Arts and Culture

This teenage musician is asking for your help on an international stage

Local double bass player close to victory

  • Only Canadian left in junior division
  • Looking for first competition victory
  • Group effort to get this far and continue on

A double bass isn’t a common instrument kids who want to take up music turn to.

But for 13-year-old Nicholas Covaser, it’s worked out just fine.

He is currently in the semi-finals of the WorldVision Music Competition junior division and is asking for support to make it to the next round.

A jury will judge his third recorded video, and the public can vote to help him move on. Combined scores from both are used to place participants.

Covaser finished first in the both the regional and national rounds.

The winner receives €10,000, plus an opportunity to participate in a concert at a major venue, be it Philharmonie Berlin, Carnegie Hall in New York, or Zaryadye Hall in Moscow, dependent on COVID-19 restrictions.

He is the only Canadian left in his age bracket. Across the entire competition, applications came in from over 80 countries.

The contest is designed as a coming-together of young musicians from around the globe to share experiences.

Covaser started playing piano when he was just five years old. Three years later, he started to play violin. He took up the double bass the next year to play alongside his older brother in jazz band. It quickly became his favourite instrument, he said.

Though this isn’t his first competition, he said he entered for the added experience.

“This competition has increased my popularity a little bit since I’ve been sending the videos to my family and friends,” Covaser said. “It’s going to be a good feeling to just to be able and win something. I haven’t won other competitions and with the cash prize, if I win, I’m going to use that to buy a new solo bass.”

His mom, Ana-Maria, said musicians have been through a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic and feels the timing of the competition couldn’t have been better.

“It’s a metaphor because it’s not about Nicholas anymore, it’s about the entire community,” she said.

Music, she said, involves a team effort. And to be in a competition of the same realm, is rewarding.

“Being a representative of this teamwork, gives this community hope and that means a lot to us.”

Covaser’s performances can be found online. Voting closes Feb. 10.

Published 2022-02-01 by Connor Chan

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