Atticus Coen, piano
Gershwin Piano Concerto in F, 1st movement
Atticus Coen Bio
Atticus Coen is a senior at Sun Prairie East High School. He began playing piano at the age of five and is currently in his eighth year of study with Lana Robotewskyj. Coen was a senior recital winner at the Madison Area Music Educators Honors Festival and a recipient of the UW Summer Music Clinic Tuition Waiver Award.
Watch Soloist Interviews
Photos & Audience Reviews
“We enjoy listening to classical music but also like getting out of the house now and then. Our family has grown up singing and playing musical instruments so it’s always nice to listen to young artists sharing their talent with the community. What a treat to be able to play with the esteemed Madison Symphony Orchestra.” – MSO Patron
“High-class production with extremely talented musicians, including the young artists and orchestra. Few opportunities to experience this quality of music without PBS providing it. Thank you PBS.” —Larry from Suamico (PBS Survey)
“This was obviously not the first rodeo for the Final Forte – the entire program was exquisitely planned and executed. The 4 soloists were so well prepared and the MSO and John Demain had their backs for their performances.” – MSO Patron
“It is interesting to hear about the musicians families and backgrounds, what draws each to different instruments. Their styles and teachers are also an interesting part of the story. … What a great opportunity to enjoy and cheer for the talented musicians who will play us into the future!” —Julie from Pulaski (PBS Survey)
“The gift that MSO is to our community, playing with 4 young artists. It was amazing to watch these performances.” – MSO Patron
“It is so great to watch and listen to such gifted high school students along with the accompaniment of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. I really appreciate this broadcast. It a perfect example of the wonderful programming on Wisconsin Public Television.” —Gary from Monroe (PBS Survey)
“These young artists are so talented and am in awe of their stage presence and musical ability. Yes, it takes years of dedication and hard work to become this accomplished and this is a fantastic way to showcase their skill. Each of the four musicians were brilliant and deserve this recognition.” – MSO Patron
“Such talents shared with us, the viewers, is just amazing and marvelous. … Thank you for providing this for viewers in Wisconsin.” —Sue from Janesville (PBS Survey)
“Amazed how long they have been playing and their dedication to their craft. With the interviews and Bio’s, got to see their individual and unique personalities. Also, the amount of courage it takes to stand on stage and play an instrument 99.9% of the average people couldn’t play is amazing.” – MSO Patron
“A great example for young musicians, showing what could be accomplished with desire, hard work, and support.” —Robin from Oshkosh (PBS Survey)
“The incredible talent of 4 high school students. You could have fooled me if you’d told me they were professional artists.” – MSO Patron
“It was totally fabulous! Such talent among the four [performers] and the Madison Symphony Orchestra! … Keep it coming!” —Barb from Middleton (PBS Survey)
“Their poise, confidence, exceptional talent. How involved with they are with other young people, teaching, volunteering.” – MSO Patron
“Exceptional show—showcasing amazing local talent in WI. … [I appreciated] the outstanding talent and stage presence of the young musicians. My daughter is involved in Suzuki music at UWSP and we so enjoy watching the Final Forte.” —Suzette from Stevens Point (PBS Survey)
“I have recommended and brought numerous friends with me over the years, and everyone has always enjoyed the performance and wanted to come back. My companion last night was a friend/coworker who went for the first time, and she said she’s hooked and will definitely be back.” – MSO Patron
About The Final Forte
Wisconsin Young Artists Compete: The Final Forte is a free concert that is broadcast live on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. This competition has captured an enormous following and numerous honors, including an Emmy nomination, First Place in the “Special Interest” category from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in 2007, and fifth most-watched program in the February 2007 Nielsen ratings. The 2008 broadcasts reached more than 60,000 viewers and listeners in the Madison market alone and the 2009 broadcasts reached an estimated 200,000 statewide.
The Bolz Young Artist Competition is a highly-regarded statewide competition in which Wisconsin’s young musicians compete for scholarships and the opportunity to perform as soloists with the MSO. The competition is open to Wisconsin residents in grades 9-12. Previous winners may not compete in consecutive years on the same instrument. Contracted musicians of the MSO are ineligible.
The four semi-finalists compete in The Final Forte, which will be broadcast on PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio. Each winner receives a $2000 scholarship and the Marian Bolz Prize for Distinguished Musical Achievement or the Steenbock Youth Music Award. Up to two Honorable Mention scholarships of $1000 may also be awarded.
Discover more about our past winners and presentations of The Final Forte!
2023
Read the Recap Story
2022
Read the Recap Story
2020
Press Release
The Final Forte and Spring Young People’s Concert
2019
Meet our Final Forte Finalists
Congratulations to The Final Forte 2019 Winners