Ouachita Stories

Caitlin Secrest, a sophomore vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark., was awarded first place in Ouachita Baptist University’s 2012 Shambarger Competition for Singers.

“It still hasn’t registered; I was completely shocked by the whole thing,” Secrest said. “I am honored that I came out on top for this one.”

Secrest earned first place and $500 for her performance of the art song “Il bacio,” composed by Luigi Arditi.

The Shambarger Competition, established in 1999 in honor of OBU Professor Emerita of Music Mary Shambarger, features a repertoire which rotates every three years. This year’s genre was art songs, which are classical pieces that are not from an opera or an oratorio. This year’s art song competition featured 17 singers from Ouachita’s vocal studies program.

“For a performer, any performance is a good one,” Secrest said. “I try to keep performing at all times. It’s a great way to get experience dealing with nerves.”

Secrest is taught by both Dr. Glenda Secrest, professor of music, and Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music and coordinator of vocal studies.

“We prepare our students for this competition so that they can each be competitive, working towards the ‘total package,’” Dr. Glenda Secrest said. “Caitlin worked diligently, and it paid off.”

Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, placed second in the competition.

“It’s great experience and practice,” Johnson said. “It helps you grow as a musician—plus it’s fun.”

Johnson earned second place and $300 for her performance of the art song “La Danza,” composed by Gioacchino Rossini.

“‘La Danza’ is a fast, competitive piece,” Johnson said. “It is very challenging and keeps you on your toes. It was nerve-wracking because I’ve never done this piece before.”

Johnson was coached by Dr. Jon Secrest and Louis Menendez.

“Dr. J helped me work on stage presence,” Johnson said. “He teaches technique and how to approach the work as a whole to make the best sounds possible.”

Meredith Martin, a sophomore choral music education major from Garland, Texas, earned third place and $200 for her performance of “Spring,” composed by Dominick Argento. Martin is a student of Dr. Margaret Garrett, assistant professor of music.

Rachel Harris, a senior vocal performance and musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark., earned fourth place and $100 for her performance of “Alleluia,” composed by Ned Rorem. Harris is also a student of Garrett.

Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre major fromArlington, Texas, and John Tneoh, a junior vocal performance major from Sungai Pentani, Thailand, earned an honorable mention and $50 each for their performances. Lagunas performed “O del mio amato ben,” composed by Stefano Donaudy. Tneoh performed “Le Manoir de Rosemonde,” composed by Henri Duparc. Lagunas is a student of Dr. Glenda Secrest, and Tneoh is a student of Dr. Jon Secrest.

For more information, contact Dr. Jon Secrest at [email protected] or (870) 245-5134.

By Kaycee Giammarco