Ridgefield High School cellist, Henry Idone, has placed second in the American Protege: Musical Talent Competition. Competing with the sophomore were high school musicians of various instruments from around the globe. Idone entered by performing the first movement of the Lalo Cello Concerto, and is scheduled to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of a winners’ recital in November. Although this was a remarkable victory for him, it was certainly not his first.
In 2019, Idone entered the international Prima Volta Music Competition with the first movement of the Elgar Cello Concerto. He placed third among competitors aged 13 to 14, and performed at a winners’ recital at NV Factory, New Jersey. Idone returned to victory last year, placing second in the same competition and age bracket. He was originally set to debut at Carnegie Hall for the winners’ recital, but was forced to cancel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Henry Idone’s successful journey as a student musician began when he was in fifth grade. “I started because I found myself always loving the sound of the cello,” he said. “I really enjoyed the complexity and pitch range that the instrument has.” Today, Idone learns privately under Dr. Chungsun Kim, and is a member of the RHS Symphonic Orchestra under the baton of Michael McNamara.
In addition to the Symphonic Orchestra at RHS, Idone is involved with the Cello Ensemble, Boys Ice Hockey, Boys Tennis, and Future Business Leaders of America. The RHS Music community congratulates Henry Idone on his accomplishments and wishes him the best at Carnegie Hall in November.