Armstrong reaches semifinals in KDFC Star Search

Sonoma’s own Nigel Armstrong has been selected as one of ten semifinalists in the KDFC Star Search.
KDFC listeners are invited to listen and/or view the contest semifinalists online and vote at kdfc.com. The KDFC Grand Finals Event is Monday, May 11, in a public concert in the San Francisco Conservatory Main Concert Hall, where the finalists compete for the top honors of the KDFC Classical Star of 2009.
“Nigel Armstrong was one of those videos I knew would be a semi-finalist in about 5 notes,” said KDFC Program Director Bill Lueth. “He’s still a teenager, but has the confident tone of a front man.”
Previously, Armstrong has won “Young Artist of the Year” awards from the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra, the American Philharmonic/Sonoma County and, most recently, the Downey Symphony Orchestra, where he played the Prokofiev Violin Concerto #1 in March. Armstrong also won the concerto competition for high school students, sponsored by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2007, and has soloed with the Boston Pops. Last summer Armstrong was the guest performing artist with the Bozeman, Mont. Symphony Orchestra. Armstrong attends the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles and will be attending the Aspen Music Festival and School this summer.
On Friday, May 29 at 7 p.m., Armstrong will perform in concert at Andrews Hall. Sponsored by the Sonoma Classical Music Society, he will perform Franz Schubert, Rondo in B minor, op. 70; Johannes Brahms, Sonata No. 3 in D minor, op. 108; Eugene Ysaye, Solo Sonata No. 5 in G major; Antonin Dvorak, Slavonic Dances, op. 72 (selections); Astor Piazzolla, Le Grand Tango; and Pablo de Sarasate, Zigeunerweisen.