The Young Eight String Octet Announces Winners of 2006 Emerging Composer Competition New York, NY -The Young Eight string octet has announced the winners of its inaugural 2006 Emerging Composer Competition. No First Prize was awarded. Second Prize was awarded to Dr. Robert Tanner for his original composition, 'Conch Shell Memories for Double String Quartet'. A native of Clarksburg, Ohio, Robert Tanner earned his bachelor's degree in music industry from Capital University in 1994. Since 1999, Dr. Tanner has served as assistant professor of music at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he teaches classes in composition, theory, and music history. Dr. Tanner's works have been featured in numerous venues, including the Atlanta University Center Composer's Symposium and concerts by the Luna Nova New Music Ensemble and the Choral Guild of Atlanta. His recent choral work 'Lazarus' appears on the CD 'Behold! Brethren in Unity' by the Morehouse College Glee Club and is published by G.I.A. Publications. In addition, Dr. Tanner remains active as a percussionist, performing regularly at Atlanta's historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and appearing on the CD 'Use Me, Lord' by the internationally acclaimed Ebenezer Church Choir. Third Prize was awarded to Michael Mikulka for his original composition 'African Rhapsody for String Octet'. Mr. Mikulka has been composing music since age 3. To date, he has completed 198 pieces for wind-ensemble, orchestra, solo instruments, and small ensembles in varying styles and lengths. In addition, he has another 180 pieces currently in progress. Michael has had his piece 'Fanfare and Dance' recorded by the Undergraduate Brass Ensemble at the Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he is a music education/French horn major. Michael Mikulka lives in New Jersey. The competition was adjudicated by a distinguished, internationally renowned panel of judges, including composers Steven R. Gerber and Dorothy Rudd Moore, cellist Kermit Moore, violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain, composer/pianist Patrice Rushen and composer Andy Vores. The two winner's pieces will be premiered starting next month and will be performed as part of The Young Eight's Black College Tour, which will visit Morehouse College, Spelman College, North Carolina Central University, Johnson C. Smith University and Winston-Salem State University, among others. This tour will mark the ensemble's 5th Concert Season Anniversary. With violinists Mariana Green-Hill, Monica Davis, Chala Yancy and Quinton I. Morris, violists Tyrone Tidwell and Dawn Michelle Smith and cellists Ryan Murphy and Tahirah Whittington, the ensemble has established itself as one of the next generation's most dynamic and energetic chamber groups, presenting performances in New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Austin. Founded in 2002 at the North Carolina School of the Arts, this critically acclaimed African-American octet is dedicated to exposing various communities to the arts through classical music and has been recognized for their dedication to children, music and education. Learn more about their many program initiatives at http://www.theyoungeight.com. For press inquiries and more information about The Young Eight, please contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or [log in to unmask] Jeffrey James Arts Consulting Website: http://www.jamesarts.com