Topitzes Family Gift Endows Fall Youth Concerto Competition
by Casey Oelkers, Director of Development
This past fall, MSO received a wonderful gift of $100,000 from Judith and Nick Topitzes to endow the Fall Youth Concerto Competition, the MSO’s competition for talented young instrumentalists in grades 3-8. In appreciation of Judy Nick’s generous gift, the MSO has named this competition in their family’s honor: The Topitzes Family Fall Youth Concerto Competition.
“Nick and I knew we wanted to make a special gift in celebration of the MSO’s 100th Anniversary and also in honor of John DeMain’s final season as MSO Music Director,” says donor Judy Topitzes. “My father was a music educator and music education has always been very important to me. In talking with the Symphony’s development director about how our gift could provide lasting support for the Symphony, we decided to create an endowment for the Fall Youth Concerto Competition.”
Nick and Judy have been loyal symphony audience members and donors for over 30 years. Judy is a longtime volunteer with the MSO League, having served as President and chair of numerous committees that have helped raise money for the Symphony’s education programs. Judy has also served on the Symphony’s board of directors and education committee, and is a former member of the MSO Chorus. At the 2023 MSOL Symphony Gala, Judy was presented with the John DeMain Award for Outstanding Commitment to Music.
In the Fall Youth Concerto Competition, talented young Wisconsin musicians in 3rd through 8th grade compete for the chance to perform with the MSO as a soloist on the stage of Overture Hall. Competitors must perform (from memory!) a movement of a concerto, with piano accompaniment, before a panel of judges. The winner performs for an audience of their peers at the MSO’s Fall Youth Concerts. The winner also receives a scholarship to attend the UW-Madison Summer Music Clinic and may be offered future performance opportunities. Hayley Stevens, a seventh grader from Gillespie Middle School in Madison, was the 2025 winner and performed at the Fall Youth Concerts in November.
“Students are motivated and inspired to reach their full potential through the competition experience, especially knowing they could win the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the MSO at such a young age,” says Lisa Kjentvet, MSO’s Director of Education and Community Engagement. “The Topitzes’ gift ensures that the MSO will continue to offer this competition for young musicians for years to come. We are very grateful for their support!”
To learn about other program and chair endowment naming opportunities, visit madisonsymphony.org/endowment or contact Casey Oelkers, Director of Development, at (608) 260-8680 x228.