Career-boosting Young Concert Artists organization is celebrating its 50th anniversary

Canadian violinist Scott St. John and the St. Lawrence String Quartet have more than each other in common: they are also alumni -- from different years -- of the annual Young Concert Artists Inc. competition.

The New York City-based organization, which is dedicated to giving promising young talents a practical career boost, is celebrating its 50th anniversary as it prepares for its next round of competitors,arriving in just over a week.

Guelph-based freelancer writer Marcia Adair wrote an excellent feature on Young Concert Artists for today's Los Angeles Times. It's an inspirational read.

Here is a promotional trailer the organization prepared for its anniversary: