Monday, July 15, 2024

Henry Auxenfans | GRAND PRIZE | Violin | 11th Edition | ENKOR Int'l Music Competition


Henry Auxenfans is an award-winning, 16-year-old violinist, who has been honored with multiple prizes and solo appearances at regional, national and international levels.

At the age of ten, Henry made his solo orchestra debut at Northwestern University's Pick-Staiger Hall. The same year, Henry had his Carnegie Weill Hall solo performance, and he was invited back to perform at the age of 14 when he won the 1st prize of the New York International Artists Association violin competition. Also, he was the youngest high schooler ever to win the prestigious United States Marine Band Concerto Competition at age 14. 

Most recently, Henry was the winner of the 2023 and 2024 YoungArts in Classical Music, 2024 DuPage Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, 2023 Chicago Symphony Orchestra Crain-Maling Foundation young artist concerto competition finalist, 2023 and 2018 Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, 2022 Lakeview Symphony, 2020 Arthur Grumiaux Int’l Violin Competition- 2nd prize in Belgium, 2023 & 2018 Enkor International, and 2020 & 2022 MTNA national finalist. As a result, he has soloed with many orchestras, including the United States Marine Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, Lakeview Symphony, Dupage Symphony, and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. 

Since the age of 13, he has made solo appearances on WFMT 98.7FM Introductions several times and on NPR’s nationally syndicated program From the Top Episode 419 and Daily Joy. In addition to his solo work, Henry enjoys playing music with his brother Louis and his quartet/ musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on a regular basis; they performed at CSO’ Buntruck hall, Roosevelt University and Gordon Park Arts hall. In addition, Henry has had the privilege of taking lessons and master classes with teachers such as Miriam Fried, Midori Goto, Anne Akikko Meyers, Paul Huang, Rachel Barton Pine, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Peter Zazofsky, Nikki Chooi, Agata Szymczewska, Timothy Chooi and Daniel Stabrawa.

For the past several years, Henry has served as the Concertmaster of Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra with various orchestras, and for the past four seasons, he has served as the Concertmaster of their flagship Symphony Orchestra, including performing extensive CM solos of Strauss’ iconic piece Ein Heldenleben, which garnered him outstanding praise. Currently, he studies with Robert Hanford, the Concertmaster of Lyric Opera of Chicago, and previously studied with Frank Almond, and Stacia Spencer of the Northwestern Strings Academy. His chamber coaches are Larry Neuman of CSO & Hsing-Huei Huang and piano teacher is Laura Fenster.

Giving back to the community is on top of his priorities. You can see him performing at the Veteran hospital, senior homes and local schools. Henry is also the founder of the University of Chicago Laboratory School’s Music Ambassador Club, which provides performing opportunities for high schoolers. He plays on a 1730 Sanctus Seraphin violin generously loaned to him by a private patron through the Becker Family Foundation. 

Wieniawski Variations on an Original Theme, Op 15, by Henryk Wieniawski 12:50



 Sunshine on Tashkurgan by Chen Gang 7:24