Beyond the Horizon
Sun Mar 29, 2026 – 3pm
Fort Dodge Middle School
Joshua Barlage, conducting
2026 Young Artists Competition Winners
Qimeng Michael Li, violin
Carson Menke, marimba
Jonathan Stoker, piano
Youth Honors Recital at 2:25pm.
Join us for a pre-concert recital featuring winners of this year’s Youth Honors Competition.
SULLIVAN Overture to The Pirates of Penzance
SAINT-SAENS Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso
SEJOURNE Marimba Concerto, Mvt II
Rocky REUTER Where Eagles Fly
Jordan JINOSKO Tales from the Aviary
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A Minor, Mvt III
John WILLIAMS Music from Star Wars
Qimeng Michael Li is a junior at Ames High School, currently studying violin with Dr. Jonathan Sturm. His previous teachers include Julie Fox Henson and Pnina Luban. Michael has been a musician in the Iowa All-State Orchestra for the past three years, serving as concertmaster twice during his sophomore and junior years. He is also the concertmaster of the Des Moines Symphony Youth Symphony. Recently, Michael was selected as a winner of the 2026 Central Iowa Symphony Young Artists Competition. As a dedicated chamber musician, Michael has participated in numerous festivals and competitions. In 2025, his string sextet was awarded “Best of Center” at the IHSMA State Solo & Ensemble Festival. He currently performs with the Mesa String Quartet and the Des Moines Symphony Youth Symphony’s Honors String Quartet. Michael is a volunteer musician for Ames High’s Ames Music Initiative club, bringing music to retirement homes across Central Iowa. During the summer, Michael volunteers as a violin/viola tutor for Friends of Ames Strings.
Carson Menke is a Senior at Norwalk High School where he is involved in band, cross country, tennis, student council, and other activities. He has been selected for Iowa All-State ensembles three times including for both the band and orchestra, as well as SCIBA Honor Band, Drake Honors Wind Ensemble, Little Hawkeye Conference Honor Band, and the ISU Honor Percussion Ensemble. Additionally, he has performed as a soloist with the Central Iowa Symphony and Central Iowa Wind Ensemble, as well as working as a percussionist with the Des Moines Choral Society. Carson has studied percussion for eight years, working with Daniel Krumm throughout his four years of high school, and has additionally worked with Robert Meunier of Drake University and Jeff Heltman.
Jonathan Stoker is a sophomore at Iowa State University majoring in Piano Performance. He hopes to pursue a postgraduate degree and become a music professor. In his free time Jonathan enjoys playing French Horn at his church, bouldering, running, reading, and hanging out with friends. Jonathan would like to thank his family for always supporting him, the ISU piano studio for inspiring him, and all his friends for pushing him to be the best he can be.
Our season finale concert features emerging musicians showcasing their exceptional talent as they take center stage as winners of our annual Young Artists Competition. We raise the anchor with Sullivan’s witty overture and soar like birds to a galaxy far, far away with music from Star Wars. From triumphant fanfares to the unforgettable melodies of Luke, Leia and Darth Vader, don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate Iowa’s finest young musicians along with the most beloved melodies from film and stage.
Admission is by season membership or individual concert ticket ($15) available for purchase at the door.
Students & children (with an adult) are always welcomed free of charge at Symphony performances.