Laslo-White wins Sounder music contest

When the camera starts rolling he raises the instrument to his chin. His fingers are curled and poised for action as the pianist plays the introduction for the first movement of the second violin concerto by Friedrich Seitz. When he raises the bow and begins to play, the notes cascade out – playful, resounding and fluid all at the same moment.

“I love the violin, it’s a fun instrument to play and hear,” said Matthew Laslo-White, who was one of three island youths who submitted Youtube videos for Seattle’s KING 98.1 FM music contest last month.

When the Sounder heard Laslo-White, Cierra Lutz and Mackie Blackburn play, we launched our own online contest for locals to pick their favorite musicians. More than 160 people turned out to place their votes.

Lutz, 11 years old, received 41 votes. Blackburn, 18 years old, placed second with 42 votes, and Laslo-White, also 11, came in first with 70 votes.

“Matthew … Wow! Congratulations … you have really worked hard since I saw you this fall,” wrote one voter.

Laslo-White, who started taking violin lessons at the age of five, said he was surprised to win the Sounder’s contest and described the violin-shaped award presented by his music teacher Matthew Olsen as “so cool.” The young violinist was also presented a gift certificate for Teezer’s.

Although the island kids were not chosen for the KING FM contest, Olsen said competitions motivate and encourage students to polish songs. He hopes that in the future KING FM will have a junior and senior division because out of the 20 finalists only two were violinists and they were in the age brackets between 18 and 19.

“But the kids loved the whole process, they have just been beaming,” Olsen said. “The main reason to play music is to share and if you win a contest it’s just a bonus.”

Contact Islands Sounder Reporter Cali Bagby at cbagby@islandssounder.com or 360-376-4500.

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