Top student musicians honored at OBU’s annual Concerto Competition
December 16, 2010 - Breanne Goodrum
John Ashburn, a senior instrumental music education major from Monroe, La., earned
first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s 5th annual Wind and Percussion Concerto Competition, held Dec. 10 on the university’s
campus.
Ashburn, who performed Paul Creston’s “Concerto for Alto Saxophone,” received $500
and an opportunity to perform with OBU’s wind ensemble during their spring tour as
part of his first place honors.
The competition provides “an opportunity for instrumental music majors to work on
challenging literature and perform it for an audience and judges,” Ashburn said. “Even
if you do not place in the competition, it is a wonderful experience for something
such as an audition because you get to deal with pressure and nerves.“
Earning second place and $300 was Elyse Senteney, a sophomore instrumental music education
major from Plano, Texas. Earning third place and $200 was Leah Jones, a senior instrumental
music education major from Burkburnett, Texas.
Senteney said that even in such a competitive environment, the participating students
felt a spirit of community and “continually encouraged other performers while backstage
by silently cheering on the musicians when they hit the high notes or got through
difficult, technical passages.”
After completing one year of undergraduate study and gaining their instructors’ approval,
the 14 competing students each performed one musical number “showcasing their talent
and growing abilities,” said Kristin Grant, OBU instructor of music.
Participants were given the option to perform either a piece of musical literature
in the form of a concerto, a multi-movement work or another piece of music that included
a wind ensemble accompaniment.
For more information about the annual competition, contact Kristin Grant at [email protected] or (870) 245-5518.
By Breanne Goodrum
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