Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Spencer-Swain-violin

Full Text:

Swain Says Good-Bye To High School Music Days

(with photo)

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Since the age of four, Spencer Swain has been making beautiful music with his

violin. In the fall, he heads to the Conservatory of Music at SUNY Purchase

College.

Before leaving, however, the 18-year-old soloist put on a fine performance on

June 12 during a violin recital attended by nearly 150 guests. The program

included works from the composers Bach, Bruch, Bartok and Lalo.

The concert master during his senior year at Newtown High School, Spencer is a

three-year member of the all-state orchestra.

A standout musician, the son of Kenneth and Colleen Swain of Arrowhead Lane

has studied at the Newtown Suzuki Talent Education School with Linda Embser

for six years and has been studying traditional violin with Pang An of Avon

for the past seven years. Spencer has also been a member of the Norwalk Youth

Symphony for ten years.

He participated in the Connecticut All-State Festival and the Western Regional

Festival since his sophomore year and was a member of the Honors Orchestra of

the Fairfield County String Festival from seventh through ninth grade.

In 1998, he received honorable mention for the Ruth Carlson Horn Competition

for Young Instrumentalists. Additionally, he has performed for numerous

community and private occasions.