Friday Morning Music Club

Additionally, during this period, Miss Gretchen Hood, the opera singer, bequeathed money in her will to assist promising young musicians in their concert careers.

[3] Over the years, notable winners have included: Jessye Norman, Gwendolyn Bradley, Jane Coop,[4] (who is also a judge of the competition), Sofya Gulyak, and Jie Chen.

[5] The Foundation continues to hold annual competitions alternating among pianists, singers, string players and composers, and grants awards.

The most recent Washington International Competition, for piano, was held in May 2024 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

[8] The Foundation also holds the Johansen International Competition for Young String Players (JIC) every three years; contestants are ages 13-17.

Members of the Arioso Chorale and Orchestra during a concert at Lutheran Church of the Reformation