CIM Announces Winners of Annual Concerto Competitions

The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM) has announced the winners of its annual CIM Concerto Competition and CIM Virtuosi Concerto Competition, recognizing two outstanding student musicians who will have the opportunity to perform as soloists with CIM’s orchestral ensembles during the spring 2027 semester. 

Bassoonist Enhe “Enoch” Shu, a student of John Clouser, has been named the winner of the CIM Virtuosi Concerto Competition. Enoch will perform Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s Bassoon Concerto with Todd Phillips and the CIM Virtuosi on Feb. 24.  

Saxophonist Carter Doolittle, a student of faculty members Steven Banks, Julian Velasco, and Valentin Kovalev, has been named the winner of the CIM Concerto Competition. Carter will perform A Kind of Trane by Guillaume Connesson with the CIM Orchestra on March 4, under the direction of conductor Darko Butorac. 

Elora Kares, a cello student of Si-Yan Darren Li, was named runner-up in the competition and will have the opportunity to rehearse her work in a reading session with the repertoire orchestra.  Elora will perform Ernest Bloch’s Schelomo: Rhapsodie Hébraïque for Violoncello and Orchestra. 

“These competitions represent an important opportunity for our students to demonstrate the artistry, discipline and musical excellence they bring to their work at CIM,” said Scott Harrison, Executive Vice President and Provost. “Performing a concerto with an orchestra is a significant milestone in a young musician’s development, providing invaluable experience as a soloist while preparing them for the collaborative and performance demands of a professional career. We are proud of Carter, Enoch and Elora, and look forward to sharing their performances with our community this spring.” 

The performances are open to the public. Additional information about concert programs, tickets, and upcoming CIM performances is available at cim.edu.