Fort Couch flutist places first in music competition

Jan. 23, 2024

For the third year in a row, Arjun Kairi, an Upper St. Clair seventh grader, placed first in the Crescendo International Music Competition. A flutist, Arjun performed on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Arjun, age 12, first began his flute studies at The Pittsburgh Music Academy at age 3. He currently participates in seventh grade band at Fort Couch Middle School, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Schuster.

The Crescendo International Music Competition is open to students ages 4-24. Competition is open to junior, intermediate and advanced levels for all instrumentalists, vocalists, duets and chamber orchestra.

The first round of the competition includes a live or video recording evaluation. Successful candidates are invited to perform in the second round at recitals in New York City. Students have the opportunity to win monetary prizes ranging from $150 for third place to $1,000 for the grand prize. Decisions on monetary awards are based on accumulated audition score, composition complexity and contestant’s artistic maturity.

Crescendo International Music Competition is a youth music competition held annually since 2007. Its mission is to inspire individuals to pursue their passion for music through involvement in competitions, master classes and other educational programs.