Cellist Cirdan Vonnahme, a Rice University student, won the Grand Prize and gold medal in Strings March 14 at the Young Texas Artists Music Competition Finalists’ Concert and Awards program. (Photo courtesy of Dave Clements)
Some prizes mean more. Rice University cellist Cirdan Vonnahme took home the Young Texas Artist’s 2026 competition Grand Prize at Young Texas Artists’s finalist concert and awards night at Conroe’s Crighton Theatre. It earned him $10,000 and priceless classical music recognition.
At this year’s 41st annual Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue gala, at the Grand Pavilion in front of Crighton Theatre, supporters enjoyed barbecue, dancing, a live auction and a musical salute to Texas. Gala proceeds support the Young Texas Artists Music Competition, where emerging classical musicians compete for $40,000 in cash prizes and performance opportunities…